Ben Richardson, Essex’s highest ranked under-15 player, powered to the Bexley Junior Open title on Saturday with a superb display of squash enhancing his growing reputation.
The Colchester-based player overcame a competitive semi-final match with county team-mate Tom Bird to set up a final showdown against Sussex number one, Perry Malik. Ben knew he had his work cut out against the former British National Under-13 quarter-finalist but he emerged triumphant with a mature performance full of invention, discipline and attacking play.
Josh Stinson added to the Essex presence in the U-15’s finishing runner-up in the Plate.
Charlie Martin stepped up an age-group putting himself among experienced opposition in the Under-17’s. In another encouraging display, Charlie got through to the quarter finals only narrowly losing to number one seed Ryan Grant.
And the ever-improving Joe Blackmur (pictured right) from Club Kingswood won the U17 plate, with Harry Kitchens from Southend a losing plate semi-finalist
Elli Barrott, the current Essex Under-13 title holder, finished third in the Bexley Under-13’s and there was a brave performance from Ellie Hewes who made her debut in an U-17 event, despite being just 11 years of age. Remarkably, Elli finished a creditable fourth in a hugely competitive division, which was eventually won by Kent’s rising young player, Yemaya Phillips-Smith.
Harry Martin looked sharp in the boys’ under-13’s as he reached the semi finals. Zaid Mushtaq and Mikey Tallentire both lost in quarters.
And Guy Tallentire made the quarters of the under-19’s. Eventual winner was Jack Martell, who came second at the Essex Junior Open U17s, beating Lawrence Green from Herts.