Squash league a real hit
THE new Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix season opened on Sunday, October 19 at Heywood Sports, Diss and Harleston Leisure Centre with 45 juniors competing in five groups playing some high quality squash.
THE new Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix season opened on Sunday, October 19 at Heywood Sports, Diss and Harleston Leisure Centre with 45 juniors competing in five groups playing some high quality squash.
Group One proved to be very competitive, Bradley Garrett was again victorious in the top group, beating Norfolk rivals Jack Bell (Diss) and Alex Foster (Cromer) both 3-0 into second and third place. It was also good to see Fergus Clarke competing after a long break.
Group Two was won by Laurie Lacey-Hasting having beaten home players Dan Betts 3-2 and Jordan Ball (playing his first Grand Prix event) 3-0 into second and third places.
In Group Three, William Mitchell played impressively on his first appearance, and took top spot in this group, beating the improving Josh Brownlow (Harleston) into second, and Sam Lanham (Fakenham) into third. Casper Tutt also gained his first win.
Both Groups Four and Five were staged at Harleston with a few players making their debut in the tournament.
Group five kicked off with Sam McCluskey and Sam Burrows playing some great squash in a three-game thriller, with McCluskey coming out on top. Good wins followed for Lydia Brownlow, Jade Spalding, Joshua Childs, Alice Fuller and Matthew Keal. There was also an encouraging debut for Lottie Brownlow who visibly grew in confidence throughout the day. In phase two of the competition, good performances from Jade, Alice and Callum Andrews saw them top their individual groups. The Group Five winner was Jade Spalding from Fakenham.
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Group Four was extremely competitive with some hard-fought games, an impressive performance from Louis Harvey edged out home player Alex Green in a three-game marathon. First phase section winners were Giles Evans, Sam Crafter and Louis Harvey.
The second phase games were entertaining and good play from Edmund Youngs saw him take his group. Tom Snowling took his section with impressive wins over Alex and Jack Andrews. Giles Evans showed great technique to edge the top section, he was pushed all the way by Louis and Sam. Giles Evans was the winner of Group Four.
“With entries again showing an increase on the equivalent tournament last year, six first time entries, and several more competing after a long break, the future of junior squash in Norfolk continues to look bright,” said Grand Prix organiser Tony Henden.
Final placings
Group One: 1 Bradley Garrett, 2 Jack Bell, 3 Alex Foster, 4 Andrew Whiting, 5 Harry Taylor, 6 Seb Denby, 7 Luke Perry, 8 Jordan Creed, 9 Fergus Clarke.
Group Two: 1 Laurie Lacey-Hastings, 2 Dan Betts, 3 Jordan Balls, 4 Alex Brown, 5 Adam Sinkins, 6 Leyton James, 7 Lasith Ranasinghe, 8 Hugh Williams, 9 Jamie Foyster.
Group Three: 1 William Mitchell, 2 Josh Brownlow, 3 Sam Lanham, 4 William Henden, 5 Robert Davis, 6 Alex Coburn, 7 Olly Bickley, 8 Casper Tutt, 9 Sam Henden.
Group Four: 1 Giles Evans, 2 Louis Harvey, 3 Sam Crafer, 4 Alex Green, 5 Tom Snowling, 6 Jack Andrews, 7 Edmund Youngs, 8 Rebecca Samuel, 9 Jessica Arneil.
Group Five: 1 Jade Spalding, 2 Joshua Childs, 3 Lydia Brownlow, 4 Alice Fuller, 5 Sam McCluskey, 6 Matthew Keal, 7 Callum Andrews, 8 Sam Burrows, 9 Lottie Brownlow.
