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Bank
of Bermuda Foundation
Individual
Junior CASA 2008 TEAMS, 16-19 July |
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19-Jul-08:
Guyana retain Girls title
Roger Sherratt reports
There was never any doubt as to which team would win the Girls Team
Championship in the Bank of Bermuda Junior CASA Squash Tournament.
Guyana has completely dominated the Girls Division and had already
won three of the four individual titles. They showed no mercy on
hosts Bermuda, completing a clean sweep of all five matches without
conceding a single game.
Mary Fung-a-fat, in Girls Under 15, started the ball rolling
with a comprehensive 9-0,9-0,9-0 win over Bermuda's Alex Marshall.
This was the third successive match in which Fung-a-fat has not
conceded a point.
 In
the second match Kelly Barnes started well, taking the first
2 points from Guyana's Under 17 individual champion, Keisha
Jeffrey, and she continued to have some great rallies with the
Guyana #1, but Jeffrey was just too strong in all aspects of the
game, and always had the ability to kill the ball. The final score
in this match 9-2, 9-0, 9-0 for Jeffrey.
At this point Bermuda had been completely outclassed, but during the
next match, the Under 19 #1 between Rachel Barnes (Ber) and
Daina King (Guy) the home spectators finally had something to
cheer about as Barnes immediately went on the attack, playing deep
and winning her share of points in the first game. It was close 9-7
for King but Barnes had shown that she does have the speed and power
to play at a higher level. She continued to play well in the second
game but King began to ease ahead and won it 9-4. She conceded just
one point in the third game, and Guyana had by this time won the
Girls Team Championship.
 Next
on court were the Under 13's, with Bermuda's Emma Keane
facing the Girls Under 13 champion for the last two years,
Victoria Arjoon (Guy), who is an exceptional young squash
player. Arjoon won the first game 9-2 although Keane was still in
the rallies and fighting hard. In the second Keane really came into
her own, attacking the ball, driving well and causing Arjoon to look
unsettled for the first time in the championships.
Keane streaked ahead to 7-0 before Arjoon settled down and got back
on track. She levelled at 7-7 and went on to win the game 9-7. By
this time Keane was beginning to tire while the young Guayana star
was in full flow. Arjoon cruised through the third game without
dropping a further point.
 The
last match of the Team Finals saw Jenni Schroder for Bermuda
taking on the Under 17 individual finalist, Kayla Jeffrey
whose twin sister had beaten her in the Final. Schroder and Jeffrey
were playing as the Under 19 #2's. Jeffrey was clearly the much
stronger player and won the first two games without dropping a
point, but as with all of the Bermuda players, Schroder showed
fighting spirit and managed to score two points in the third before
it was over.
Guyana will be crowned champions following the Boys Team final this
afternoon.
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The Tilt Show
Photo Gallery
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 "Our
team performed much better than I expected, especially because
looking at the Bermuda Boys Team we knew they would be the big
hurdle; without doubt the hardest challenge we had in the
Championships. Our Boys played well.
"We lost the first at Under 15. We were hoping that Abhishek could
take that one but knew it would be very difficult against Noah. We
had no doubt about Under 17. Alex would win this but I thought
Kristian played well.
"When it came to Robbie Maycock we didn’t delude ourselves into
thinking we could get past him. However, he brought out the best in
Raphael who played at his best and performed very well. That’s all
we could ask of him. We greatly admire Robbie and his squash
ability. He’s obviously very well coached and very disciplined.
 "At
Under 13 we thought on paper we should win. Nevertheless, we took no
chances and Nyron was instructed to go flat out - no fancy
shots. He did just that.
"The Under 19 #2’s we expected to win but knew that Oliver Kear-Downs
had his work cut out for him against Micah. The only way he could
beat such a skilful player was to tire him out, and there were
moments when we weren’t sure which way the match would go. Oliver
stuck to his game, which wasn’t an easy one as it could backfire if
he got himself tired. The result speaks for itself.
"All in all I would say we were glad Bermuda was the last team to
play against (in the Boys Team event). It was a great experience for
our boys and they’ve seen what they have to improve on.
 "The
Girls did exceptionally well. I have to say they are easier to
coach, and right now we have a great group. Part of the secret of
our success is good management under Robert Fernandes, along with
good support from the parents of our players. I’m lucky to have a
very talented group.
"On a personal, note I would like to acknowledge the help I received
as a coach from David Pearson, England National Coach, and Peter
Hurst of England Squash. I had the privilege of being coached and
interacting with these two at the National Squash Centre in
Manchester. They were a great inspiration to me."
Guyana team coach |
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Guyana Boys triumph
in an epic final ...
The Boys Team Final in the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA
Squash Championship 2008, proved to be the perfect finale to the
championships for everyone, that is, except a disappointed Bermuda
Team who can only wonder what might have been but for an unfortunate
fall by one of their stars in the last match.
The Bermuda team started well as there Under 15 Noah Browne
stepped on court on against Abhishek Singh. Brown, who is
well over 6 feet tall, used his height and reach to great advantage,
cutting off any loose cross court shots and being able to play
winners without undue pressure. He dropped just two points in the
third game for a convincing win - first blood to Bermuda.
The second match was a very fast paced encounter between Under 17's
Kristian Muldoon for Bermuda and Alex Arjoon for
Guyana. Arjoon is a hard hitting attacking player but Muldoon was
able to match him stroke for stroke. Both displayed great
athleticism and stroke play, with Arjoon playing just slightly
better length and with slightly more accuracy, especially on
his forehand. He gradually eased ahead to win the first game 9-4.
In the second Arjoon maintained the furious pace, keeping Muldoon
constantly changing direction and having to work harder for each
point. As Muldoon began to show signs of tiring the young Guyanan
began to utilize his effective drops to wins points. He won the
second 9-4 and all looked lost for Muldoon, who then showed his
grit and determination as he continued to chase every ball in the
third. On several occasions he had Arjoon running corner to
corner, but Arjoon is clearly one of the fittest juniors in these
championships and his "never say die" attitude won him points that
other players might have given up on. He eventually proved too
strong for Muldoon and won the third game 9-6 to take the match.
At one match each, it was the turn of the Under 19 #1's, with
Robbie Maycock, the Under 19 individual champion stepping on
court after his shock loss to Joe Chapman the previous day (Maycock
had beaten Chapman comfortably in the individual finals by the same
score), and Bermuda fans wondered with their star would have another
uncharacteristic off day when it mattered the most.
Maycock was facing Raphael deGroot and he quickly dispelled
any doubt about his intentions, starting confidently. He took an
early lead in the first game, made few mistakes, and kept deGroot
on the defensive. Maycock won it 9-3, and the second game followed a
similar pattern. deGroote, however, was still very much in the game
and he chased everything Maycock could hit. At 2-0 for Maycock they
had a superb rally, both making miraculous recoveries to keep the
rally going. Maycock finished it off, or so everyone in the gallery
thought, by playing a ball that was impossible for deGroot to
retrieve but he hurled himself across the court, falling full length
on the floor, while keeping the ball in play. Maycock flicked the
ball to the back of the court, and deGrotte made a superhuman effort
to jump up and chase it - this time to no avail, but to the roars
of appreciation from cheering spectators for his valiant effort.
Maycock continued to keep deGroot under pressure and took the second
game 9-2, then cruised through the third 9-0 to record the win for
Bermuda. The captain had given his team the lead.
With possible victory in sight for Bermuda, their Under 13 hopeful,
Beckett Simmons, was next, playing against Nyron Joseph
for Guyana. Joseph proved too tough for Simmons and was able to
coast through with a 3-0 win to level the overall match scores at
2-2.
The decider was between Micah Franklin for Bermuda and
Oliver Kear-Downs for Guyana. With the combined hopes of both
their teammates and fans, have these two youngsters ever played
under such pressure? There was just one concern for the Bermuda
contingent. Franklin had missed the semi-finals due to a slight
groin strain and they wondered if he was match fit.
