DaSilva tops Gomes in thriller

Farfan and Mendes Squash Tourney
– Daniel Islam earns top spot in Category A final day of

The final day of a jam packed week of squash at the Farfan and Mendes Junior skill level tournament came to a dramatic climax on Sunday at the Georgetown Club courts.

The most entertaining match of the day, and possibly of the competition, was between Brenno DaSilva and Tiana Gomes, who treated spectators to a match full of two huge personalities as well as surprising rallies.
When Gomes dropped, DaSilva dropped a little lower; when DaSilva played a great cross court and the crowd was poised to congratulate a winning shot, Gomes skipped across the court for thrilling returns. Their contest ended with a smiling pair, a smiling audience and a smiling referee. DaSilva eventually won with some amazing serves, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3.

With 15 newbies in this tournament the week has shown a new wave of youngsters who have caught the squash bug; some of whom will no doubt move on to a great career in the sport.

In the higher categories, Mohryan Baksh and James Mekdeci did not disappoint. This anticipated battle began at the first serve and continued to the last shot. Evidence that squash in Guyana is moving forward; the two top Category C contenders are the product of skill and discipline. Baksh took the first game 11-9 keeping Mekdeci in the back of the court. Mekdeci used his hard hitting accuracy to take the second 11-8. Baksh continued to play his game and held on to take it home with two 11-9 games for the match.

In category B Demetrius DeAbreu stepped up in the third game against Alphonso and took the first game Micheal Alphonso has lost in the tournament, then continued in the fourth to contend for the title, but Alphonso’s shot selection and deception brought him out on top in a 3-1 win.

The top spot for category A was already decided as Daniel Islam had already dismissed Anthony and Samuel earlier in the week, but the match with Taylor Fernandes in her entity as challenger stretched both players. The final game of the tournament closed off this year’s junior season to a full venue at the Georgetown Club. Skill, tactical shot selection and power were key for both players and the well fought final could have been either players match but Islam dug deep and defeated Fernandes 3 games to 2.

As is customary in the Farfan and Mendes Christmas Tournament, recognition is given to those players who have notably improved and who performed outstandingly. This year Aishani Persuad and Nicholas Verwey were credited with Most Improved titles while Kirsten Gomes and Chad DeAbreu were awarded Most outstanding.