Hird & Cooley Win Ten In A Row

23/05/22: Top seeds and defending champions Karen Hird & Charlotta Cooley produced another dominant performance to win their tenth successive final in the Ladies Championships in association with Advanta Wealth at Eton on Sunday.

K.Hird & C.Cooley beat E.Scoones & A.Lumbard 3-0 (12-4, 12-1, 12-1)

Watch the match here: GAME ONE   GAME TWO   GAME THREE

Delays to the semi-finals due to injury and illness meant that the final this year was taking place rather later than usual (although not as late as the last two years for rather different reasons!). 

A sunny day at Eton meant warm temperatures on court and the spectators having to find ways of staying in the shade; the crowd also needed to have been there on time as Karen & Charlotta got off to a blistering start, reeling off four points from the first four rallies of the match, thus setting the tone for a comprehensive display. Ashley & Emily have pushed the champions hard in previous finals but this year has seen Ashley gradually working her way back after her maternity leave. She and Emily put in a fine effort to make the final again and as the match progressed so did their level with plenty of fine shots and entertaining rallies.

Karen & Charlotta were always on top, however, dominating the set piece, controlling the rally play and able to deal comfortably with whatever Ashley & Emily threw at them. There was plenty to enjoy and admire from all four players on court but the eventual outcome was never really in any doubt and the champions wrapped up a tenth successive win in the competition in little more than an hour's play.

The match will be available to watch on the EFA's YouTube channel in due course.

Thanks go to Advanta Wealth for their continued sponsorship, to Eton for hosting the tournament, to Mandie Barnes for her organisational work, Chris Lumbard for his work on the recording and to all those who played in this year's tournament