Juniors shine in Guyana

Lindsey Turnbull, July 15, 2017, http://www.caymanreporter.com/...uniors-shine-guyana/

Cayman’s novice squash team represented their country in fine style in Guyana taking third team place in the 2017 Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association championship at the beginning of July.

Individual players also put in some outstanding performances, with Jace Jervis, 12, taking gold in the boys U13 and Jade Pitcairn, 15, runner-up in the girls U17 categories.

Cayman’s 10-year-old Brodey McComb gained a well placed fourth place in the boys U11, while Olivia Kluyver, 12, and Emma Turnbull, 17, both took fifth place in their categories – girls U13 and girls U19, respectively.

The Cayman junior squash team

Coach Mark Chaloner said he felt overall everyone played well and he was pleased with all the players’ efforts and ability to stay calm on court.

Chaloner said that U13 winner Jace had made a great start in his squash career, following on from his older brother Julian’s impressive wins in successive junior CASA tournaments.

“Jace Jervis was very solid throughout his campaign, following in his brother’s footsteps, beating Aiden Parris from Barbados in the final a decisive 11/5 11/5 7/11 11/8,” he said.

“Another outstanding performance came from young Brodey McComb, who beat Andrew Cox from Bermuda in a thrilling four game match in the quarter finals of the boys U11. He went 1-0 down and then came back and won the next three games, but one went to 13/11 and the last one 14/12. The crowd was on the edge of their seat. Brodey eventually won 6/11 13/11 11/4 14/12.”

Jade Pitcairn played arguably her best match in her semi-final against Mekeda Harding of Guyana, Chaloner confirmed. “Last year she beat her at home 3-1, but this year she won in three games and played the most structured game I have seen her play yet. Jade dominated the centre of the court, moved her opponent round the court to force weaker shots and punished them when they came, making few mistakes along the way, winning 11/8 11/6 11/5.”

Jade lost to Meagan Best of Barbados 11/7 11/4 11/1 in the final, to claim silver.

Although losing her first match, Emma Turnbull refused to be defeated in her 5/6th place play-off match, which Chaloner described as a “hum-dinger”.

“Emma went 2-0 down both games 12/10, then seemed to refuse to lose and steadily upped her game to win the next three 11/9, 11/5, 11/6, taking fifth place in the girls U19,” Chaloner said.

“Olivia Kluyver’s 5/6th place match was also a great game and a real nail biter. She also played the same girl and gained the same result in the last match of the team event against Trinidad, to win Cayman’s second match against them.”