This promised to be a superb match - and it lived up to its billing
at the start. Both players ran incessantly, played great shots,
had lengthy rallies which had the gallery cheering every point.
Kear-Downs won the first game 9-3, but Franklin fought back in the
second which he won handily 9-3. The battle was on. The two
continued at a frenetic pace at the start of the third until
Franklin, stretching for a ball deep in the back of the courts
slipped, causing him to do the splits. The gallery was quiet for
the first time in the Finals. He was given a couple of minutes to
recover but at the re-start he was clearly limping. He continued to
fight valiantly although it was becoming obvious that he was having
difficulty retrieving from the back of the court. He tried slowing
down the pace but Kear-Downs was having none of it. He went on the
offensive and won the third game 9-5.
Although Franklin gamely played on, he looked uncomfortable, and
exhausted, and Kear-Downs won the last game 9-0 to win the last
match of the championship and secure the Boys Team Title for Guyana.
This Championship has been played in the true spirit of the game of
squash, and all credit to the players, their managers and coaches,
the organizers and volunteers, the spectators, and all the parents
who support their kids and their squash clubs throughout the
Caribbean.
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Day
Four Results
BOYS FINAL
Guyana bt Bermuda 3-2
U19 1. Raphael deGroot lt
Robert Maycock 3-9, 3-9,
0-9
U19 2. Oliver Kear-Downs bt Micah Franklin
9-3, 3-9, 9-5, 9-0
U17 Alexander Arjoon bt Kristian Muldoon
9-4, 9-4, 9-6
U15 Abhishek Singh lt Noah Browne
2-9, 0-9, 2-9
U13 Nyron Joseph bt Beckett Simmons
9-1, 9-2, 9-0
BOYS 3rd – 4th Playoff
Trinidad & Tobago bt OECS 3-2
U19 1. Kale Wilson lt Joe Chapman
2-9, 3-9, 3-9
U19 2. Justin Sanguinette bt Jules Snagg
9-4, 9-1, 9-0
U17 Ryan Bayne bt Stefan Joseph
9-3, 9-2, 9-1
U15 Mandela Patrick lt Kevin Hannaway
3-9, 1-9, 2-9
U13 Nku Patrick bt Rory Thornton
9-4, 9-6, 9-4
BOYS 5th – 6th Playoff
Cayman bt Jamaica 3-2
U19 1. Jake Kelly bt Bruce Burrotes
9-6, 9-5, 8-9, 4-9, 9-8
U19 2. Ryan McConvey bt Stephen Reid
9-1, 9-1, 9-1
U17 Cameron Stafford bt David Lawrence
9-1, 9-2, 9-0
U15 Nicholas Cameron lt Joshua Mahfood
6-9, 3-9, 7-9
U13 Iain McCallum lt Jake Mahfood
1-9, 2-9, 3-9
GIRLS FINAL
Guyana bt Bermuda 5-0
U19 1. Daina King bt Rachel Barnes
9-7, 9-4, 9-1
U19 2. Kayla Jeffrey bt Jenni Schroder
9-0, 9-0, 9-5
U17 Keisha Jeffrey bt Kelly Barnes
9-2, 9-0, 9-3
U15 Mary Fung-a-fat bt Alex Marshall
9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U13 Victoria Arjoon bt Emma Keane
9-1, 9-7, 9-0
GIRLS 3rd – 4th Playoff
Trinidad & Tobago bt Jamaica 4-1
U19 1. Kerrie Sample bt Kristine Bell
9-1, 9-0, 9-6
U19 2. Amy Gillezeau bt Lauren Mahfood 9-10,
9-0, 9-3, 9-0
U17 Jessica Scott lt Brooke Burrowes
10-9, 4-9, 6-9, 7-9
U15 Talia Abdool bt Justine Anderson
2-9, 9-7, 9-7, 8-10, 9-6
U13 Charlotte Knaggs bt Mary-Jo Mahfood 9-5, 9-7, 5-9,
9-1
GIRLS 5th – 6th Playoff
Barbados bt Cayman 4-1
U19 1. Cheri-Ann Parris bt Samantha Hennings 9-2, 9-1,
9-2
U19 2. Zoe Lisk lt Courtney Stafford
2-9, 2-9, 2-9
U17 Kennilee Ward bt Claire Patrick
9-0, 10-8, 9-1
U15 Asha Gibbs bt Kristina Myren
10-8, 9-1, 9-2
U13 Gylla Mackenzie bt
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18-Jul-08:
Teams
day Three - It's Bermuda v Guyana
x 2
Boys Semi-Finals:
[4] Bermuda 3-2 [7]
OECS [1] T&T 2-3 [2] Guyana
Girls Semi-Finals: [1] Guyana 5-0
[3] Jamaica [2] T&T 2-3 [4] Bermuda
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18-Jul-08:
Teams Semi-Finals
Roger Sherratt reports
 The
Girls semi-final matches were played in the morning of the third day
in the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA Squash Team
Championships in Bermuda, with the all-powerful Guyana Girls Team
taking on Jamaica, while hosts Bermuda played Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the form books Guyana would have no difficulty
disposing of Jamaica, while #2 seeds Trinidad and Tobago were
expected to move through to the finals against $4 seeds, Bermuda,
who had comprehensively lost to Guyana the previous day.
Guyana 5-0 Jamaica
Any team facing the all-powerful Guyana Girls Team in this
championship is on a hiding to nothing, and today was no exception.
Guyana made a clean sweep of all 5 matches, and lost just one single
game in the process.
All credit to Jamaica’s Under 19 #1 Daina King, who breezed
through the first game 9-1 against Kristine Bell (Guy). Bell
may be a slow starter but she woke up in the second game to win it
9-0,and the next two 9-4, 9-6. King did well to take a game and put
up a creditable performance.
Guyana’s Under 13 individual champion Victoria Arjoon has
never looked in any danger of losing in these championships and she
continued her winning ways as she beat Mary Mahfood 3-0.
In Under 15, Mary Fung-a-fat was totally dominant against
Jessica Perkins (Jam) winning with a clean sheet, the second
consecutive match in which this consummate young player has not
conceded a point.
In Under 17 Brooke Burrowes (Jam) played beautifully in the
first game against Under 17 individual champion, Keisha Jeffrey.
Jeffrey won a close one 10-8 then quickly polished off the next two
games. Her twin sister, Kayla, playing at Under 19 #2,
completed the 5-0 win for Guyana with a straight games win over
Lauren Mahfood who played well in a losing cause.
Bermuda 3-2 Trinidad and Tobago
The #4 seeded Bermuda Girls Team pulled off an upset in 2007 by
qualifying for the Girls Team finals, and were looking for a repeat
performance when they took on #2 seeded Trinidad & Tobago.
First on court for Bermuda was Alex Marshall in Under 15,
playing against Emily Farah (T&T). Marshall had earlier lost
in the individual competition and had also lost both of her previous
team matches, but she played at her best for the first two games,
winning them 9-7, 9-3,and reached 8-3 in the third before Farah made
a determined fight back to 7-8. Marshall earned back her service and
converted the all-important match point. A promising start for
Bermuda.
Next up for Bermuda was Jennie Schroder, playing at Under 19
#2, against Amy “Jumbie” Gillezeau. This is Schroder’s first
time playing in the Bermuda Squad, and she played well but was
outclassed by Gillezeau who won their match 3-0.
In Under 19 #1 Kerrie Sample of Trinidad and Tobago had
earlier won the individual Under 19 title, and is a very impressive
player who ranks in the top ten in Girls Under 19 in the U.K. She
played Rachel Barnes who has greatly improved this season,
but Sample was much too strong and eased through 3-0.
Already down 2-1, it was up to Bermuda’s Under 13, Emma Keane,
whose only loss in the championship so far had been to the #1 seed
from Guyana in the final of the individual championship. Keane was
facing Charlotte Knaggs in this crucial match. She started
well, striking the ball hard to the back of the court, and Keane won
the first two games 9-7, 9-2.
