Guyana squash juniors in historic 11th consecutive overall team title triumph

Guyana clinched their 11th consecutive overall team title by securing the boys team title for the third consecutive year while adding a silver medal in the girls’ section when the 33rd Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) championship concluded yesterday in Barbados.

Guyana defeated Barbados 3-2 in the boys’ final with Benjamin Meckdeci Giving the Guyanese the lead by defeating U17 champ Shemane Griffith in a rematch of their individual singles battle, winning in straight sets 11-9, 11-3 and 11-4.

It would then become 2-0 as Caribbean U13 champ Shomari Wiltshire made light work of Darien Benn 3-0 before team captain Nyron Joseph sealed the title by winning his U19 matchup in straight sets.

OVERALL CHAMPS! Guyana’s junior boys and girls’ teams along with officials Garfield Wiltshire and Carl Ince bask in the moment.
OVERALL CHAMPS! Guyana’s junior boys and girls’ teams along with officials Garfield Wiltshire and Carl Ince bask in the moment.

With the title already lost, the home side eventually prevailed in the final two fixtures as Khamal Cumberbatch defeated Daniel Islam 3-0 and Reginald Brewster defeated Alec Melville 3-1. In the earlier girls’ team final, Guyana had to settle for the silver medal spot as they went down to Barbados by an identical margin.

Amanda Haywood defeated Rebecca Low 3-0 in their U17 encounter to give Barbados a 1-0 lead before Chelsea Samuel doubled the hosts advantage, downing Kirsten Gomes in their U13 encounter 3-0.

Caribbean U19 singles champ Akeila Wiltshire eventually pulled one back for Guyana, brushing aside Jodi Smith-Padmore by a 3-0 score line.

Nonetheless Barbados would clinch the championship in next fixture, taking an unassailable lead as U15 champ Megan Best downed Makeda Harding 3-0 in rematch on the U15 individual singles title fixture.

With the title already secured for the home side, Guyana would claim the final match as Gabrielle Fraser crushed Jada Smith-Padmore 3-0.

This is the 11th consecutive overall team title for Guyana, a run which commenced in 2005.