The Women’s singles semi finals have just been played with Kelly Sibley (England Senior number 1 and National Champion in 2007/8) taking a 4-0 victory over brave finalist Emily Bates (England number 1 Junior girl) to secure yet another National Singles final place over her England International team mate and rival Jo Parker. Emily was not overawed by the occasion and in the second game took Kelly to deuce but the number 1 seed Sibley proved a bridge too far for the much less experienced junior, however Emily’s  time will come!

Kelly Sibley (Wa) beat Emily Bates (Li) 11-7, 13-11, 11-6, 11-8.

In the second staged semi final Jo Parker(National Champion in 2008/9 and 2009/10)  had defended in her usual inimitable style to chop, chisel, and attack at every opportunity to make her way to the final against a very spirited Lauren Spink from Norfolk by 4 games to 1. It was a brilliant match that ebbed and flowed with the patient attacking style of Spink interspersed with cute short pushes, compared to Jo who uses heavy chop and float balls often with little underspin and it was certainly a wonderful spectator match to watch. Jo with her poetry in motion defensive style is now firmly on course to take a third consecutive National Singles Champion but Kelly Sibley her opponent in the final scheduled for 4pm might have other ideas!

Jo Parker (Sy) beat Lauren Spink (Nk) 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7

By Geoff Ware.