Knaggs came back in the third and played with much more confidence,
while Keane lost several points with loose drop shots. Knaggs raced
into the lead and won the game 9-5. In the fourth these two had
spectators on the edge of their seats as both played great shots and
then followed with unforced errors made under pressure. Keane,
however, was able to raise her game just enough to play a series of
winners to seal the match and give her team a fighting chance to
reach the final, depending on the outcome of the last match of the
morning.
This was a rousing Under 17 match between local hero Kelly Barnes
and Jessica Scott (T&T). Kelly’s sister Rachel had narrowly
beaten Jessica earlier in individual competition, and with Kelly
ranked above her sister, the Bermuda contingent was optimistic.
Scott, though, had other ideas and she raced off to a great start,
winning the first game 9-1,and continuing to dominate the T at the
start of the second. Barnes slowly worked her way back into the
match and eased ahead in the second to win it 9-7. She did the same
in the third, winning it 9-7, even though these two were even closer
than the score suggests.
Much to the relief of her teammates, Barnes pushed ahead in the
fourth and was able to seal the match 1-9, 9-7,9-7, 9-2, to take a
much relieved Bermuda Girls Team into the Finals on Saturday morning
against the all powerful Guyana Girls.
Boys Team
semi-finals
Bermuda 3-2 OECS
The Bermuda Boys Team had their share of ups and downs in their
semi-final match against OECS, particularly after a shock loss in
straight games by Bermuda’s Under 19 individual champion, Robbie
Maycock, against Joe Chapman (OECS) who Maycock had earlier beaten
in straight games in the individual final.
But first on court for Bermuda was Under 15 Noah Browne
against Kevan Hannaway (OECS) in a repeat of their Under 15
final in the individual championship. Once again, Hannaway, a truly
outstanding young player, proved too strong for Browne, winning the
match 3-0.
Next up was James Stout as Bermuda’s Under 19 #2 substitute
in place of Micah Franklin who was recovering from a minor
injury following his brilliant win the day before. Stout was playing
Jules Snaggs (OECS), and despite having to step up an age group he
showed that he could handle a racket as well as his older brothers.
Stout won his match comfortably 9-6, 9-4, 9-7.
Robbie Maycock was somewhat lacklustre against his arch rival
in Caribbean squash and never got into his stride against Joe
Chapman who played a very effective short game while Maycock
made numerous unforced errors. He had not lost to Chapman in recent
tournaments and this was definitely Chapman’s day. He won in fine
style 9-6, 9-3, 9-6.
At this point, with their team down 2-1, Bermuda’s chances of
reaching the Boys Team finals, were in serious jeopardy. Their hopes
rested on Under 13, Beckett Simmons, who was playing Rory
Thornton (OECS). Thornton dominated the beginning of their
match. Their first game was very close, with Thornton winning it
10-8.
Thornton surged ahead in the second and reached 8-3 to serve for the
game, but at this point Simmons decided it was time to spring into
action. He won back the serve and then won seven straight points to
take the game 10-8. Simmons has been improving with every match
during these championships, and he showed just how much as he
demonstrated good shot selection and a cool temperament under
pressure for the rest of his match. He won the third game handily
9-2, and raced through the fourth 9-1 to give his team a realistic
chance to reach the finals.
The deciding match was between the Under 17’s, Kristian Muldoon
for Bermuda and Stefan Joseph for OECS. To be fair to Joseph
he had to step up an age group and was up against a strong player in
Muldoon, who put on an exhibition and won in three straight games.
Bermuda Boy’s Team had managed to emulate their Girls Team to reach
the Team Finals.
Guyana 3-2 Trinidad and Tobago
This was definitely a “noisy” affair with supporters of both teams
having much to cheer until the very last point of the last game.
Guyana Under19 #1 Raphael deGroot had a straightforward win
against Adrian Dyer (T&T) in three straight games, while
fellow Under 19 #2 Oliver Kear-Downs started slowly, losing
the first game, before bouncing back to defeat Kevin Ross
(T&T) in the next three games 9-3, 9-0, 9-1.
Under 13 individual champion, Nku Patrick (T&T), faced
Nyron Joseph (Guy) and these two talented players impressed with
their range of strokes and ability to move around the court. Patrick
was the stronger player and won the match 3-1, At this point Guyana
had a 2-1 lead in matches and one more win would seal their place in
the final.
It was now the turn of Nku’s older brother, Mandela, to take
on Guyana’s Under 15, Abhishek Singh, and retain Trinidad and
Tobago’s hopes of reaching the final. This was one of the best
matches of the championships - with strong vocal support from both
sides!
Singh won the first two games 9-6, 10-8, both of which could have
gone either way. Patrick never lost his nerve and started to assert
himself in the third which he won 9-5. It was now Patrick’s turn to
dominate, cruising through the fourth game 9-3. Both players gave
their all in the decider, with Patrick finally winning through 9-5
against his taller opponent to emulate his brother and save the day
for his team - for the moment!
The last match of the day was a superb clash between Under 17’s
Alex Arjoon for Guyana and Kale Wilson for Trinidad and
Tobago. With everything resting on the outcome, both rose to the
occasion and played thrilling rallies. Arjoon won the first two
games, then lost the third. Every game in this match was close, even
the fourth when both players were exhausted.
It was Arjoon who finally triumphed for Guyana 9-5, 9-7, 6-9, 9-6.
Guyana Boys will meet Bermuda Boys in the final on Saturday
afternoon.
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The Tilt Show
SEMI-FINALS:
Boys:
Girls:
Lauren, Josh & Jake Mahfood
Advice for Keane & Knaggs
Beckett Simmons
gives his racket
a rest between games ...
A fine win for Simmons
Thornton & Simmons
 "We
started off badly in the first game. Abhishek wasn’t really expected
to win but it was very close. Then it was our Under 19 #2 Oliver who
we did expect to win. He lost the first game and we had to work out
a game plan which he followed to win through.
"Raphael played very well - no surprise there. Nyron at Under 13 did
his best but he was outplayed. He played all his best shots but they
all kept coming back. Nku is tough.
"Alex's match was the cruncher. If he lost it we were out. Alex
played very well. Kale put everything together. He is such a good
player. Alex had to use long rallies to try to wear him down and it
was a relief to see him win the fourth.
"It should be a really good final because Bermuda has an excellent
Boys Team. We’ll have to play at our very best to win it.
"I’m not worried about our Girls Team!"
