The 2018/19 Miles Smith Essex Junior Squash Grand Prix series moved to Lexden Racket & Fitness Club for round two of eight.
Sixty players entered our second Grand Prix of the season, a record number of entries. Another 12 debutants to the series proved the format of our event goes from strength to strength as we continue to provide individual competition as close to the format of England squash events within the county.
In the girls year 4 & under Grace Woodhead in her first season took the honours again whilst in girls year 6&U Isabella Johns proved to be the class act again as she wrapped up the group win with Rebecca Salmon second and Lucy Blackmore third.
The girl’s year 8 Group B was boosted by debutant Kaytie Lyle and returning Leonie Powling. Taking top spot, Eleonore Dewey pushed Eliza Hancock into 2nd with the ever improving Leonie Powling taking 3rd.
In the combined Girls year 8 and 10 group, debutants Grace and Olivia Knox were teamed up with Sophie Foskett and the top two from GP1, Felicity Halim and Ruby Hester. Sophie continued her dominance by defeating Grace and Olivia Knox whilst Felicity continued her supremacy over Ruby by taking the Year 8 top spot
In the boy’s year 4 & under the players were separated into two groups with another 3 players making their GP debuts. In Group A, Matthew Sutton continued to be the player to beat by taking four wins out of four with Cullen Clark improving on his previous result taking second. Third in Group A went to Noah Smith. In Group B Jamie Banhidai won his first group sweeping all before him with debutants Benedict Bachelor second and William Russell third.
Boys year 6 & under group again saw two groups playing with Group A being dominated by Louis Brown with Matthew Yip taking second and Mark Kapinos third. Group B, featuring 3 debutants to the series was won by one of those debutants Dylan Smithson with Daniel Gladwell second and Oliver Mayhew-Gay third.
Boys year 8 & under featured the largest number of entrants so far with 3 groups. In Group A, Luca Batley continued his dominance taking top spot from Arjan Kingra (as per GP1) with Aidan Clifford taking third place. In Group B, George Woodhead (playing up from Year 6) continued his winning form taking the group without dropping a game. Second was Jack Howell with Tommy Lyons taking the bronze. In Group C, which included 3 debutants, Oren Goddard took first place with Oliver Wilson second and Sebastian Bachelor third.
In the boy’s year 10 group, the return of the Hart brothers alongside existing and first time players boost the ranks of this age category so that two groups were formed. In Group A Oliver Hart took top honours with GP1 winner Archie Hassett in second. Third was Lexden local Trystan Fleming. In Group B, debutant Luke Russell took the honours with Thomas Hart second and Dominic Bachelor third.
I would like to thank all parents and players for your continue support of the premier Essex Junior Grand Prix series A big thank you to Lexden Rackets and Fitness Club and all their staff for making us welcome, especially club coach, Paul Allen.
Grand Prix 3 sees a return to Connaught Squash Club in Chingford on 25th November 2018 where another bumper entry is expected. We look forward to seeing you all in November.
