It has been a busy and successful few weeks for popular Essex junior player Joe Blackmur who trains at the Off the Walls Squash Academy and Kingswood Squash Club.
In November, Joe successful defended his Tom Elton Barratt U-19 title at Bishop’s Stortford taking a huge amount of proud knowing that his name will appear in bold letters for a second time on the club’s impressive honours board.
Joe, from Billericay, carried that impressive vein of form into the Surrey Junior Open. In a strong field, the Essex player captured some notable scalps as he made his way through to the final. There, he faced a familiar foe in the shape of Perry Malik from Sussex who brought some exceptional form to the table. It was a cracking final and despite a valiant effort, Joe had to settle for the runners-up spot.
However, Joe is nothing if not determined and a week later he was back on court at the Redbridge Junior event. In an intense schedule, Joe notched five victories in a single day to carry off the winner’s trophy. Victory was sweet, especially as Joe also gained a revenge win over Perry Malik. Looks like some friendly rivalry is developing between the two players.
BELOW IS A REPORT OF THE TOM ELTON BARRATT EVENT POSTED BY BISHOP’S STORTFORD SC.
The 2016 Tom Elton Barratt Junior Squash Championships (an England Squash Bronze Sanctioned event) took place on 13th November at Bishop’s Stortford Squash & Racketball Club, Hertfordshire with a donation from all entry fees received being given to CRY. The tournament has been held each year since 1984 in memory of Tom who died from a heart attack caused by an undetected heart defect.
Sixty one enthusiastic squash players (boys and girls aged 8 to 18 years) took part on the day, coming from 9 local counties. During the day over 90 matches were played. ‘Home’ players from the Bishop’s Stortford Club who took part in the event were Alex Banhidai (who managed to retain the Boys Under 11’s event that he won last year), Luke Scott-Stevens, Ben Kelling, Bastian Kelling, Ben Coleman and William Johnson.
Club Manager Andrew Mulvey said “I’d like to thank the Committee for all their help during the day and give a special mention to my son and Club Professional player Nick Mulvey who produced all the draws and match schedule and managed to keep everything running smoothly on the day”
Winners were: Alex Banhidai (BU11), Stanley Sykes (BU13), Joel Braddock (BU15), Joe Blackmur (BU19), Renitha Srindran (GU11) Hannah Morley (GU13) Abigail Wilkinson (GU15) and Olivia Phillips (GU19)
BELOW IS A REPORT FROM THE REDBRIDGE JUNIOR OPEN WRITTEN DAVE KITCHENS
The Redbridge Junior Squash Open sponsored by Complete Waterproofing Service Ltd delivered a great day of Squash, headed by coach Dave Lazarus.
Entries came from far and wide with a strong presence of our Essex youngsters of which whom won most of the events. I watched a fair percentage of the matches played and it was a great day of high quality squash, and the youngsters showed discipline and remarkable maturity on court. Some great matches were played out.
Winners (Essex unless stated);
Manny Sattar won U11 Boys
Bailey Malik from Sussex won the U13 Boys.
Zaid Mushtaq won the U15 Boys.
Harry Kitchens won the U17 Boys.
Joe Blackmur won the U19 Boys.
Aliza Sheikh won the U15 Girls.
Torrie Malik from Sussex won the U17 Girls.
Katie Malliff from Bucks won the U19 Girls.