Guyana
Bruce & Brooke Burrowes |
It's in the hair ... Bermudian girls fly the flags in support
of their teams ... |
Results July 19, 2008
BOYS SEMI-FINAL
Bermuda bt OECS 3-2
U19 1 Robbie Maycock lt Joe Chapman 6-9, 3-9, 6-9
U19 2 Chris Stout bt Jules Snaggs 9-6, 9-4, 9-7
U17 Kristian Muldoon bt Stefan Joseph 9-1, 9-2, 9-0
U15 Noah Browne lt Kevin Hannaway 5-9, 2-9, 5-9
U13 Beckett Simmons bt Rory Thornton 8-10, 10-8, 9-2, 9-1
Guyana bt Trinidad & Tobago 3-2
U19 1 Raphael De Groot bt Adrian Dyer 9-4, 9-0, 9-1
U19 2 Oliver Kear-Downs bt Kevin Ross 5-9, 9-3, 9-0, 9-1
U17 Alexander Arjoon bt Kale Wilson 9-5, 9-7, 6-9, 9-6
U15 Abhishek Singh lt Mandela Patrick 9-6, 10-8, 5-9, 3-9, 5-9
U13 Nyron Joseph lt Nku Patrick 5-9, 3-9, 7-9
BOYS 5th – 7th Playoff
Cayman bt Barbados 3-2
U19 1 Jake Kelly bt Ciaran Raymer 9-0, 9-0, 9-4
U19 2 Ryan McConvey bt Moishe Steinbok 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U17 Cameron Stafford bt Jonathon O’Dowd 9-2, 9-0, 9-1
U15 Nicholas Cameron lt Matthew Mackenzie 3-9, 10-9, 5-9, 6-9
U13 Iain McCallum lt Stewart St. John 9-0, 10-8, 9-5
GIRLS SEMI-FINAL
Guyana bt Jamaica 5-0
U19 1. Daina King bt Kristine Bell 1-9, 9-0, 9-4, 9-6
U19 2. Kayla Jeffrey bt Lauren Mahfood 9-3, 9-3, 9-4
U17 Keisha Jeffrey bt Brooke Burrowes 10-8, 9-0, 9-0
U15 Mary Fung-a-fat bt Jessica Perkins 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U13 Victoria Arjoon bt Mary Mahfood 9-0, 9-1, 9-1
Bermuda bt Trinidad & Tobago 3-2
U19 1. Rachel Barnes lt Kerrie Sample 1-9, 0-9, 3-9
U19 2. Jenni Schroder lt Amy Gillezeau 2-9, 1-9, 0-9
U17 Kelly Barnes bt Jessica Scott 1-9, 9-7, 9-7, 9-2
U15 Alex Marshall bt Emily Farah 9-7, 9-3, 9-7
U13 Emma Keane bt Charlotte Knaggs 9-7, 9-4, 5-9, 9-5
GIRLS 5th – 7th Playoff
Barbados bt OECS 4-1
U19 1. Cheri-Ann Parris bt
U19 2. Zoe Lisk bt
U17 Kennilee Ward bt Zoe Sorrentino 9-1, 9-6, 10-8
U15 Asha Gibbs bt Kalina Browne 9-7, 4-9, 9-4, 4-9, 9-3
U13 Gylla Mackenzie lt Erika Sorrentino 9-6, 9-2, 4-9, 9-10, 2-9
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17-Jul-08:
Teams
day Two
Roger Sherratt reports
Morning Session
The second day of action in Team competition at the Bank of Bermuda
Foundation Junior CASA Squash Championships, saw hosts, Bermuda
Girls take to the courts for the first time in their round robin
match against Barbados, while Cayman faced Trinidad and Tobago, and
O.E.C.S. were in action against Jamaica.
Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 Cayman
The result of this match was never going to be in doubt, as #2 seeds
Trinidad and Tobago looked far too strong for #6 seeded Cayman who
were unable to field a player in Under 13. Trinidad and Tobago won
all their matches for a 5-0 victory, but not without some spirited
resistance from several Caymanian girls. Samantha Hennings in
particular, played her heart out as the Under 19 #1 against
individual champion, Kerrie Sample (T&T). She even took a 7-3
lead in the first game before Kerrie took control, and she came back
again in the second game, losing it 10-8.
Courtney Stafford also played well at Under 19 #2, against
Amy Gillezeau. Stafford lost the first two games, then fought
back to take the third 9-5. Gillezeau regained the initiative in the
fourth and cruise through 9-2 for a 3-1win.
Jamaica 4-1 OECS
Mary Mahfood playing at Under 13 for Jamaica, and Erika
Sorrentino for OECS, played a truly rip roaring match to
brighten up an otherwise foregone conclusion in the uneven round
robin match between Jamaica and a three girl OECS team. These two
young ladies battled relentlessly in one of the closest matches of
the championships. It all came down to a battle of wills in the 5th
and deciding game, and Sorrentino triumphed 10-8 for her team’s only
win.
Under 17, Brooke Burrowes, and Under 15, Jessica Perkins,
proved too strong for Zoe Sorrentino and Kalina Browne
of OECS, as the Jamaican pair won in straight games.
Bermuda 3-2 Barbados
This was an exciting match up between #4 seeds, Bermuda, and #5
seeds Barbados. Bermuda’s Under 19 #2, Jenni Schroder started
well for the hosts against Zoe Lisk (Bar) winning in straight games,
and Under 13, Emma Keane followed suit against Gylla Mackenzie
(Bar) with a comfortable victory.
It was then the turn of Bermuda’s Under 19 #1, Rachel Barnes,
who normally plays at Under 17, to go on court with Cheri-Ann
Parris who had narrowly lost in the individual final earlier in
the week. Parris is currently ranked as one of the top senior
players in the Caribbean. No-one appeared more surprised than Barnes
when she took a 5-3 lead in the first game! Parris eventually took
the game 9-7, and went on to win the next two games, but Barnes had
to step up a level in this match and should continue to gain in
confidence following a very creditable performance.
The Under 15 match between
Alex Marshall (Bda) and Asha Gibbs (Bar) was an unknown,
with Marshall representing Bermuda for the first time. Both players
appeared nervous at times, but they had a tremendously close match
with the lead constantly changing hands. Even in the fifth and
deciding game, Marshall would take the lead, only to have Gibbs
catch up. The end result was 9-6 to Gibbs and both girls could be
well pleased with their performance.
The deciding match was at Under 17 between Bermuda’s Kelly Barnes
and Tanya Marshall of Barbados. Barnes had beaten Marshall in
the individual tournament 3-0, but team events can always cause
upsets under pressure situations. This was, indeed, a pressure
situation, and Barnes was up to the task for Bermuda. She won the
match 9-3, 9-7, 9-1, to give her team victory in their first team
championship match.
Afternoon Session
Thursday afternoon action resulted in two very closely fought
matches, one between #4 seeds Bermuda and top seeded Trinidad and
Tobago, and the other between #2 seeds Guyana and #3 seeds Cayman,
while the third match between OECS and Jamaica ended with a
comprehensive victory.
OECS 4-1 Jamaica
Bottom seeds OECS played well above their ranking as they defeated
Jamaica 4-1. Under 15 Kevin Hannaway and Under 19 #2 Jules
Snaggs both had comfortable wins for OECS against Josh Mahfood
and Stephen Reid. In Under 13, David Mullings (Jam) won in
straight games against Roy Thornton (OECS). The two other matches in
this section both went to four games. In Under 17, Stefan Joseph
(OECS) and David Lawrence (Jam) were level after two games
before Joseph began to assert himself and won the next two for a 3-1
win. It was the Under 19 #1's who provided the sparks as Bruce
Burrowes (Jam) took on Joe Chapman (OECS) who had
surprisingly lost to Jake Kelly the previous day.
Burrowes started brilliantly, chasing down every ball and keeping
Chapman unsettled. The Jamaican took the first game 9-5 and looked
full of confidence. He started well in the 2nd but Chapman began to
play himself back into the match and decided it was his turn to
apply pressure to Burrowes. Chapman varied his shots and played very
intelligently to keep the ball away from his speedy opponent. He won
games two and three 9-5, 9-5, and by this time Burrowes had run
himself into the ground. Chapman cruised through the last game 9-0.
Guyana 3-2 Cayman
The seedings proved accurate in this line-up between #2 seeded
Guyana and #3 seeded Cayman. Guyana won both Under 13 and Under 15
in straight games as Under 13 Jean Claude Jeffrey defeated
Iain McCallum (Cay), and Abhishek Singh won against
Nick Cameron (Cay). McCallum is the smallest and youngest player
in the tournament and he has improved with every game, as he proved
when refusing to give up in the third game which he narrowly lost
7-9.
In Under 19 #2, Oliver Kear-Downs defeated Ryan McConvey
3-0 to seal the win for Guyana, but these three matches don't begin
to tell the story behind this encounter. Spectators enjoyed two
great matches, both of which went to five games.
In Boys Under 17 Cameron Stafford (the Boys Under 17
individual champion) was clearly the favourite to win, but Alex
Arjoon gave him a real battle before losing out in the deciding
fifth game 9-3.
An even closer battle was the Under 19 #1 match between Raphael
deGroot (Guy) and Jake Kelly (Cay). Kelly has played
exceptionally well throughout the championship and has been at his
most effective if allowed to get to the front of the court. He won
the first two games, lost the next two, and it then came down to
which of these two excellent young players could outlast the other.
In the end it was Kelly's touch up front that sealed a terrific 9-5
win in the deciding game. Unfortunately, by this time the match
against Guyana had already been decided with the #2 seeds moving
into the semi-finals where they will meet top seeds Trinidad and
Tobago.
