The inaugural Rotherley Junior Squash Open 2003, hosted by the Barbados Squash Rackets Association concluded Sunday at the Barbados Squash Club with several thrilling matches. Young Vincentian, Diarra Venner created a stir when he overcame Caribbean Under 13 Champion, Alain Mudeen (Cayman) in five energetic games to take the Under 13 title. The talented Venner, displayed agility and a high level of fitness on the court. His performance captured the “Most Promising Player” award.
The most keenly contested age category, Boys Under 15, saw two nail biting matches on the finals day”s play. In the final Alex Jordan (No 2) was fully extended before overcoming young Akil Liu Ross in five tight games (10-9 in the fifth). Akil, an U13 player, moved up to the Under 15 seeking greater competition and defeated No 1 Seed, Jason Cox, in the semi-finals.
Ross was commended for his fine effort at the prize giving ceremony. In the play-off for third/fourth places, Akil”s brother, Nkosi, opposed Jason Cox. Cox rushed to 2-0 lead but Ross clawed his way back to 2-2. The fifth game had spectators on the edge of the seats as both boys showed great determination and will to win. Cox slipped ahead in the fifth and sealed a narrow victory.
The Cumberbatch brothers, Rhett and Bryant, played undefeated in the U17 and U19 categories, moving past all opponents with straightforward wins. In Under 11 play, Moishe Steinbok, won his first squash title with a straight games win over visitor Andres Bascombe, who hails from St Vincent.
In girls action Barbadians Bo Harris, Cheriann Parris and Melanie Mark were victorious in the Under 17, 15 and 11 categories respectively. Harris, the Under 15 Caribbean champ moved up an age category and breezed by her fellow Bajan compatriots to win comfortably without dropping a game. Parris, the Caribbean Under 13 champ, defeated players from Trinidad, St Vincent and St. Lucia to win the Under 15 category. Melanie Mark playing in a small group in Under 11 defeated her two challengers. The Under 11 entrants, Mark, Zoe Lisk and Toni Q Harris are all relatively new to the tournament scene and gave a good account of themselves.
In the Under 13 category, the promising Sherina Slater of St. Vincent, was a winner, defeating Barbadian, Rachel Austin in the deciding match.
Representative of Rotherley Construction Inc, Joe Steinbok, addressed the players and spectators at the prize giving. Steinbok noted that his company was not in the habit of sponsoring sport but historically sponsored other development initiatives. He noted that he saw sport as a way for young people to shape and build their character and teach them about life.
He said Rotherley was pleased to have supported the event and he was pleased with the level of participation by locals and Caribbean nationals. He also touched on the importance of good sportsmanship at junior level and the role coaches, parents and administrators could play in assisting to this end.
Results
Girls U11
1. Melanie Mark
2. Zoe Lisk
3. Toni Q Harris
Boys U 11
1. Moishe Stinbok
2. Andres Bascombe (St Vincent)
Girls U13
1. Sherina Slater (St Vincent)
2. Rachel Austin
3. Zoe Lisk
Boys U13
1. Diarra Venner (St Vincent)
2. Alain Mudeen (Cayman)
3. Lawrence Gale
4. Moishe Steinbok
Plate Winner: Jonathon O”Dowd
Plate Runner up: Ryan Foster
Girls U15
1. Cheriann Paris
2. Tessa Martin (TT)
3. Amber Glasgow (St Vincent)
4. Aiko Roudette (St Vincent)
Boys U15
1. Alex Jordan
2. Akil Liu Ross
3. Jason Cox
4. Nkosi Ross
Plate Winner: Timothy Tulip
Plate Runner up: Nicholas Nunes
Girls U17
1. Bo Harris
2. Lea Solomon
3. Maia Blackman
4. Alex Leacock
Boys U17
1. Bryant Cumberbatch
2. Shane Slater (St Vincent)
3. Dominque Rivers (St Lucia)
4. Bruce Martin (TT)
Boys U19
1. Rhett Cumberbatch
2. Alex Garcia
3. Jonathon Foster
