Wiltshire beats Fernandes in straight sets to win final

Farfan & Mendes Junior Squash Tournament….

National player Shomari Wiltshire defeated the Caribbean girls’ under-19 runner-up Taylor Fernandes in three straight sets win the final of Categeory A as the curtains came down on the Guyana Squash Association in collaboration with its number one corporate sponsor Digicel’s annual Farfan & Mendes Junior Squash Tournament on Sunday.

Playing at the Georgetown Club squash courts Wiltshire was unbeaten coming into the match but Taylor who held off challenging Alex Cheeks the day before was upbeat about her chances.

Wiltshire won the first game 11 – 6, took the second game 11 – 5 and then won the third game 11 – 6 to win the match by three games to love.

In the other match in this category Alex Cheeks had to work surprisingly hard to overcome the challenge of Anthony Islam. Alex won a close first game 13 – 11, but then easily won the next two games, 11 – 3, 11 – 4.

In category B Rebecca Low was up against Makeda Harding. Coming into the match today Rebecca was unbeaten but Makeda had lost to a much improved Samuel Ince-Carvalhal. Rebecca won the first game 11 – 5, but then seemed to lose her aggression as Makeda won the second game 11 – 4. Makeda won the third game 11 – 5 and then closed out the match with an 11 – 7 win in the fourth game. In the match – up between Gianni Carpenter and Maya Collins, Gianni prevailed in three close games, 12 – 10, 11 – 9, 11 – 8.

In category C Michael Alphonso who was unbeaten coming into his match today against Demetrius De Abreu ensured that he would remain that way as he won the match in four games. Michael won the first game 11 – 5, but lost the second game 9 – 11. He however bounced back to win the third game 11 – 8 and then won the fourth game 11 – 7. In the match between siblings Lucas and Ethan Jonas, younger brother Ethan was victorious winning in three straight games, 11 – 5, 13 – 11, 11 – 9.

In category D where the matches had been extremely close today proved to be no exception. Madison Fernandes was coming up against Kirsten Gomes. This was a virtual final as both girls had won all of their previous three matches.

Madison won a close first game 12 – 10, but Kirsten bounced back to take the second game 11 – 7. Madison then won the third game 11 – 6, but Kirsten rebounded to take the fourth game 11 – 5. The fifth game was close throughout with neither of the two players having more than a two point advantage.

It was two all, then five all, then nine all, then ten all, but then Madison won the next two points to record a well deserved victory. In the other match in this category Aliyah Persaud defeated Jason Gomes 11 – 9, 9 – 11, 11 – 4, 11 – 6.

A total of nine categories were contested with each of the players being grouped according to skill rather than age.

The tournament served as preparation for some players before they participate in the United States open and the Canadian open next month.