Report by Holly Holder
Worthing’s women were out in force for the first weekend of this season’s Women’s British Clubs League, held in Wolverhampton. Despite several last minute injuries, the club successfully fielded four teams across four divisions, with all the players putting in a great team performance. Worthing TTC’s Mirna Hawat coached the teams, successfully dashing between divisions where needed! Worthing Umpires Juan Da Silva and James Pettigrew helped to officiate the event.
In Division 1, Worthing A had a fantastic weekend, finishing jointly top on points. Captain Sally Hughes took on the formidable job of playing at number 1 and had some great battles, including an excellent win over England rated number 16, Letitia McMullan. Darcie Proud scored an impressive 70% average playing at number 2 in her first season with the club, with terrific wins against England rated 11, Ewelina Sychta, and Ireland ranked number 5, Sabina Devereux, alongside Hughes. Holly Holder brought up the rear at number 3, also on 70%, with a good win against England rated 27, Mia Lakhani. The team’s strong performance sets them up for an exciting second weekend finale next year.
Worthing B finished 4th in Division 3, with Sally (Lok Sze) Sum, Alice Rice, and new player Lily Walters putting out a great performance against solid opposition. Number 1 Sum battled through a 17-15 4th game to defeat England rated 52, Hanne Pui Yu Chui, alongside several other strong matches. Number 2 Rice also had a solid weekend, with a good win over England rated number 55 Aneta Kula, and finished on 50% alongside Sum. Walters, playing at number 3, defeated England rated number 82 Francesca Currie alongside Sum, leading to a storming 6-0 win over Halton TTC 2, aided by Rice’s good wins. The team will be aiming to build on their good start and finish strongly after the final weekend.
Worthing C finished 5th in Division 4, with some tough matches, but still have everything to play for with only a couple of points separating them from 3rd. New player Maja Wadowska started her Worthing career strongly, finishing on 60% and getting a good win over England rated number 69, Angelina Harea. Sasha Lewis, playing up from Worthing D, won a five set battle against England rated number 121, Chloe Pryke. Alesha Ellis-Austin achieved a double victory against Greenhouse Women 2, helping the team to a strong 5-1 win. Kathryn Silcock also got a good win over Harea. The team’s determination have set them up for an exciting battle at the finale weekend.
New team Worthing D debuted strongly in the expanded Division 6, finishing 6th in the table within touching distance of their closest rivals. Sasha Lewis beat England rated number 116, Aliya Zhuzbayeva, and along with Juste Nevar and Donna Hammond, led the team to an impressive 6-0 win over Highfield Titans. Grace Liu beat England rated number 117 Mindy Gao and picked up two good wins against Brighton TTC B, finishing on 50% alongside Lewis. Along with her win against Zhuzbayeva, Juste Nevar also defeated England rated number 146, Juliet Bertie. Worthing TTC coach Donna Hammond also put in a strong performance for the team and beat Bertie, alongside her Lewis’ and Nevar’s doubles against Highfield Titans.
Worthing TTC Head Coach Matt Porter was unable to make the first weekend but was integral to the success of the teams, helping with training preparations and tactics. Overall the club had a fantastic weekend both on and off the table, and will be looking to build on their successes at the finale weekend, held in Wolverhampton on Jan 31st-Feb 1st 2026.
