International class players from France, Austria and the home club put on a spectacular show last weekend in the Women's European Cup at Woolwell.

The two second round places were secured on Saturday as both DML Woolwell and CP Lyssois from France had 3-1 victories over Wiener Neudorf. Marketa Myskova was in a class of her own as she secured straight game victories over the two top Austrian players, Monica Jancova and Iva Nemcova. Helen Lambert fought hard but lost in four to Jancova, so it was left to Woolwell captain Liz May to secure the vital third point with an 11-9 11-8 8-11 11-5 victory over Austrian number three Irene Burian.

Sunday's match between the two unbeaten teams was the highlight of the weekend. Marketa's tussle with the French number two, Julia Silvestre pitted the Woolwell player's superb defensive skills against a fine attacking opponent who proved just too strong, winning 11-3 11-9 4-11 11-8. Liz was outclassed by world number 77 Eva Odorova, but Helen put on a brilliant display against Paralympic bronze medallist Claire Marie. A win in five games took the match into a fourth rubber.

Despite being overwhelmed in the first game by the much higher ranked Odorova, Marketa  fought back in a match of the very highest quality, and was only a tantalising unlucky edge from taking the third game before going down 1-11 9-11 12-14. The Woolwell Centre's first ever taste of international sport had been a resounding success.

The team's reward for making progress is a trip to France on November 6^th & 7^th to take on teams from Hungary and Ukraine, as well as the host country.

The DML Woolwell team top the Women's British League Premier Division after the first weekend of matches.