Archive News
Jack, Seb and Alex contest top squash spot
Entry numbers again exceeded 50 at the latest Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix hosted at Harleston & Beccles with Norfolk U19 team mates Jack Bell, Seb Denby and Alex Foster contesting top spot.
Jack impressively won all four of his matches without dropping a game. Seb beat Alex 2-1 for second place. Sophie Hodges made a welcome appearance finishing 6th, and Will Collett (Cambs), Robert Mattocks and Jamie Foyster amazingly finished equal 7th after beating each other 2-1.
Final Placings 1. Jack Bell, 2. Seb Denby, 3. Alex Foster, 4. Alex Brown, 5. Nathan Taylor, 6. Sophie Hodges, 7= Will Collett, Robert Mattocks, Jamie Foyster.
In Group 2 Josh Brownlow from Harleston was too strong winning all four matches 2-0. William Henden saved a match point against Sam Lanham to finish second, and Olly Bickley also showed improvement finishing fourth, two places better than his seeding.
Final Placings 1. Josh Brownlow, 2. William Henden, 3. Sam Lanham, 4. Olly Bickley, 5. Alex Coburn, 6. Robert Davis, 7. Jake Bond, 8. Milo Butler 9. Giles Evans.
Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were all played at Harleston and saw the home team come within a whisker of making a clean sweep in all 4 groups.
In Group 3 Tom Snowling showed greatest improvement in overcoming a battling Sam Henden 3-1 for the group win, whilst Izaak Butler enjoyed close 3-2 wins over Jack Andrews and Alex Coates to finish 5th.
Final Placings 1. Tom Snowling, 2. Sam Henden, 3. David Gorrod, 4. Robby Coates, 5. Izaak Butler, 6. Alex Coates, 7. Jack Andrews.
The Harleston success story continued in Group 4 where Grand Prix newcomer Ramiz Razzaq edged out clubmate Alex Green 17-15 in the 5th game to take the honours. Young Daniel Fuller and Jade Spalding also fought a 5 game marathon for 7th position, with Daniel just proving the stronger.
Final Placings 1. Ramiz Razzaq, 2. Alex Green 3. Drew Butchart, 4. Jagan Crane, 5. Scott Marsh, 6. Mitchell Tompkins, 7. Daniel Fuller, 8. Jade Spalding.
Liam Bond fron Bannatynes, Norwich prevented the Harleston clean sweep by beating Barnaby Carless 15-13 to win Group 5 by the narrowest of margins. The girls were also represented strongly by Jessica Arneil, Alice Fuller, Katie Cox and Bonnie Butler who all showed improvement from earlier tournaments.
Final Placings 1. Liam Bond, 2. Barnaby Carless, 3. Jessica Arneil, 4. Alice Fuller, 5. Callum Andrews, 6. Katie Cox 7. Sam McCluskey 8. Lloyd Potter, 9. Bonnie Butler.
Group 6 saw another 5 Grand Prix newcomers competing from host club Harleston, and it was fitting that Emily McCluskey gained a group win after recording a great 17-15 win over clubmate Lottie Brownlow.
Final Placings 1. Emily McCluskey, 2. Lottie Brownlow, 3. Finn Cutting, 4. Amy Minns, 5. Josh Davis, 6. James Peterson, 7. Joe Henden, 8. Chloe Peterson, 9. Jude Bickley.
Tournament organizer Tony Henden said: “In providing 17 of the total entries, Harleston coach Ben Jackson has shown what can be achieved in a relatively short period of time, and provides an example of what can be achieved at any small club with a little hard work and enthusiasm.”
The next Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix, on June 21, takes place at The Norwich Sportspark, University of East Anglia, and looks set to be one of the largest one day Junior Squash events ever held in Norfok with its five glass-backed courts and spectator areas. More details and an entry form from GP organiser Tony Henden on 01603 748303, at tonyhenden@ntlworld.com, or see Coming Events page.
Pictured is Group 6 winner Emily McClusky receiving her trophy from Ben Jackson of the Harleston club.
