High hopes for Ben in British Junior Open squash

Ben Hedger, Under 19s winner

YOUNG Ben Hedger’s preparations for the British Junior Open Squash Tournament in Manchester this coming weekend, are on track following his win in the under 19s boys category in both the Abingdon Junior Open and the Southampton Junior Open last weekend (24/09).

Ben, who is a pupil at Lord Williams ‘s Upper School in Thame, plays and trains at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame, and plays for the men’s First team in the Oxfordshire leagues. He has been playing squash for about eight years.

Although the Abingdon Junior Open was a fairly local, Oxfordshire event, which Ben won without dropping any games, the Southampton tournament involved Ben in pitching his skills against players from further afield. One of Ben’s coaches, Simon Martin, said: “We are so proud of Ben’s determination in coming back from behind in both the ‘semis’ and the final to win both matches.

The semi-final was against the number one seed, Adam Sindall-White, ranked 63 in England, who had travelled all the way from Somerset. The final was against the number two seed from Sussex, Julian Standish who is ranked 113 in the Under 19s in England.

Ben is hoping this determination will be strong enough this coming weekend to create some upsets, as there will be players from all over the world.

Another of Racquets’ young squash players, Nick Harbour, also played in the Abingdon tournament coming a very respectable third, having recently moved up to the Under 17s.

On behalf of the club, a proud Simon Martin said: “Well done to both of them and good luck this weekend!”