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Thrilling encounters at Thetford’s first-ever junior squash tournament
Norfolk Junior Squash successfully completed their first ever Junior Squash Grand Prix in Thetford at Breckland Leisure, and despite several late call-offs due to the weather, produced some thrilling encounters and extremely close group deciding matches.
In Group 1, previous Grand Prix winners Jordan Creed and Jack Bell met in the deciding match, with Jack taking a 2-0 lead. Jordan's speed and retrieving however enabled him to recover to take the match 11/8 in the fifth, with errors proving costly for Jack in the final game.
Group 1 Final Placings: Jordan Creed 9 Pts (Bannatynes), 2. Jack Bell 8 Pts (Heywood Sports), 3. Alex Oliver 5 Pts (Cromer/EAT&SC), 4. Alex Williams 4 Pts (EAT&SC), 5. Jamie Foyster 0 Pts (EAT&SC)
Group 2 included guests Joseph Weavers from Cambridgeshire, and for the first time Faith Mutti from Lincolnshire , and both enjoyed three competitive matches. Joseph progressed to the final and met the improving Sam Lanham who had somehow managed to get through the snow from Fakenham to compete. I am sure he felt the effort worthwhile as he grabbed the group win 11/8 in the fifth game to deny Joseph the group win. Faith was also taken to the deciding 5th game by Alex Coburn before Alex was able to see the match out 11/5.
Group 2 Final Placings: Sam Lanham (Fakenham), 2. Joseph Weavers (Comberton) 3. Alex Coburn (Barnham Broom) 4. Faith Mutti (Lincs) 5. Will Henden (Broadland) 6. Milo Butler (EAT&SC) 7. Robbie Coates (EAT&SC)
Group 3 was contested between five similar ability players playing each other, with all 10 matches being evenly contested. Scott Drewery from Crown, Outwell came out top on the day. Surviving match points against Sam Henden to win all four matches.
Group 3 Final Placings: Scott Drewery 8 Pts (Crown), 2. Martin Jolly 5 Pts ( King's Lynn ), 3. Sam Crafer 5 Pts (Reepham), 4. Sam Henden 5 Pts (Broadland) 5. Izaak Butler 2 Pts (EAT&SC)
Groups 4,5,6 & 7 played in the morning produced similar close finishes Final placings were as follows:-
Group 4 Final Placings: Jesse Baker 8 Pts, 2. Brandon Fairbrother 7 Pts, 3. Sam Lewis 4 Pts, 4. Prakrit Raj Kumar 3 Pts, 5. Sam McCluskey 1 Pt.
Jesse's 7/11,11/7,11/5 comeback against Brandon was the deciding match in this group.
Group 5 Final Placings: Liam Mooney 8 Pts (EAT&SC), 2. Daniel Heffer 5 Pts, 3. Alice Heffer 5 Pts, 4. Kieran Dodman 5 Pts, 5. Jade Spalding 2 Pts.
Liam's well deserved group win included 2-1 wins over Kieran and Daniel, and equally close 11/9,11/9 win over Alice.
Group 6 Final Placings: Katie Cox 8 Pts ( EAT&SC), 2. Bonnie Butler 6 Pts, 3. Lydia Brownlow 6 Pts, 4. Bradley Nobbs 4 Pts, 5. Charlie Simpson 1 Pt
Most improved player of the tournament, Katie Cox, beat the four players seeded above her to win the group, and included a tight 6/11,12/10,11/3 win over Lydia Brownlow.
Group 7 Final Placings: 1. Claire Jolly 60 Pts King's Lynn , 2. Joshua Hall (Oasis) 59 Pts, 3. Joseph Henden 40 Pts, 4. Lottie Brownlow 34 Pts, 5. Ryan Evans 21 Pts
Closest finish of the day was however reserved for group 7. With both Joshua, on his Grand Prix debut, and Claire having won their previous three group matches they met in the morning's final match for the group win. Joshua led the match throughout but Claire never gave up saving match point at 13-14 to produce a final rally deciding point. Claire's serve was returned and she was able to go on to produce the groups winning shot to the front forehand side which Joshua was just unable to reach to complete her comeback. A great end to the morning's matches.
NJS would like to thank Karen Cox and Sandra Butler for their help on the tournament desk and Julie Pike & Breckland Leisure for the use of their facilities.
The next NJS Grand Prix is at Bannatynes and Oasis in Norwich on Sunday March 21. More details from Tony Henden on 01493 369651 or 07900 558493, or email: tonyhenden@ntlworld.com. Use this link to download the Entry Form to be returned by March 15.
Pictured are group winners, front from left, Scott Drewery, Jordan Creed and Sam Lanham |
Pictured are group winners, front from left, Katie Cox, Claire Jolly, Jesse Baker, Liam Mooney and Daniel Fuller (January winner at King's Lynn) |
