SUSIE Pierrepoint has been chosen to represent England in the European Under-15 Championships in Germany next week after taking on the men and beating them.

The 14-year-old, from Brighton, has been rewarded for her superb recent form. She has won the Sussex under-19 crown, guided the county into the semi-finals of the National Under-17s Inter-County Championships and beaten adult male players for Brighton Club in the Sussex League.

"I'm really chuffed to get in the Europeans and taking on the men has certainly helped me improve. They move faster, hit harder and play longer but I try to get them to run themselves out a little and then beat them. They don't like being beaten.

"The National under-17s is also good experience for me as was a British Grand Prix event for the same age group. I was runner-up in that.

Pierrepoint, a Brighton College pupil, added: "I'm grateful for all the support my school gives and and the coaching I get from Michael Harris and I hope I can do everyone proud and help England win gold in Germany.

"I think we've got a chance because we've got a strong team. This country is one of the best in the world. The girls have been runner-up in the world under-19s and the boys have won it.

"It's been going very well for me lately but the Europeans will be the biggest event I've played in. I'm really looking forward to it."

Susie, ranked national No.1 in her age group and one of the youngest winners of the Sussex senior girls title, is coached by Michael Harris, who also guides senior world No.5 Linda Charman.

He said: "Winning above your age group is not an easy thing to do. Her performance in the Grand Prix was superb as only the top 16 in the country at under-17s can compete in that. But she is that good.

"I'm pleased about her selection for Europeans. It is fully deserved and I wish her the best of luck."

Meanwhile, Sussex under 15s, national champions last season, have reached the semi-finals of this year's event in January.

They beat Dorset and South Glamorgan both 5-0 but lost narrowly to Kent 3-2 at Chichester.

All Sussex players won in straight games in the Dorset and South Glamorgan matches, but Kent proved much tougher opposition with only Jordan Sopp and Philip Taylor coming out on top.

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