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03/11/2014
British Junior Championships 2014

Tecnifibre British Junior Championships 2014

30 October – 1 November – Manchester, UK

 

Parker and Kennedy Crowned British Champions

George Parker (Leicestershire) and Georgina Kennedy (Kent) claimed the U19 honours this weekend at the Tecnifibre British Junior Championships in Manchester. Parker was formidable throughout the event as he claimed the Don Sanderson Trophy without dropping a game, Patrick Rooney gave his all in the final against Parker but was unable to trouble the top seed who took the victory 11-7 11-4 11-4 in 27 minutes. Parker now adds the U19 title to the U17 trophy he won in 2012. Georgina Kennedy the 2nd seed in the Girls Under 19’s had a tougher and much harder fought victory as she came back from 2-1 down to steal the title from the grasps of top seed Lily Taylor (Leicestershire). Kennedy now has 3 titles to her name adding to the U17 in 2012 and the U15 in 2011.

Kyle Finch (Hampshire) continued his winning run in this event, last year’s U15 champion came into the event as top seed for the U17’s and justified his position as he ran out a 3-1 winner against 5/8 seed Charlie Lee (Surrey). Lee had a great tournament, knocking out the 2nd seed Robbie Keefe (Hampshire) and the 3/4 seed Harry Falconer (Lincolnshire), both 3-2 in a combined 185 minutes! He also gave Finch a battle in the final and took the first game but Finch was determined and had the momentum as he took the 3rd game 13-11 to take a 2-1 lead before eventually clinching it after 60 minutes. Amelia Henley (Kent) successfully defended her Girls Under 17 title, she faced Mari Taylor (Leicestershire) in the final who had a good result beating the 2nd seed Elin Harlow (Wales) in the semi-finals. Henley was just too strong in the final and powered to a 3-0 victory.

Nick Wall (Yorkshire) claimed his first national title in the Boys Under 15’s, Wall had a fantastic run and hadn’t dropped a game until the final where he was tested by the 2nd seed Jared Carter (Hampshire). Wall just edged the first 13-11 and pushed on to take the 2nd however Carter fought back to take the third making it 2-1 but couldn’t keep the pressure on. Wall came out in the fourth focussed and took the game to Carter, 11-6 to make it 3-1 in 36 minutes and crowned champion. Elise Lazarus (Essex) continues to impress and shine in the juniors as she picked up her 4th national title in a row this weekend, adding a second U15 title to the two U13 titles already in her name. Lazarus defended her title impeccably without dropping a game. 3/4 seed Karina Tyma (Avon) did well to reach the final knocking out the 2nd seed Ellen Cooper (Yorkshire) on her way and put up her best in the final but Lazarus was in devastating form and took the final 3-0 in 28 minutes.

Sam Todd (Yorkshire) made up for last year’s final heartache as he took home the Boys Under 13 trophy. Todd faced the 2nd seed Adam Goad (Cumbria) in the final and was too strong and determined from the start, taking the first 11-6 and powering through the second 11-3. Goad fought better in the third but was unable to take a game as Todd won 11-8 and with it his first British title. Wales enjoyed some success as 3/4 seed Layna Beattie took the Girls Under 13 crown, Beattie reached the final after knocking out the top seed Lucinda Cross (Durham & Cleveland) in the semi-finals 3-1. She faced 2nd seed Margot Prow (Middlesex) in the final, Prow competed well but didn’t have enough to stop Beattie who won 3-0 in 24 minutes.
 

Preview

The first major junior event of the season gets underway in Manchester this week as Britain’s best junior squash players compete in the Tecnifibre British Junior Championships. The National Squash Centre and the Northern Squash Club, Didsbury will play host to 300 players all competing for a chance to be named National Champion.    

In the Boys Under 19 category, George Parker (Leicestershire) comes in as top seed, he will be aiming to claim the Don Sanderson Trophy to add to the U17 title he won in 2012. Conor Sheen (Merseyside) is the events 2nd seed and he will be looking to claim his first national title. Bradley Masters (Kent) and Patrick Rooney (Merseyside) will also be looking to cause an upset with both players occupying the 3/4 seeded positions. Lily Taylor (Leicestershire) is hot favourite for the Girls Under 19 Crown as she looks to go one better than last year’s final defeat. Challenging her will be last years U17 finalist Georgina Kennedy (Kent) who is second seed along with 3/4 Seeds Jessica Davis (Cheshire) and Alison Thomson (Surrey).

In the Boys Under 17 category, number 1 seed Kyle Finch (Hampshire) will be hoping to add to his U15 title he won last year. He is seeded to meet his county compatriot Robbie Keefe in the final. Amelia Henley (Kent) will be returning to the Girls Under 17 category as defending champion, she will likely come up against former U13 champion Elin Harlow (Wales) who is second seed.

Nicholas Wall (Yorkshire) will be looking to claim a first national title in the Boys Under 15 category, seeded to meet him in the final is last years U13 Champion Jared Carter (Hampshire) who will no doubt be looking to add to last years success. Elise Lazarus (Essex) is aiming for an amazing 4th National Title in a row as she looks to defend her Girls Under 15 title. Hoping to put an end to her championship winning reign will be second seed Ellen Cooper (Yorkshire).

Last year’s Boys Under 13 finalist Sam Todd (Yorkshire) is favourite to clinch the title this year, his main competition is likely to come from second seed Adam Goad (Cumbria). Lucinda Cross (Durham & Cleveland) and Margot Prow (Middlesex) occupy the top 2 seeded positions in the Girls Under 13’s with both girls looking for their first British title.

The National Squash Centre and The Northern Squash Club will see competitive play over four days, from 30 October-2 November. Main draws will start at 9am on Friday 31 October with the Boys and Girls Under 13/15 being played in full at the Northern Squash Club in Didsbury while the Boys and Girls Under 17/19 play at the National Squash Centre.  Finals are scheduled for Sunday afternoon, all spectators wishing to watch the best junior players in the country are invited to attend the event free of charge.