Bank of Bermuda Foundation CASA Championships 2008
Posted by Pat Foster on 15-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
Rogers Report….
Hurricane Bertha – downgraded to a Tropical Storm – did her best to dampen spirits at the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA (Caribbean) Squash Championship, being held in Bermuda, but to no avail as the finals in individual competition were held in front of a packed and raucous audience at the BSRA’s squash club in this semi-tropical paradise.
Perhaps the spirits of Bermudian squash fans were dampened during the opening match in Girls Under 13, when Victoria Arjoon despatched Bermuda’s Emma Keane in 3 straight games, Arjoon repeating her success as last year’s Under13 champion.
Emma was up against a very strong and experienced player in Victoria Arjoon. This tournament is a real test for these young players, and Emma now gets an opportunity to test her skills against all of the best Under 13 girls in the Caribbean as we move into the Team Championships.
#1 seed Nku Patrick (T&T) looked to be planning a similar victory over #2 seed Jake Mahfood (Jam) as he surged through the 1st game and looked to be in total command. He began to faulter a little towards the end of the 2nd game as Mahfood chased down every ball, but Patrick hung on to take the game 10-8 with his superior shot making skills still evident. But sometimes sheer grit and determination makes up for other skills, and Mayfood came firing back on all cylinders, simply refusing to give up a single point without a fight. As his confidence increased, Patrick began to make errors and found himself increasingly on the defensive. Mahfood won the 3rd 9-3, and powered through the 4th 9-5 to set up an intriguing finale to an excellent match. At this point Patrick calmed himself down and began to find his length, while Mahfood was beginning to run out of steam. Patrick cruised through the 5th, winning it 9-1, to take his first Junior CASA title. This exciting young 11 year old will still be eligible to compete in Under 13 again next year, and will be tough to beat – again.
The Girls Under 15 final saw the appearance of a star of the future as Mary Fung-a-fat of Guyana put on an exhibition in her match against fellow team mate Ashley deGroot. deGroot is a fine player, but Fung-a-fat has all the shots and then some! Her backhand cross court proved deadly, and she seems to always have time to think about where to play her shots. The result was never in doubt as she conceded just 2 points in the 3rd game.
Next up in Girls Under 17 were the Jeffrey twins from Guyana, #1 seed Keisha and #2 seed Kayla. Keisha raced into an early 7-1 lead in the opening game, only to have Kyla fight back to level the score, and even serve for game point at 8-7. Keisha then tightened up her game and when her sister made an unforced error she pushed through to take the game 10-8. These two young ladies played exceptionally well, with Keisha slightly the stronger. Game 2 was almost identical; Kyla served for game point at 8-7, and again Keisha maintained her composure to win back serve and take this crucial game 10-8. She went on to win the 3rd game 9-4 and the title in fine style. The score is not indicative of the closeness of this match. Both twins displayed superb racket skills, had extended rallies, and played in the true spirit of the game. Dare one call them the Williams (of tennis fame) sisters of Caribbean squash!
The Boys Under 15 final involved two protagonists who have played each other several times in Junior CASA championships. #2 seed Noah Brown (Ber) won their first encounter when he took the Under 13 title 2 years ago, and in 2007 #1 seed, Kevan Hannaway (OECS), had won their last junior CASA match. On this occasion it was Hannaway who had the upper hand, despite enthusiastic support from Bermuda supporters for Browne. Hannaway was just too strong and won in straight games 9-4, 9-4, 9-2. Roger Sherratt commented, “Brown has made tremendous strides in his game this past year and should play very well in the Team Championships phase of the tournament. His opponent in the individuals final played brilliantly, but Brown has another opportunity when Bermuda plays OECS in the Team Championships, and he should do very well against all the other teams.
The next Boys Final, in Under 17’s, proved a much closer match between Cameron Stafford (Cay) and Alex Arjoon (Guyana). Both played superbly, with Stafford using his excellent racket skills to dominate the first 2 games. The 3rd game was a cliffhanger, as Arjoon fought his way back into the match against a clearly tiring Stafford who hit the tin repeatedly with a series of poor drop shots. Arjoon took this game 10-8, and the gallery began to sense that Stafford was beginning to fade. Had he lost the 4th it would likely have been game over, but Stafford continued to play his shots, keeping Arjoon at the back of the court whenever possible, while finding his touch again for effective drops as Arjeen began to tire. Both players struggled in the humidity, and it was an exhausted Stafford who managed to find the extra reserves to win the 4th and take the title in a thrilling encounter.
With the wind and rain howling outside the Devonshire courts by this time, it was on to the last two finals, and by coincidence, one of the finalists in each match are students of Wycliffe College in England who had just completed their “A” levels.
In the Girls Under 19 Final, #2 seed Kerrie Sample was representing Trinidad and Tobago for the fist time (her mother is Trinidadian), while her opponent, #1 seed, Cheri-Ann Parris of Barbados, has won every other age group title in Junior CASA, and had just spent 3 weeks at a training camp in Egypt. Although little known in the Caribbean, Sample had been playing regularly at Wycliffe and in U.K. tournaments where she is currently ranked in the top ten in England Under 19’s. She is no slouch!
