Last weekend the 2018/19 Miles Smith Essex Junior Squash Grand Prix series returned to Clements/Fusion after a two year break for round 7 of 8.
The event saw the debut of 2 new players fromClements Fusion but overall a slight reduction in entry due to the Easter Holidays. With the calendar as busy as it is, Easter is a period where we expect a dip in numbers due to the holidays. 39 players playing, 82 matches in a slightly more relaxed environment than normally seen at a Grand Prix.
In the girls year 4 & under Grace Woodhead faced a new challenge in Anna Hibbins from Fusion and as normal she rose to the challenge to win the group.
With the current girl’s year 6&U series leader Isabella Johns absent from the event, this gave others to shine and Grace Boore took her opportunity to dominate the group and take 1st place with Lola Walsh on only her second GP close behind in second.
The girl’s year 8 Group B proved to be a very competitive affair as always with Eleonore Dewey taking top spot from Eliza Hancock and Prabhneek Atwal taking 3rd.
In the boy’s year 4 & under Matthew Sutton continued his dominance of the group by taking first place with brother Tristan taking 2nd place. In 3rd place was Benedict Batchelor adding to his ever growing medal collection.
The Boys year 6 & under group saw two groups playing with Group A being dominated by Mr consistent, Louis Brown with Dylan Smithson pushing for second place overall in the medals table from his closest rival, Matthew Yip who on this occasion finished 3rd. In Group B the returning Matthew McCoy took the group win from Freddie Welsford-Knightley. Third place went to Sam Thomson-Teers.
Boys year 8 & under Group A saw Oren Goddard take his fourth group win of the season and with one round left to play, close the gap to second place Luke Weaver to 4 points in the overall table. Aidan Clifford took the remaining medal place from Group A by a point from Luke. In Group B, Jack Howell took the honour winning all of his matches. In Second place was Luke Sargood and Elliot Lyle third.
In the boy’s year 10 group, another hard fought group saw current series leader Trystan Fleming pipped to first place by Joe Ludlow-Gibbons, his group win taking him to second in the overall table by 1 point from Dominic Batchelor. Dominic finished third in the group.
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 Gary Holt and all the Staff at Clements Fusion Leisure Centre for making us welcome.
The final Grand Prix of the season takes us back to Bishops Stortford, one of our favoured venues. The date for your diary is Sunday 19th May 2019. With 3 GP titles still up for grabs, we are expecting some more competitive squash to finish the season. We look forward to welcoming you all.
David Harris – EJS Competitions Secretary
