England’s European team success inspired by Beddoes and Perry

Sarah-Jane Perry and Emma Beddoes gained pivotal wins as England won the European Women’s Team Championship for the fifth consecutive year.

Despite missing world number four Laura Massaro, who is taking a break from competitive squash, England underlined their strength in depth by claiming the title with a 2-1 win over France in a hard-fought final.

England received the perfect start when Kenilworth’s Perry defeated Coline Aumard, the world number four 11-4, 11-6, 2-11, 11-6 in 36 minutes.

France levelled when Camille Serme, repeated her recent Windy City open victory over Middlesex’s Alison Waters at the top of the order.

Waters’ 7-11, 4-11, 11-9, 5-11 defeat was England’s first lost rubber in this year’s championship.

It then all came down to the no.3s and Leamington-born Beddoes proved too strong for world number 56 Laura Pomportes as she powered home 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 in 29 minutes.