This was without doubt, the match of the championships – from start to finish – and held a packed gallery engrossed as these two young ladies put on an incredible display. Parris took the first game 9-5 against a slightly apprehensive Sample, who promptly came back to win the 2nd 9-4. Both were striking the ball beautifully, playing to a good length and chasing down every ball. The 3rd game was a no-holds-barred affair, as both sought to take control of the “T”. Parris looked to be the fitter of the two as she managed to stay ahead through the 3rd to take it 9-7. She extended her lead at the start of the 4th and looked to be in command, but Sample showed her experience in competition as she forced herself to chase every ball while avoiding mistakes. Quite frankly, she looked too tired to go to a 5th, particularly as the conditions were so hot and humid compared with the U.K. , but somewhat against expectations she overtook Parris in this crucial game and won it 9-5 to set up an exciting finale in the 5th.
If the standard of squash in this match was high in the first 4 games, it reached a peak in the decider. Both played at their best. Sample managed to slowly take command, and won several crucial points for a 7-4 lead, only to have Parris win back service and the next point. An extra long rally had spectators on their feet, and when Sample won back serve it seemed to be a case of now or never! She hung in to take the last two points and claim her first ever Junior CASA title. There was really no loser in this fabulous match.
Bermudian squash fans had had a rather disappointing day, and their one remaining hope was the final match of the individual championship – the Boys Under 19 – between #1 seed, Robbie Maycock, the hometown hero, and OECS star, Joe Chapman, who had played in Bermuda in last years’ PSA World Championship as a wildcard entry. Their last three encounters, all of which were close 3-2 matches, were won by Maycock, who had has previously won the Junior CASA title in every other age group. Maycock had just completed his “A” levels in the U.K. while Chapman had been training in BVI with their new coach, Joe Kneipp, a former professional from Australia and a regular visitor to Bermuda.
It was a restrained gallery watching anxiously as Chapman surged into a 6-1lead in the first game with Maycock looking rather nervous. However, Maycock slowly found his length and began to take advantage of his height and his ability to retrieve anything and everything Chapman threw at him. He clawed his way to 8-8 and by this time had the confidence to go for his shots. Maycock took the first game 10-8,and this certainly seemed to rattle Chapman who continued to play well, but had no answer to Maycock who then picked up the pace and later said he played “out of his skin” in front of his home crowd. Maycock was hitting to a tight length, keeping Chapman pinned to the back of the court, then exploiting any opportunity to drop or boast in the front corners. He put on a terrific display of controlled squash, winning the 2nd game 9-2, and the 3rd 9-4 to take the Under 19 title in his last year as a junior. From the Bermudian fans’ point of view a great finish to the individual championships. Tuesday is a rest day, with Team Competition getting underway on Wednesday.
Extra comments from Roger Sherratt – “This was a fantastic final appearance for Maycock as a junior representing Bermuda. We were all expecting a very tough match against Joe Chapman, but Maycock played superbly. His ball control was in a different class, and he constantly had his opponent on the defensive using a variety of hard tight drives down the walls and deft touch strokes, from immaculate drops to high lobs to the back of the court.
This caps a great junior squash run for Maycock who has now won every age group title – Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and now Under 19. The only other player in Junior Boys to achieve this feat was another Bermudian, James Stout, who is currently working as a professional in New York.
Interview with Maycock
“I wasn’t expecting it to be 3-0 like that. The last two matches with Joe it’s been down to the wire 3-2. The home crowd played a huge role, and playing on my home court is a definite advantage. And maybe even the weather helped. Today it was a little cooler with all the rain – sort of made me think of England!
I thought I played out of my skin, despite a few errors. I started nervously in the 1st. Maybe I felt the pressure, especially as I’ve won every other age group and had a lot to lose. I was down 1-6 before I settled. I just tried to play my game, steady, tight length, keep him trapped at the back and exploit the front when I had an opportunity.
The first game we played at his pace – slowly – but in the 2nd I picked it up and volleyed a lot more to keep him pinned back, He seemed to tire as I grew in confidence. My shots seemed to come naturally, and the crowd got me pumped up and feeding on their energy.
I felt he was more or less finished in the 3rd game so I just kept my focus because he’s not the type to give up. I was solid and didn’t really have to dig deep today.
Now I’m off to the World Juniors with Micah and Noah. I know that will be a wake up call for me compared with here. It’s going to be really tough.”
Bank of Bermuda Foundation CASA 2008 – Photo Gallery
Posted by Pat Foster on 14-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
Click on the link to view the 1st set of photo’s available…. Junior CASA 08 Opening Ceremony
Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA Finals under way…
Posted by Pat Foster on 14-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
The first of the main finals has finished with Bermuda’s Emma Keane losing out Guyana’s Victoria Arjoon in the Girls Under 13 Final…
All results and draws will be posted on this site at the end of todays play.
