Melbourn Squash Club member Kate Bradshaw was the star of the show in the Edinburgh leg of this season’s Home Internationals Squash Masters tournament.

The Scottish capital played host to the Women’s and Men’s O45s and O65s events over the May Bank Holiday weekend, with Kate featuring at second string for England in the Women’s O45s section. Day 1 saw England take on Ireland, Kate picking up a 3-0 win (11-5, 11-6, 11-2) victory over Sandra Walsh. This was part of a 20-0 whitewash for the England team. Another comprehensive win (20-2) followed on Day 2 against Wales, Kate again contributing a 3-0 success as she beat Clare Catto 11-4, 11-7, 11-9.

England WO45s team: Kate is second left

Days 1 and 2 were a mere prelude for the final day clash against a strong Scotland team, whose selection this year included some ex-World Tour pros. Just like England Scotland had made short work of Wales and Ireland though they did lose one string 3-2 along the way making the standings England on 40 points and Scotland on 39 ahead of the final round of games. However, with the smallest possible margin of victory being 2 points (14-12), this turned the final day clash into an effective gold medal play-off.

There was pressure on the England players given the country’s strong record in the Women’s O45s category – Nat Townsend’s side travelled north looking to continue a winning streak dating back 20 years. Few opponents during that period have been as worthy as this particular Scotland side, with strings exchanged through the encounter – England going 1-0 up when Kate Fuller won 3-0 at #5, Scotland striking back at #3 through Sabine Mackenzie, only for England to get their noses in front again when top string Catherine Ruffle picked up the third 3-0 of clash. But now things got really interesting as Scotland’s #4 Jean Saldanha edged a tight encounter with Caroline Hazelwood 3-2 to send this year’s Home International title to the final string of the final match…

… and enter Kate. She was up against her most challenging opponent yet as she took on former World No.37 Lisa McKenna. The home player edged the opening game 11-9, but Kate took a key second on a tie-break (12-10) and then completed the turn-around by edging the third 11-9. Now in control Kate completed a 3-1 victory by claiming game four 11-7, which in turned sealed a 16-7 win for England that saw them retain their title for another year. It wasn’t only Kate’s teammates who were impressed with her performance in the pressure situation – she was awarded the Player of the Tournament trophy across all four categories being played for coming through in the clutch.

England with (still!) their trophy

Kate reflected afterwards “It was an amazing finale to what had been a great weekend of squash. There was a lot of pressure on my match given England's track record of wins, but it was both an honour and a relief to be able to pull through for the team at the end. Looking up to everyone on the balcony after I'd played the final winning point was the best moment of the tournament as I could see just how much it meant to the rest of the England girls.”

Kate with her Player of the Tournament medal