Next stop on the Squash Wales Junior Circuit was the South Wales Junior Open hosted by Maesteg. It was so heartening to see the event being staged at Maesteg. A club with such a rich history and pedigree back hosting a major Junior event is such a positive for Squash in Wales. Watching all the players competing brought back fond memories of my junior days battling it out on the show court at Maesteg. The competition was fierce with National selection on the line for many players. As National Coach it was very rewarding to see the younger age groups with positive numbers and players competing in their first ranking event.. In the u11 boys Jacob Green beat Jack Baldwin in a high-quality final. In the u11 girls Heidi Hales beat Elizabeth Selway in the final, great to see Elizabeth in her first final. U13 boy’s local boy Thomas Fenlon beat Jude Kanjirathingali, U15 boys Archie Davies Clarke continued his fine form beating Reuben Davies in the final. In the u15 girls a second title for the home club with Megan Beynon beating Erin Lauder in a high quality five setter. The under 17 boys title was a 3-way shootout between Ollie Jones, Declan Cottrell and Louis Stephens, in some truly grueling matches Louis Stephens prevailed with a 5-set win over Ollie Jones in the final. In the combined U17/19 girls event Hannah Rowley from Wycliffe claimed the title against Olivia Stephens. Evan Davies Clarke won the boys title in a titanic battle against home favorite Ioan Davis. Wonderful event, great squash and a pleasure being back in Maesteg, looking forward to next year’s event.
Greg Tippings
Junior National Coach