 "I
really thought we had a chance of upsetting the odds and winning. I
was very pleased with the wins from Jake and Cameron. Both had
very tough matches, and Cameron in particular did well to come
through against Alex who never gives up. And what can I say about
Jake? That was some match."
Cayman Coach
Bermuda 3-2 Trinidad and Tobago
This match-up surely
provided the biggest surprise of the team championship as #1 seeded
Trinidad and Tobago went down to #4 seed hosts, Bermuda.
Bermuda was confident about winning at Under 19 #1, with Robbie
Maycock (individual Under 19 champion) meeting Adrian Dyer
(T&T). Dyer played his best match of the tournament and was holding
his own until midway through the first game when Maycock, who had
started slowly in the individual final, began to find his length,
and used his height and reach to maximum advantage. He gradually
increased the pressure on Dyerand the game went as anticipated – a
straight games win for Maycock 9-6,9-4, 9-0.
Under 13 Beckett Simmons (Ber) was facing the Under 13
individual champion Nku Patrick (T&T), who is already a very
accomplished young player. Simmons played well but didn’t have the
fire power to overcome Patrick who won in straight games.
Bermuda’s Under 15 Noah Browne was also a firm favourite to
win his match against Nku Patrick's brother, Mandela, but
first it was the turn of the Under 19 #2’s, Kevin Ross (T&T)
and Micah Franklin. Franklin normally plays in Under 17, but
was “promoted” to the second slot in Under 19’s - a crucial match
for both teams. Their first game was all out attack from both
players with Franklin edging out Ross 10-8. Franklin was playing
brilliantly and he gradually took command of the match, winning the
second game 9-5 and the third 9-1. This was a pivotal match and the
outcome was in the hands of Noah Browne and Mandela Patrick. The
physical difference is enormous. Browne is well over six feet in
height while Patrick is much smaller and lighter but with great
racket skills.
Browne took an commanding 7-1 lead and appeared to be in control,
but Patrick fought for every point, and won it 9-7. It was a
different Browne who stepped back on court. He played his best
squash and won the next three games, dropping just one point in the
process, to give the Bermuda Team a victory which sees them meeting
OECS in the semi-finals.
It was all over by the time Under 17’s Kristian Muldoon(Ber)
and Kale Wilson (T&T) took to the court. Their first game was
a tight one, with Wilson winning it 10-9, then taking the next two
games.
 "The
boys all played well and I have to pay special tribute to the win by
Micah Franklin which was pivotal to their success. And Beckett
played well against Nku who is an excellent young player."
Bermuda Coach
Evening Session
Six Girls Teams played in the evening session, which ended with two
very tight matches, and a resounding win by the all powerful Guyana
Girls against hosts Bermuda.
Guyana 5-0 Bermuda
With no less than three individual champions in their team, there
was never any doubt that #1 seeded Guyana were overwhelming
favourites to win their match against #4 seeded Bermuda. The Guyana
Girls team has to be considered as something close to a dynasty.
They have won the Girls Team title for the past two years and they
seem to improve every year. Their Under 13, Victoria Arjoon,
has now won the individual title for two consecutive years, and she
had little trouble defeating Emma Keane (Ber) even though
Keane played very well.
Under 13 champion Mary Fung-a-fat is an awesome young player
as she demonstrated in defeating Alex Marshall without
conceding a point. Juliette McComb (Ber) had a tough match
against Kayla Jeffrey in Girls Under 19 #2. Kayla had reached
the final of the individual Under 17’s, losing to her twin sister,
Keisha, and both are superb squash players. McComb managed to win a
few points, despite losing in straight games, and has to be pleased
with her performance.
Bermuda’s two sisters, Rachel and Kelly Barnes, are much
improved and they needed to be as Rachel faced Daina King in
Under 19 #1, and Kelly, in Under 17, played Guyana’s third
individual champion, Keisha Jeffrey. King and Jeffrey was
never in serious trouble but the Barnes sisters demonstrated their
improvement in all aspects of the game before going down in straight
games.
The end result - 5-0 to Guyana who now meet Jamaica in the
semi-finals.
Cayman 3-2 OECS
Although there was at least one player from each age group on one or
the other of these teams, only two matches were played! Cayman won
out 3-2 on the strength of a straight games win by Kristina Myren
over Kalina Browne (OECS) in Girls Under 15. Cayman Under 19s
Samantha Hennings and Courtney Stafford each had
walkovers to give Cayman an unassailable lead, while in Under 17
Zoe Sorrentino won her match against Claire Patrick 3-1,
and her sister Erika had a walkover in Under 13.
Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 Jamaica
This was another close
match. In Under 13 Charlotte Knaggs (T&T) had an easy win
against Mary Mahfood (Jam), and in Under 19’s, both Kerri
Sample, the Under 19 individual champion - and Amy Gillezeau
won their matches for Trinidad and Tobago. Sample won comfortably in
straight games against Kristine Bell (Jam), while Gillezeau
had a closer victory over Lauren Mahfood, 9-5, 9-6, 4-9, 9-0.
Under 15 Justine Anderson entered the plus column for Jamaica
with her 3-1 win over Emily Farah, while Brooke Burrowes
won handily in three games against Emily Bones (T&T).
Trinidad and Tobago earned their place into the semi-finals and will
play Bermuda, while Jamaica play Guyana.
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Photo Gallery
Slideshow
SEMI-FINALS:
Boys:
Girls:
THANKS !!!
Every successful squash championship needs a nucleus of
people willing to do anything and everything necessary to
get the job done.
The BSRA would like to thank, Tournament Referee Patrick
Foster, Club Manager/Catering Dave Elliott, and
Tournament Director Ross Triffitt for all their hard
work and total dedication. If Dave looks a little scruffy,
it’s because this was taken early in the morning just after
he had lugged crates of soft drinks into the club house. The
other two always look like that!
Sincere thanks also to Tournament Chairman: David Gibbons,
Graphic Design/Event Programme: Liz Martin,
Accommodation: Karen Olsen, Corporate Fundraising:
Christine Barnes, Trophies & Uniforms: Kathy Keane,
Tournament Assistants, Andrew & Laura Robinson, and
Elijah Simmons, Rest Day Activity: Lisa Ferrari,
Team Liaisons: Lisa Ferrari, Charles Jeffers,
Jane Maycock, Pippa Muldoon, Katrina Knight,
and Rebecca Browne, Fundraising: Joseph and Susan
Simmons, Rebecca Browne, Bar Staff: Junior
Dunstan, Lateisha Loving, Jennifer Bielby,
Dena Stowe, and Heathe Rhodes, along with all
of the Host Families and other volunteers too numerous to
mention here.
