Action in the Toucan Industry Squash Tournament will heat up as the event climaxes tomorrow evening at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts.

Eagle eye! Oliver Kear-Downes (right) about to unleash a forehand shot during his clash with Deje Dias on Friday evening at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts. (Orlando Charles photo)

When the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) organised competition continued on Thursday evening, Jason Ray Khalil, fresh from his outstanding squash against Oliver Kear-Downes the previous night, returned to teach his sister Ashley a valuable lesson.

Downes, on the other hand, rebounded to defeat Deje Dias in what was the night’s best game.

Playing in the night’s final game, Downes fell 11-9 in the first set by some brilliant ball hitting by Dias who continued his fiery play to clinch the second set 11-6.

But Downes after the break came down from the clouds and sank Dias 11-7. He then showed his superiority to win the other two sets 11-7 and 11-6.

In the battle of the Khalils, Jason Ray who along with Ashley, were former recipients of the National Sports Commission (NSC) junior male and female sports award, offered more of a one-sided affair.

Jason  barely allowed Ashley to take her breath in each set which he won in emphatic fashion and the game in straight sets, 11-1, 11-6 and 11-4.

Meanwhile Joven Benn played some wonderful squash to beat Steven Xavier. After a slow and sluggish start by both players, Ben eventually won the first set 11-7. Xavier, however, came back strong to claim the other two sets over Ben 11-3 and 11-6.

The third set would be quite an interesting one as both players made use of the floor and weren’t afraid to swing their racquets with precision. Ben came from being down 8-10 by Xavier to win the set 16/14 and then moved on to some textbook shots and won the final and decider 10-8.

The top two finishers from each group will do battle in tonight’s final.

Below are the full results from Thursday night’s games:
Category A

Jason Ray Khalil defeated Ashley Khalil 11/1 11/6 11/4

Alexander Arjoon defeated Nyron Joseph 11/7 11/9 11/6

Oliver Downes defeated Deje Dias 9/11 6/11 11/7 11/9 11/6
Category B

Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Jonathan Antczak 11/7 11/4 11/5

Joven Benn defeated Steven Xavier 11/7 3/11 6/11 16/14 11/8

Victoria Arjoon defeated Jason Van Dyk 5/11 11/3 12/10 11/9

Category C

Ricky Rodrigues defeated Kristina Cheeks 11/1 11/6 11/8

Akeila Wiltshire defeated Gabrielle Fraser 11/3 11/5 11/5

Category D

Ian Meckdeci defeated Ben Meckdeci 15/13 11/4 10/12 11/8

Alec Melville defeated Alexander Cheeks 11/7 14/12 11/9

Category E

Larissa Wiltshire defeated Travis Whitehead 11/3 11/0 11/0
Category F

M. Khusial defeated Savannah Mendes 11/2 11/2 11/3

Rebecca Low defeated Savannah Mendes 11/2 11/3 11/2

M. Khusial defeated Rebecca Low 11/1 11/2