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Jordan returns for first win of the season in squash grand prix
By Tony Henden
The March Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix produced a season's best attendance of 49 players from 11 Norfolk clubs and two from Cambridgeshire and was held at the Oasis and Bannatynes clubs in Norwich.
In Group 1, Jordan Creed, who has now impressively achieved a top 40 National U19 ranking, was playing in his first Grand Prix of the season and duly eased through to the group's deciding match against previously undefeated Adam Sinkins. Despite three close games, Jordan always seemed in control of the match, winning 11/7,12/10,12/10. Three players from Comberton Squash Club, were also competing in the top group and contributed greatly towards the high quality and competitiveness of the matches.
Group 1 Final Placings
- Jordan Creed (Bannatynes)
- Adam Sinkins (Fakenham)
- Alex Williams (EAT&SC)
- Alex Oliver (Fakenham)
- Will Harris (Comberton)
- Jeremy Harris (Comberton)
- Nathan Taylor (EAT&SC)
- Jake Bond (Bannatynes)
- Laurence Temple (Comberton)
The quality of play in Group 2 was also the highest we have seen for some time, with most of the players having increased their training and playing time in recent months. Only two of the 12 matches in this group produced 3-0 scorelines, demonstrating the closeness of the group. Both Martin Jolley and Johnnie Carmichael-Plester gave great semi-final performances in losing 3-2 to the more experienced pairing of Will Henden and Alex Coburn who went on to contest the final in another five-game thriller. With Alex leading 2-1 and 10-4, the match seemed in the bag. However, Will produced a gritty error free comeback to take the game 14-12 before going on to take the fifth game, saving yet more match points along the way. Final match score 9/11, 0/11, 11/6, 14/12, 12/10.
Group 2 Final Placings
- Will Henden (Broadland)
- Alex Coburn (Barnham Broom)
- Johnnie Carmichael-Plester (EAT&SC)
- Martin Jolley (King's Lynn)
- Drew Butchart (Fakenham)
- Scott Drewery (Crown, Outwell)
- Milo Butler (EAT&SC)
- Robby Coates (EAT&SC)
Group 3 gave the players four gruelling games each, and again demonstrated improved performances form a number of players. Wins for Liam Bond over Sam Henden (2-1), David Gorrod over Izaak Butler (3-1), Sam Henden over Jesse Baker (3-1) and 2 wins for Lucy-Ann Williams were the pick of the bunch.
Group 3 Final Placings
- David Gorrod (Bannatynes)
- Izaak Butler (EAT&SC)
- Liam Bond (Bannatynes)
- Sam Henden (Broadland)
- Jesse Baker (Wymondham Leisure)
- Liam Mooney (EAT&SC)
- Lucy-Ann Williams (EAT&SC)
- Ryan Stringer (Potters)
- Angus Harris (Comberton)
Group 4 gave Nathan Shearing three impressive 3-0 wins in his first tournament and will see him moved up the seedings for tougher opposition next time out.
Group 4 Final Placings
- Nathan Shearing (Broadland)
- Lydia Brownlow (Harleston)
- Jade Spalding (Fakenham)
- Jordan Richardson (Fakenham)
Group 5 was dominated by Norfolk 's U13 girls who placed in 4 of the top 5 places with Bonnie Butler producing a great comeback to beat Aaron Myhill 7/11, 7/11, 11/9, 11/6, 11/6 for the group win.
Group 5 Final Placings
- Bonnie Butler (EAT&SC)
- Aaron Myhill (Fakenham)
- Claire Jolley (Fakenham)
- Bronwyn Moxey (King's Lynn)
- Katie Cox (EAT&SC)
- Joshua Hall (Oasis)
- Sami Wright (Broadland/All Saints)
- Thomas Holland (Barnham Broom)
Group 6 proved to be the closest group of the day and gave Harry Sturgess from King's Lynn his first group win.
Group 6 Final Placings
- Harry Sturgess (King's Lynn) 58 Pts
- Oliver Millar (Broadland) 54 Pts
- Oliver Mowles 53 Pts
- Robert Thirst (Broadland/All Saints) 52 Pts
- Lottie Brownlow 20 Pts
Harry's clubmate Amberly Mackenzie gave the King's Lynn Club a double victory by winning group 7.
Group 7 Final Placings
- Amberly MacKenzie ( King's Lynn ) 75 Pts
- James Longley (Broadland) 71 Pts
- Patrick Bird (Broadland) 58 Pts
- Roberta Longley (Broadland) 56 Pts
- Jedd Scott (Broadland/All Saints)
- Lucy Cox (EAT&SC) 19 Pts
Congratulations to the players from All Saint's School, Lessingham, Comberton and Broadland Squash Clubs for entering their first tournament, and to Oasis and Bannatynes for hosting.
The next Junior Squash Tournament will be held at Fakenham and Reepham on Sunday April 17, and junior players under 19 years of age of any ability are welcome to enter.
Group 1, 2 and 3 winners, David Gorrod, Jordan Creed and Will Hendenat