|
All in the Family
Kayla & Keisha Jeffrey
Erika & Zoe Sorrentino
Nku & Mandela Patrick
Cameron, Courtney & Nicholas Stafford
Kelly & Rachel Barnes
Alex & Victoria Arjoon
Ian & Alex McCallum
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Results July 17, 2008
BOYS
OECS bt Jamaica 4-1
U19 1. Joe Chapman bt Bruce Burrowes 5-9, 9-5, 9-5, 9-0
U19 2. Jules Snagg bt Stephen Reid 9-0, 9-2, 9-6
U17 Stefan Joseph bt David Lawrence 9-5, 6-9, 9-3, 9-5
U15 Kevin Hannaway bt Josh Mahfood 9-5, 9-1, 9-0
U13 Rory Thornton lt David Mullings 5-9, 2-9, 0-9
Bermuda bt Trinidad & Tobago 3-2
U19 1. Robert Maycock bt Adrian Dyer 9-6, 9-4, 9-0
U19 2. Micah Franklin bt Kevin Ross 10-8, 9-5, 9-1
U17 Kristian Muldoon lt Kale Wilson 9-10, 2-9, 1-9
U15 Noah Browne bt Mandela Patrick 7-9, 9-0, 9-0, 9-1
U13 Beckett Simmons lt Nku Patrick 9-4, 9-0, 9-3
Guyana bt Cayman 3-2
U19 1. Raphael deGroot lt Jake Kelly 6-9, 7-9, 9-4, 9-6, 5-9
U19 2. Oliver kear-Downs bt Ryan McConvey 9-1, 9-2, 9-0
U17 Alexander Arjoon lt Cameron Stafford 1-9, 8-10, 9-4, 9-2, 3-9
U15 Abhishek Singh bt Nick Cameron 9-4, 9-4, 9-3
U13 Jean Claude Jeffrey bt Iain McCallum 9-0, 9-1, 9-7
GIRLS
Guyana bt Bermuda 5-0
U19 1. Daina King bt Rachel Barnes 9-4, 9-2, 9-4
U19 2. Kayla Jeffrey bt Juliette McComb 9-0, 9-2, 9-2
U17 Keisha Jeffrey bt Kelly Barnes 9-4, 9-4, 9-1
U15 Mary Fung-a-fat bt Alex Marshall 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U13 Victoria Arjoon bt Emma Keane 9-1, 9-3, 9-9-1
Cayman bt OECS 3-2
U19 1. Samantha Hennings bt
U19 2. Courtney Stafford bt
U17 Claire Patrick lt Zoe Sorrentino 0-9, 9-6, 7-9, 6-9
U15 Kristina Myren bt Kalina Browne 9-1, 9-3, 9-0
U13 lt Erika Sorrentino
Trinidad & Tobago bt Jamaica 3-2
U19 1. Kerrie Sample bt Kristine Bell 9-1, 9-1, 9-4
U19 2. Amy Gillezeau bt Lauren Mahfood 9-5, 9-6, 4-9, 9-0
U17 Emily Bones lt Brooke Burrowes 4-9, 3-9, 0-9
U15 Emily Farah lt Justine Anderson 3-9, 9-6, 3-9, 7-9
U13 Charlotte Knaggs bt Mary Mahfood 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
Trinidad & Tobago bt Cayman 5-0
U19 1. Kerrie Sample bt Samantha Hennings 9-6, 10-8, 9-4
U19 2. Amy Gillezeau bt Courtney Stafford 9-5, 10-8, 5-9, 9-2
U17 Jessica Scott bt Claire Patrick 9-0, 9-0, 9-1
U15 Talia Abdool bt Kristina Myren 9-2, 10-8, 9-3
U13 Charlotte Knaggs bt
Jamaica bt OECS 4-1
U19 1. Kristine Bell bt
U19 2. Lauren Mahfood bt
U17 Brooke Burrowes bt Zoe Sorrentino 9-0, 9-1, 9-0
U15 Jessica Perkins bt Kalina Browne 9-4, 9-2, 9-2
U13 Mary Mahfood lt Erika Sorrentino 6-9, 10-8, 2-9, 9-3, 10-8
Bermuda bt Barbados 3-2
U19 1. Rachel Barnes lt Cheri-Ann Parris 7-9, 0-9, 3-9
U19 2. Jenni Schroder bt Zoe Lisk 9-6, 9-0, 9-6
U17 Kelly Barnes bt Tanya Marshall 9-3, 9-7, 9-1
U15 Alex Marshall lt Asha Gibbs 7-9, 9-5, 9-6, 5-9, 6-9
U13 Emma Keane bt Gylla Mackenzie 9-3, 9-0, 9-0
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Boys Event
Girls Event
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Cayman Girls |
Jamaican support |
16-Jul-08:
Teams under way in Bermuda
Roger Sherratt reports
Now
that Hurricane Bertha has completely passed Bermuda, action is
underway in the Team Tournament at the Bank of Bermuda Foundation
Junior CASA (Caribbean) Squash Championships) with three Boys'
matches played on the first morning.
Jamaica 3-2 Cayman Islands
This match provided an early upset as #6 seeds Jamaica pulled off a
surprise win against #3 seeded Cayman. Jamaica’s coach Karen
Anderson, gave great credit to Under 15 team member, Joshua Mahfood,
for reversing the result of his match against Nick Cameron (Cay) in
the individual tournament. Despite losing the first game this
morning, Mahfood tightened his game in the second and won the match
3-2.
 Bruce
Burrowes also reversed his earlier loss to Jake Kelly in the
individual championship. He fell behind 2-0 in this match until he
decided to avoid competing with Kelly at the front of the court.
Burrowes and Kelly put on a great display of squash, going down to
the wire, with Burrowes managing to take the critical points in the
fitth to win it 9-7,and the match 3-2.
The other winner for Jamaica was Jake Mahfood in Under 13 who
cruised to victory against Iain McCallum (Cay). Cameron Stafford
(Under 17) and Ryan McConvey won the two matches for Cayman.
Trinidad & Tobago 4-1 Barbados
This match saw #1 seeds Trinidad and Tobago against #5 seeds
Barbados, and the result was never really in doubt. The Under 15
clash between Mandela Patrick (T&T) and Matthew Mackenzie (Bar) was
a see-saw classic and could have gone either way.
 Patrick
started slowly and lost the first game, only to surge ahead and take
the next two games in full stride. However, the two were closely
matched and Mackenzie slowly fought his way back to win the fourth
and set the scene for an epic fifth game which saw Mackenzie claim
victory.
This was the only win for Barbados in an otherwise one-sided
encounter. Kevin Ross (Under 19 #1, Justin Sanguinette (Under 19
#2), Kale Wilson (Under 17), and Nku Patrick, all won their matches
for Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 against Ciaran Raymer, Ryan Foster,
Jonathan O’Dowd and Stewart St. John respectively.
Guyana 3-2 OECS
In the third team match, the Guyana Boys Team had a closer than
expected match against OECS. Under 19 #1 Joe Chapman (OECS) showed
his class and had a comfortable 3-0 win against Oliver Kear-Downs,
while Kevin Hannaway (OECS) had an easy win against a determined but
outclassed Nyron Joseph (Guy.
In Boys Under 17, Alex Arjoon (Guy) won his match against Stefan
Joseph (OECS) without dropping a single point; in Under 19 #2, Deje
Dias (Guy) won in straight games against Jules Snaggs (OECS), but
not before Snaggs made a hard fought attempt to snatch the second
game.
The third win for Guyana came from Jean Claude Jeffrey who defeated
Rory Thornton (OECS) also in three straight games.
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Photo Gallery
Slideshow
 "It
was a tough and unexpected win. We were seeded #6 and they were #3
so we weren’t expected to go in with a fighting chance. The Under
15’s was the key match. Nick (Cameron) had beaten Joshua (Mahfood)
in the individuals, but Joshua went in this time with the right
strategy and composure. He played extremely well.
"Bruce also played very, very well. He had also lost to Jake (Kelly)
in the individuals, and this morning he was down 2-0, but I have to
say, he listened to instructions, kept up the pace, pushed Jake to
the back of the court attacking on the volley, and do not play up
front. Jake plays a beautiful game up front and that was key for
Bruce.
"That was a real good result and puts us in contention for the
semis."
Jamaica
 "The
matches went pretty much as we planned. We were hoping for a 5-0
win. We knew there would be one close match with Mandela (Patrick)
against Matthew (Mackenzie) – and it was very close.
"Mandela started slowly and easily lost the first game, but he
started playing much more consistent and got ahead 2-1. Then it was
Matthew’s turn to play with more discipline. In the fifth it was a
battle of mental strength, and Matthew managed to stay a little more
calm to win it.
"In the other matches we were confident. We were able to have one of
our reserves, Justin Sanguinette, play as our Under 19 #2. He had
played Ryan Foster in the individual and beat him 3-0. All the other
matches went to 3-0 for us.
"Our next match is against Bermuda and I think that’s going to be
tough, especially against Robbie Maycock and Noah Browne. It should
be an excellent match."
T&T
 "We
did fairly well today. A 3-2 win was what we expected because our
Under15 National champion, Jason–Ray Khalil, couldn’t come at the
last minute because of U.S. visa problems, along with his sister
Ashley who is our Girls Under 17 champion.