Emma Keane, Noah Browne & Robbie Maycock all through to the finals!
Posted by Pat Foster on 13-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
Bermuda will have three representatives in the main finals of the Caribbean Squash Championships tommorrow…
Check out the full results and schedule on the Junior CASA 2008 page…
Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA 2008 – REVISED SCHEDULE DUE TO HURRICANE BERTHA
Posted by Pat Foster on 13-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
Check out the new schedule on the Junior CASA 2008 page at the top…
Maycock on track…
Posted by Pat Foster on 12-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
Robbie Maycock put in a strong performance in his match in the boy’s under 19 event today. He beat Adrian Dyer of Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 to move through to the semi finals. Check out the CASA 2008 page at the top to see full results…
Bank of Bermuda Foundation CASA Junior Championships Day 2
Posted by Pat Foster on 11-Jul-2008Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
First round matches began at 9am yesterday morning featuring lot’s of Bermuda’s top players. Play has just begun for todays schedule and Full results/draws can be found on the Junior CASA 2008 page
Rogers Report….
Bermuda’s Junior Minister of Sports, Senator Marc Bean, officially opened the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA (Caribbean) Squash Championships 2008, on the first day of competition between more than 120 young squash enthusiasts from 7 Caribbean countries – Barbados, Cayman, Guyana, Jamaica, OECS, Trinidad & Tobago, and host country Bermuda
There were no major surprises in the early matches, but Bermuda fans cheered enthusiastically when unseeded son-of-the-soil, Laird Simmons, in Boys Under 15, pulled off an upset win against 5-8 seed Alex McCallum (Cay) in the closest match of the day (9-6,10-8,2-9,6-9,9-3).
Boys Under 17 promises to be the toughest division. #1 seed Cameron Stafford of Cayman, the smallest Island competing in Junior CASA cruised through his first match dropping just one point, while #2 seed Alexander Arjoon (Guy) comfortably won his first match against Bermuda’s Korin Knights. Arjoon was joined in the quarterfinal by Guyana teammates Deje Dias and Oliver Kear-Downs. Other winners included Kale Wilson (T&T), and Bermudian trio Kristian Muldoon, Chris Stout and Micah Franklin.
In Boys Under 13, #1 seed Nku Patrick (T&T) received a bye and plays Julian Morrison (Jam) in the Quarters. The other seeded players all progressed to the Quarters, with Bermuda’s hopes resting on #3-4 seed Beckett Simmons and #5-8 seed D’Vario Thompson.
Boys Under 15 saw two OECS players through to the Quarters – #1 seed Kevin Hannaway with a bye, and unseeded Stefan Joseph who won in 4 games against #5-8 seed Nicholas Cameron (Cay). #5-8 seed Mathew Mackenzie (Bar) defeated Cody Stafford (Cay) without dropping a point and he meets #2 seed Noah Browne (Ber) in the next round.
Bermuda’s #1 seed in Boys Under 19, Robbie Maycock, who has previously won in every other age division, received a bye into the Quarters, while #2 seed Joe Chapman (OECS) had a comfortable win over Elijah Simmons (Ber). Chapman was making his second appearance in Bermuda after being invited to compete as a wildcard entry in last year’s PSA World Championship held on the Island.
Meanwhile, In Girls competition, the #1 seed in Under 17, Keisha Jeffrey (Guy) cruised through to the Quarters without dropping a point, as did her sister, #2 seed Kayla Jeffrey. The Barnes sisters from Bermuda, #3-4 seed Kelly, and #5-8 seed Rachel, also progressed, as did Lauren Mahfood & Brooke Burrowes of Jamaica, and Emily Bones & Jessica Scott of Trinidad and Tobago.
Guyana certainly have an impressive Girls Team in which Mary Fung-a-fat, in Girls Under 15 is the second of their three top seeds. She and #2 seed Asha Gibbs (Bar) received byes into the Quarters, with Fung-a-fat facing surprise winner Talia Abdool (T&T) who pulled off a marathon 3-2 win against #5-8 seed Eilidh Bridgeman of Cayman.
There was no action on the first day in either Girls Under 13 or Girls Under 19. In Girls Under 13, Guyana have another outstanding youngster in #1 seed Victoria Arjoon who is slated to meet Bermuda’s Emma Keane in the final if this division goes according to seeding. In Girls Under 19, all eyes will be on Barbadian star player, Cheri-Ann Parris, when she steps out on court. Cheri-Ann, who has been training in Egypt is one of the most outstanding juniors in the Caribbean and is strongly expected to take the Under 19 title.
Hovering some 200 miles off Bermuda is Hurricane Bertha which is losing strength and is expected to pass about 120 miles to the east of the Island on Sunday morning, but all of the action this weekend will be concentrated at the Devonshire Squash Courts as singles competition draws to a climax in the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior CASA Squash Championships 2008.
