Nicholas Verwey displayed admirable grit and tenacity when he took down budding star James Mekdeci on Thursday evening in the continuation of the Woodpecker Products’ Junior National Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club Courts.
Madison Fernandes and Abosaide Cadogan brought out all the shots in their intense match
The two young titans were engaged in an intense Under-13 battle, trading shot for shot, using the full length and width of the court. Verwey dominated the first game 11-6.
Despite obvious signs of fatigue, Mekdeci dug deep into his inner recesses of determination and secured a successful second game 11-4, but he was unable to catch Verwey, who regrouped to edge ahead in the third 11-8, and hold on to win the fourth 11-9.
In the girls U-13, Leshante Berkley and Rylee Rodrigues produced a similarly exciting match. Berkley stormed Rodrigues for an 11-0 win.
Rodrigues was not about to go down without a fight, and she battled through the second game, pushing Berkley all the way, but was unfortunately not able to take this one, as Berkley managed a 12-10 win.
Undaunted, Rodrigues rattled off wins of 11-7, 11-7; and in the last game, it went to the wire in a 12-10 victory for Berkley, who took the match.
A similar scenario played out between Safira Summer and Malia Maikoo, each girl showing determination and grit to fight five games; with Summer emerging triumphant in a close match that ended in scores of 11-13, 11-4, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8.
The girls under-15 match between Abosaide Cadogan and Madison Fernandes did not disappoint. Both girl played outstanding squash with well thought out rallies, excellent court movements, and sound tactics.
The girls displayed a full repertoire of shots, powerful drives, low drops, trickle boasts and lobs. Cadogan retained her unbeaten record by pulling ahead in a three-game match that finished 12-10, 11-7, 12-10.
Action continues today, with the finals being on Sunday from 11:00h.