"We had to use our #2, Abhishek Singh, who came originally just to
play in the individuals . We lost in Under 15 with our reserve,
Myron Joseph, although he played well - better than expected. Jean
Claude Jeffrey played well in Under 13. He’s not been playing long
but he’s very strong. Oliver Kear-Downs lost to Joe Chapman but he
also played well, and Alex Arjoon played well within himself.
"I did have some concerns about Under 19 #2 Deje Dias, who lost a
bit of concentration in the second game after an unforced error, but
he managed to win it after Jules closed to 8-8.
"We really have to win our next match tonight, against Jamaica ..."
Guyana |
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Happy Birthday Dominique
 Manager
of the Trinidad and Tobago Team, Dominique Willems-Bones, was
trying to celebrate her birthday quietly while her team was
competing in the first round of the Boys Team Championships - but to
no avail.
Dominique was hoodwinked into standing on the 'T' to have her photo
taken with Team Coach, Ryan Anderson, when the whole team suddenly
dashed on court to perform their traditional "birthday sprints" in a
circle around Dominique while singing "Happy Birthday" to their
stunned Manager.
Her boys went on to win their first round match 4-1 to enhance the
celebration! |
Wednesday afternoon
saw Girls Teams in action for the first time, with #1 seeds
Guyana playing Barbados, Jamaica against Cayman, and OECS taking on
Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad & Tobago 5-0 OECS
OECS did not field players in the two Under 19 slots so they started
2-0 down, and the situation deteriorated from there. Erika
Sorrentino acquitted herself well against Charlotte Knaggs (T&T) but
Knaggs was a little too strong and won in three straight. Kalina
Browne (OECS) also fought hard in her match against Emily Farah,
going down 3-0 but Browne came close to stretching the match to 4
games before losing 10-8 in the 3rd. At Under 17, Jessica Scott had
things her own way against Zoe Sorrentino winning comfortably 3-0.
Guyana 4-1 Barbados
Guyana has an outstanding Girls Team, as in past years, and nothing
– almost - was going to stop them winning their matches against
Barbados. Nothing, that is except Cheri-Ann Parris playing as Under
19 #1 for Barbados. Her opponent, Daina King (Guy) played probably
the best squash of her life and shot ahead to 7-3 in the first game,
but then Parris stepped up a gear, and came roaring back to win the
first game. From then on it was game over as she cruised through
dropping only one more point.
Twin sisters, Kayla Jeffrey playing Under 19 #2, and Keisha Jeffrey
playing Under 17, both had comprehensive wins, while Under 15, Mary
Fung-a-fat (Guy) and Under 13, Victoria Arjoon each dropped just
three points in their matches against Asha Gibbs (Bar) and Gylla
Mackenzie (Bar) to give Guyana a 4-1 victory in their first match.
Guyana take on hosts, Bermuda, in their next match.
Jamaica 4-1 Cayman
The 3rd match of this session was a close one, with Jamaica
squeaking by 3-2. Kristine Bell playing Under 19 #1 against Samantha
Hennings lost in three straight, while Jamaica’s Under 19#, Lauren
Mahfood, also lost in 4 against Courtney Stafford. Although Jamaica
was down by two, Under 17, Brooke Burrowes, dominated her match
against Claire Patrick (Cay) winning in straight games, and
Justine Anderson (Jam) had a tough match against Kristina Myren
(Cay), with Myren pulling back from 0-2 down to 1-2 before losing in
the fourth. Under 13 for Jamaica, Mary Mahfood, received a bye so
her team won this match 3-2.
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Spectator of the Championship!
 If
an award was to be presented for "Spectator of the
Tournament" at this year's tournament, then Grace McQuan,
from San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago, would head the
list of contenders. Waving her national flag with tremendous
verve, she describes herself as "the fighting spirit of the
Caribbean!"
Grace is in Bermuda avidly supporting the entire Trinidad
and Tobago Team, along with her 16 year old son, Chayse,
who in competing in the individual championships for
Trinidad and Tobago for the very first time. Chayse is not
the star player of his team, nor was he selected for the
Team Championship, which is limited to 6 players, but with
his mother's support he more than makes up in enthusiasm
what he lacks in experience.
A former tennis player, Chayse has only been playing for 2
years after looking for another sport to add variety when
weather conditions prevented him from playing tennis. A
student at Presentation College in San Fernando, he took up
squash because his is the only school in Trinidad with a
squash court, and Chayse says, "Now I love the game. I'm so
hooked on it. I'm meeting lots of people and making lifelong
friends from all over, especially as this is my first time
playing for my country and playing in Junior CASA. My mum is
my biggest fan."
When asked about Bermuda, Chase waxed eloquent, "Oh, what a
beautiful Island. Everything is so clean and green. And
everyone is so friendly." He vows to return again to play
squash, and you can bet that his mum will be right there
with him! Chayse may not be the star of the team, but he
sure is a winner with a mum like Grace! |
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Boys Evening Matches
Wednesday evening’s Boys Team matches provided lots of excitement,
including a surprise result during the encounter between OECS and
Cayman, together with two comprehensive wins in the Bermuda v
Barbados match and the Guyana v Jamaica match.
OECS 3-2 Cayman
In the line up between OECS and Cayman, there was never any doubt
about the outcome of the match between Under 15, Kevin Hannaway (OECS)
and Nicholas Cameron (Cay). Cameron - an excellent young player -
just missed qualifying for the Under 13 section by a few days, and
had to play in Under 15 against the newly crowned Under 15 champion,
Kevin Hannaway, who was in no mood to spend too much time on court.
He won in 3 straight.
Jules Snaggs, playing in the Under 19 #2 spot for OECS against Ryan
McConvey (Cay) is described by his coach as rather “unpredictable”
but with lots of ability. He proved that by coming back from two
games down to level the match at two-all. Despite showing signs of
exhaustion Snaggs was able to go the distance and enjoyed a notable
victory that would surely set up his team for a clear win against
Cayman.
 Next
up was Joe Chapman, Under 19 #1 for OECS against Jake Kelly (Cay)
with Chapman expected to win this one without too much trouble.
Kelly, however, played at his best and showed great flair as he
moved Chapman around the court and used his touch shots to great
effect. He took the first two games 9-5, 9-4, but Chapman is never
one to give up without a fight, and he came back strongly to take
the third 9-5. This match looked to be on course for five games as
both gave their all at the start of the fourth but Chapman began to
slow down just a little and Kelly took advantage by stepping up the
pace enough to run out 9-3 and take the match.
The OECS camp were acutely aware that their Under 17 player, Stefan
Joseph, would have almost no chance against the Under 17 Individual
Champion, Cameron Stafford, but first on was the game between Rory
Thornton (OECS) and the youngest boy in the tournament, Iain
McCallum (Cay). Thornton proved to be too big and strong for
McCallum and won his match to provide the much needed win for his
team, but 10 year old McCallum showed he has both great racket
skills and determination. Watch out for him in the future!
As predicted, Cameron Stafford (Cay) had no problem winning his
match in quick time against Joseph.
Guyana 5-0 Jamaica
#2 seeds Guyana narrowly defeated OECS earlier in the day but they
were in no mood to settle for anything less that a comprehensive win
against Jamaica. Under 19 #1, Raphael deGroot (Guy), had a great
match against Bruce Burrowes (Jam) winning in 3 straight, with
Burrowes fighting hard to hang on in the 3rd before losing it 10-8.
Under 19 #2, Deje Dias, Under 17, Alex Arjoon, and Under 15 Abhishek
Singh all had comprehensive wins against Stephen Reid, Julian
Morrison, and Joshua Mahfood respectively, to give Guyana an
unassailable lead.
