Double Victory for Racquets Juniors in one day tournament

RACQUETS Squash Academy juniors blew competitors out of the water last weekend, taking first place in two out of three categories in a one-day tournament at Racquets Fitness centre in Thame.

On Saturday, January 28, 16 junior squash players from all over the South Region, ranging from beginner/intermediate level to county level participated in the tournament.

In the junior grade C category, consisting of eight players of similar ability, Mac Readman who has been playing squash at Racquets for a number of years now, really came into his own showing off his full potential against his fellow competitors. He ‘sailed’ through the tournament without dropping a single game and it was clear to see that he has the capability to compete with the more advanced players if he keeps working hard at his game. Alex Glover, who has been playing in the Racquets academy for just over a month now, was runner up in this category. The academy is allowing Alex to improve his game at a rapid rate as he is now playing between three and four days a week and getting coaching specific to his game by the likes of Sue Martin-Downhill and Ben Hedger, both qualified squash coaches.

In junior grade B, Abingdon junior, Alex Smith, proved to be too strong for the juniors at racquets, not dropping a single game, but was graceful in his wins. It was a great to see another junior in Oxfordshire improving their game. Silas Glover, another Racquets developing player, was runner up, not able to beat one of his fellow competitors who he previously had lost to in the past.

Six players in the junior grade A category, played a round robin, a format of play where each player had to play against every other competitor in their category. This allowed for plenty of match time for all the players, and allowed for a more accurate representation of who the winner would be. James Portsmouth, another junior at Racquets who is also in the Racquets junior academy, played out of his skin, not dropping a single game to any of his opponents. Revenge was in his mind from losing out on victory in the previous tournament in December, so he went into this tournament hungry and raring to go. He was able to beat players that he had lost to previously which shows how much his game is coming on in such a short period of time.

Wendover junior, Ben Randrup, was runner up, just losing out on first place by a few points. As well as training at Wendover, Ben has been attending junior training at Racquets once a week for just over two months and is also receiving private coaching by Racquets coach, Ben Hedger.

For more information about playing squash from young age or starting later in life, please contact Sue, Simon or Ben at Racquets Fitness Centre on 01844 261754.

SOURCE – Contributed