Archive News
Young Taylor gains first Junior Squash Grand Prix victory
Records were broken again at the latest Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix when a best-ever 50 players entered the Fakenham and Reepham event on Sunday April 19.
Another record was almost broken when Harry Taylor from Runcton Holme, King's Lynn, sent the organizers scurrying for the record books to see if he was the youngest ever winner of a Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix. A fantastic achievement for a 13 years and 10 month old, defeating opponents up to 18 years old. He was however, pipped at the post by James Cultien, who won an event back in November 2005 at the slightly younger age of 13 years 5 months.
Jack Bell had also again performed heroically to reach the final by defeating two other potential winners 3-2. Seb Denby, and last month's winner Alex Foster, but did not have enough left in the tank to defeat his younger opponent in the final.
Group 1 Final Placings
1. Harry Taylor (Crown, Outwell), 2. Jack Bell (Diss), 3. Alex Foster (Cromer) 4. Bradley Garrett, 5. Andrew Whiting (Diss), 6. Seb Denby, 7. Luke Perry (EAT&SC), 8. Daniel Compton (Waveney)
In Group 2, Jordan Creed justified his top seeding for another group win, and will no doubt be looking to consolidate a position in the top group at next month's Grand Prix at Harleston and Long Stratton. Sian Eves deserves special mention for gaining two last game victories against older boys to claim a superb 5th place in the group.
Group 2 Final Placings
1. Jordan Creed (BAN), 2. Chris Crawford (EA), 3. Laurie Lacey-Hastings (BB), 4. Alex Williams (EA), 5. Sian Eves (EA), 6. Robert Mattocks (BEC), 7. Louis Kemp (BB), 8. Nathan Taylor(EA)
Connor Doy from Fakenham continues to move up the rankings with wins over Chris Davis, clubmate Jake Pearce, and Jonathan Warrin for the Group 3 win. Alex Coburn, easily the youngest player in the group, also continues to impress with excellent wins over Leyton James and Jake Pearce to claim third position.
Group 3 Final Placings
1. Connor Doy(F), 2. Jonathan Warrin (BB), 3. Alex Coburn (BB), 4. Jake Pearce (F), 5. Adam Sinkins (F), 6=. Chris Davis (BB) & Leyton James (F)
Group 4 was the most closely contested group, with anyone capable of winning. Jamie Foyster showed the most improvement and consistency on the day to gain the group win with a 3-0 win over Robert Davis who had also done extremely well to reach the final. Elsewhere, all the other final matches went right to the wire with Sam Lanham beating Jamie Tuck for 3rd , Andrew Black beating Harry Dye for 5th , and Ryan Seymour beating the unlucky Alex Green 12/10 in the fifth game for seventh place.
Group 4 Final Placings
1. Jamie Foyster (EA), 2. Robert Davies (BB), 3. Sam Lanham (F), 4. Jamie Tuck (F) 5. Andrew Black (F) 6. Harry Dye (EA), 7. Ryan Seymour (F), 8. Alex Green (H)
Group 5 provided an exhausting morning's workout at Reepham for Lauren Eves, Ben Cushion and William Henden who all enjoyed 4 best of 5 game matches. William went through undefeated for the group win, inflicting a defeat on older brother Sam along the way. Despite losing all her games 3-0, Lauren Eves pushed the boys in every match, and was unlucky not to come away with some wins.
Group 5 Final Placings
1. William Henden (EA), 2. Sam Henden (EA), 3. Ben Cushion (EA), 4. Giles Evans (BB), 5. Lauren Eves (EA)
Ezekiel Perry was too strong for Group 6 and went through the day without dropping a game. Daniel Foyster did superbly to gain second place on his debut, and Jessica Arneil also enjoyed some very close matches without quite grabbing a win.
Group 6 Final placings
1. Ezekiel Perry (EA), 2. Daniel Foyster (EA), 3. Ollie Bickley (H), 4, Jack Andrews (H), 5. Robby Coates (EA), 6. Philip Davis (BB), 7. Alex Coates (EA), 8. Jessica Arniel (BAN)
Group 7 saw two more first time entries compete in the form of Rebecca Samuel from Halesworth, and Craig Smith from Fakenham. Of the 7 players competing in this group, 5 of them were girls, which is great news for female squash participation in Norfolk. Jade Spalding grabbed the narrowest of group wins for the home club Fakenham over newcomer Rebecca Samuel.
Group 7 Final Placings
1. Jade Spalding (F) 63 Pts, 2. Rebecca Samuel (BEC) 60 Pts, 3. Craig Smith (F) 58Pts, 4. Olivia Boyce (R) 52 Pts, 5. Daniel Fuller (BAN) 51 Pts, 6. Alice Fuller (BAN) 50 Pts, 7. Imogen Boyce (R) 37 Pts.
The next Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix is at Long Stratton and Harleston Memorial Leisure Centres on 18 May. More details from Tony Henden, Tel: 01603 748303, Mob: 07900 558493, Email: tonyhenden@ntlworld.com or see Coming Events page.
Connor Doy Group 3 Winner |
William and Sam Group 6 Winner & Runner-up |