 But
the Under 13 match between Nyron Joseph and Jake Mayfood was an
absolute thriller from start to finish, with the lead constantly
changing. Mahfood won the first, Joseph the second, Mahfood the
third, Joseph the fourth, and by this time there was a capacity
crowd cheering on these two young lads who gave it everything they
had in the deciding fifth. Neither deserved to lose such a great
game so suffice it to say that Joseph won the last game 9-6 to seal
a clean sweep for Guyana.
Bermuda 5-0 Barbados
If this was expected to be a close encounter between #4 seeds
Bermuda and #5 seeds Barbados, someone forgot to tell the Bermuda
Team. Noah Browne (Ber) may have been disappointed to lose the Boys
Under 13 Individual Final, but he stepped on court with every
intention of playing at his best against Matthew Mackenzie (Bar) who
was showing signs of a slight injury. Browne came off court without
conceding a point!
Next up for Bermuda was Boys Under 19 #2, Micah Franklin, promoted
to Under 19 despite being eligible for Boys Under 17. Franklin
followed Browne’s lead and played an all out attacking game against
Ryan Foster, dropping just two points in the process.
Third on court for Bermuda was the Boys Under 19 Individual
Champion, Robbie Maycock, playing Ciaron Raymer (Bar). Raymer showed
great spirit and never stopped chasing the ball and going for his
shots, but Maycock plays at a completely different level and after
dropping just two points in the third game, the Bermuda captain
sealed a win for his team, which at this point in the overall match
had only dropped a total of four points in three matches.
Under 13, Beckett Simmons (Ber), played his best match of the
championships in defeating a spirited Stewart St. John in straight
games, and Under 17 Kristian Muldoon sealed a memorable night for
the Bermuda Team as he followed the earlier example of teammates
Franklin and Maycock by dropping only two points against Jonathan
O’Dowd.
The Bermuda Boys Team will not have it so easy in their match
against Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday afternoon.
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 “I’m
very happy with the overall result. Kevin looks to be much too
strong for most of his opposition in Boys Under 15. Jules is
very unpredictable. He went down two games, then started to play
really well. He was looking tired in the 5th and I personally had
doubts he would be able to go the distance, but he came through and
did the job. He’s the man of the match!
I think we all expected Joe to win against Jake, but Jake
played well enough to keep Joe busy enough, and run him around
enough that Joe began to fall off the pace. It was a very good win
for Jake.
Not knowing the other players too well I realized that Stefan Joseph
would find it tough going against Cameron (Stafford), and I was not
sure how Rory (Thornton) would play against Iain (McCallum). Rory
proved to be too big and strong against Iain, who is very small, but
it was a relief to see Rory win the match for us and give us a team
victory. I predict that young Iain won’t be playing like that in
just a couple of years. He hits the ball well and is only going to
improve as he grows.
Joe Kneipp OECS
"It was an expected win, but everyone on the team played really
well. Beckett (Simmons) had the toughest match but he won his first
game comfortably.
"In the second game they both had some good rallies and he made a
few mistakes before putting the game away. After that he coasted to
a 3-0 win.
"What more can I say? We won every match without losing a game."
 Bermuda |
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Results July 16, 2008
BOYS
Guyana bt OECS 3-2
U19 1. Oliver Kear-Downs l Joe Chapman 3-9, 3-9, 3-9
U19 2. Deje Dias bt Jules Snaggs 9-0, 10-9, 9-1
U17 Alexander Arjoon bt Stefan Joseph 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U15 Nyron Joseph l Kevin Hannaway 1-9, 4-9, 0-9
U13 Jean Claude Jeffrey bt Rory Thornton 9-2, 9-0, 9-7
Trinidad & Tobago bt Barbados 4-1
U19 1. Kevin Ross bt Ciaran Raymer 9-3, 9-2, 9-0
U19 2. Justin Sanguinette bt Ryan Foster 9-3, 9-2, 9-1
U17 Kale Wilson bt Jonathan O’Dowd 9-1, 9-2, 9-1
U15 Mandela Patrick l Matthew Mackenzie 1-9, 9-4, 9-3, 9-3, 9-6
U13 Nku Patrick bt Stewart St. John 9-7, 9-2, 9-0
Jamaica bt Cayman Islands 3-2
U19 1. Bruce Burrowes bt Jake Kelly 8-9, 7-9, 9-8, 9-2, 9-7
U19 2. Stephen Reid l Ryan McConvey 1-9, 0-9, 0-9
U17 David Lawrence l Cameron Stafford 1-9, default
U15 Joshua Mahfood bt Nick Cameron 8-10, 9-5, 9-3, 9-3
U13 Jake Mahfood bt Iain McCallum 9-0, 9-3, 9-0
Bermuda bt Barbados 5-0
U19 1 Robert Maycock bt Ciaran Raymer 9-0, 9-0, 9-2
U19 2 Micah Franklin bt Ryan Foster 9-0, 9-0, 9-2
U17 Kristian Muldoon bt Jonathan O’Dowd 9-1, 9-1, 9-0
U15 Noah Browne bt Matthew Mackenzie 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U13 Beckett Simmons bt Stewart St. John 9-2, 10-8, 9-4
OECS bt Cayman 3-2
U19 1 Joe Chapman lt Jake Kelly 5-9, 4-9, 9-5, 3-9
U19 2 Jules Snaggs bt Ryan McConvey 8-10, 5-9, 9-3, 9-6,
U17 Stefan Joseph lt Cameron Stafford 1-9, 0-9, 0-9
U15 Kevin Hannaway bt Nicholas Cameron 9-1, 9-0, 9-0
U13 Rory Thornton bt Iain McCallum 9-1, 9-5, 9-2
Guyana bt Jamaica 5-0
U19 1 Raphael deGroot bt Bruce Burrowes 9-2, 9-4, 10-8
U19 2 Deje Dias bt Stephen Reid 9-1, 9-1, 9-0
U17 Alex Arjoon bt Julian Morrison 9-4, 9-0, 9-0
U15 Abhishek Singh bt Joshua Mahfood 9-1, 9-4, 9-5
U13 Nyron Joseph bt Jake Mahfood 9-10, 9-2, 5-9, 9-4, 9-6
GIRLS
Trinidad & Tobago bt OECS 5-0
U19 1 Kerrie Sample bt
U19 2 Amy Gillezeau bt
U17 Jessica Scott bt Zoe Sorrentino 9-0, 9-3, 9-1
U15 Emily Farah bt Kalina Browne 9-2, 9-5, 10-8
U13 Charlotte Knaggs bt Erika Sorrentino 9-1, 9-6, 9-5
Guyana bt Barbados 4-1
U19 1 Daina King l Cheri-Ann Parris 7-9, 1-9, 0-9
U19 2 Kayla Jeffrey bt Zoe Lisk 9-2, 9-0, 9-0
U17 Keisha Jeffrey bt Tanya Marshall 9-0, 9-0, 9-0
U15 Mary Fung-a-fat bt Asha Gibbs 9-3, 9-0, 9-0
U13 Victoria Arjoon bt Gylla Mackenzie 9-0, 9-2, 9-1
Jamaica bt Cayman 3-2
U19 1 Kristine Bell l Samantha Hennings 3-9, 3-9, 4-9
U19 2 Lauren Mahfood l Courtney Stafford 2-9, 9-7, 3-9, 2-9
U17 Brooke Burrows bt Claire Patrick 9-1, 9-1, 9-0
U15 Justine Anderson bt Kristina Myren 9-4, 9-1, 3-9, 9-5
U13 Mary Mahfood bt
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"I’m
very pleased with the whole team. After working with them for the
past two years I’ve seen an enormous improvement. 
"Emma
played very well against Victoria. Alex had a good tournament
overall. She won a very important match in the semi-finals and I was
pleased with her performance. Rachel and Kelly both handled the
extra pace well, and I hope it inspires them all to train more. 
Robbie
Maycock was clearly the better player in his match. He plays the
ball so well. He’s had excellent coaching and is very talented.
Robbie plays at pace, knows where to hit the ball, and with his past
experience he’s easy to coach. That experience overseas makes such a
big difference. It was good to see him win his fourth individual
title in his last year as a junior.
Bermuda team coach
