AGE IS JUST A NUMBER FOR THE EVERGREEN ?DRAGON?
The 35th annual Barbados National Squash Championships, sponsored once again by the Barbados Olympic Association Inc., continued last night (Thursday) May 28th with a one more significant upset in the quarter-finals of the Men’s Main Draw when the recently crowned National Over-50 champion, Nigel ?the Dragon? Griffith proved once more that meticulous preparation and years of experience can overcome youthful flair and agility as he soundly defeated the #4 seed and former Caribbean Junior Champion, Bryant Cumberbatch, in four hard fought games. Griffith continues to amaze local squash pundits with his fitness and speed around the court and despite being 31 years older than his opponent was clearly up for the contest with the 20 year old Cumberbatch, who looked woefully short of work. After comfortably taking the first two games at 7 and 5 in ten minutes, the evergreen Griffith wobbled a bit as the stylish Cumberbatch stepped up his attacking play and hit a series of impressive winners to take the third game 11-4. In the fourth and decisive game the lead went back and forth and no player led by more than two points. At 10-9 up Cumberbatch squandered his only game point and as he contemplated what might have been Griffith snatched the last two points to win the match 11-7, 11-5, 4-11, 12-10 in a gripping 30 minute contest that was well appreciated by those at the Barbados Squash Club fortunate to witness it. Griffith now becomes the oldest player to gain a berth in the semi-finals of the National Championships that will be held today (Friday). He will face the top seed and five time defending champion, Shawn Simpson, who is only half his age, and who wore down a plucky Mark Gilkes after dropping the first game 11-13, 11-1, 11-7, 11-6 in half an hour.
The other Men’s semi-final will be between former champion and #2 seed, Gavin Cumberbatch, who defeated his younger brother Rhett Cumberbatchin straight games, and the other seasoned veteran, #3 Mark Sealy, a former eight-time national champion, who had to work hard in a bruising encounter with Marlon White but who won in four games in 40 minutes. The Ladies semi-finals tonight are as expected with the top seed and reigning eight time champion, Karen Meakins facing #4 Carla Jackson and #2 seed, Cheri-Ann Parris, facing #3 Lilianna White. All four ladies enjoyed easy victories in their respective quarterfinals.
In all 17 matches were played last night at the Barbados Squash Club (BSC), Marine Gardens, Hastings, Christ Church:
Ladies Quarter-finals
#1 Karen Meakins def. Ayoni Bradshaw 11-4, 11-4, 11-2
#4 Carla Jackson def. Gylla Mackenzie 11-2, 11-5, 11-4
#3 Lilianna White def. Cylla Seale 11-7, 11-9, 11-2
#2 Cheri-Ann Parris def. Zoe Lisk 11-2, 11-6, 11-0
Men’s Quarter-finals
#1 Shawn Simpson def. Mark Gilkes 11-13, 11-1, 11-7, 11-6
#5/8 Nigel Griffith def. #4 Bryant Cumberbatch 11-7, 11-5, 4-11, 12-10
#3 Mark Sealy def. #5/8 Marlon White 11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9
#2 Gavin Cumberbatch def. #5/8 Rhett Cumberbatch 11-6, 11-8, 12-10
Men’s Consolation Plate 1st Round
#5/8 Fabian Goodridge def. Charles Chambers 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
Don Benn def. Tony Mackenzie 2-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8
Leon Truss def. Roger Martin 16-14, 11-3, 6-11, 14-12
Mickey Armstrong def. Cliff Nolan 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 1-11, 11-7
Men’s Plate ? 1st Round
Andrew Nunes def. Matthew Mackenzie 11-8, 11-7, 12-10
Jonathan O?Dowd def. Ryan Foster 4-11, 13-11, 11-5, 12-10
David Foster def. Stewart St. John 11-3, 11-2, 12-10
Ruairidh (Rory) Mackenzie def. Barry Gale by default
Ladies Plate ? 1st Round
Zoe Lisk def. Kennilee Ward 11-8, 11-6, 12-10
This evening (Friday) will see action in both the Ladies and Men’s semi-finals will be played as well as the semi-finals of the Ladies Plate, the Men’s Plate and the Men’s Consolation Plate. The first round of the Men’s Classic Plate will also be played. In all a total of 13 matches will be played this evening, beginning from 5:45 p.m.
The fully updated championship draw can be downloaded from the BSRA’s website by following the link below. All finals will be played this Saturday, May 30th beginning from 2:00 p.m. with the last match, the Men’s final, scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.
The presentation of trophies for this tournament and the National Veterans Championships that preceded it two weeks ago will be held in BSC court #1 immediately following the Men’s final on Saturday afternoon.
