Thame to host National Junior tournament this weekend

YOUNG squash players from all over the country will be battling for National Junior ranking points this weekend (January 31/Feb 1) when Racquets, Thame, hosts the Racquets Junior Open tournament – an England Squash sanctioned event for juniors aged from 9 to 16 years-old.

15 year-old Nick Harbour

Racquets’ Squash Academy coach, Sue Martin Downhill, said: “This weekend Racquets junior, Ollie Coulcher-Porter, age 9, and Nationally ranked 99 in the Under 11s, will compete in the Mixed Under 11s against girls and boys who are likely to have been playing since they were 4 or 5 years of age and have a year or two of experience in national ranking tournaments. We are sure that he will do himself and Thame proud.

“In the Under 15s Nick Harbour (UK #46) will be looking to take the top spot as he is seeded Number 2. His matches against his arch nemesis, Marcus Tranter (UK #25), have been close recently with the results going either way. This weekend will be quite a showdown.

“Ben Hedger (UK #63) is seeded 3/4 in the Under 17s. Ben is playing well again after a recent injury and will be hoping that it won’t recur under the strain. He has the capacity to do very well but he will meet the Number One in the semi-final, Todd Bennett, who is ranked #34 in the National Under 17s rankings – a full 29 places above him.

“We wish all our players the best of luck,” said Sue, “and if anyone would like to come down and watch, the rounds will be played throughout Saturday from 10am. Some of the finals will be on Saturday evening from around 5pm and on Sunday.”