A CLUTCH performance for the Guyana Boys’ team and a formality win to finish off a completely dominant Girls team tournament win, guaranteed Guyana their unprecedented eighth straight overall title at the Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Junior Caribbean Squash Championships in Jamaica. The Girls’ team also became seven-time team champions, with an impressive 4-1 victory against host team Jamaica.
Team captain Mary Fung-A-Fat capped an awesome tournament performance in her final match by beating Jessica Perkins in straight games, a win that saw her finish the tournament with an immaculate record on the stats sheets, winning all her matches without losing a single game in both the Girls’ Under-19 singles and the Girls’ Team tournament.
Fung-A-Fat was seeded number one in the Girls’ Uunder-19 draw and captured her fourth Caribbean title by beating compatriot Ashley DeGroot in the all-Guyanese Girls’ final of that division.
The other victors in Guyana’s final match of the tournament were Victoria Arjoon, Rebecca Low and DeGroot.
In the Under-19 second string matchup, DeGroot defeated Dana Saulter. Arjoon eased to a 3-0 win against Mary Mahfood, Rebecca Low also completed a stunning 3-1 win against Mia Mahfood, while Larissa Wiltshire lost to three-time Junior CASA champion Alyssa Mullings.
In spite of injuries, illnesses and loss of confidence from their semi-final defeat to Bermuda on Wednesday night, the Guyana Boys’ team mustered up the courage to secure one more win to put Guyana in a position to reclaim the Overall title.
Under-17 champion Nyron Joseph was not 100% to compete, hence Under-17 second string player Jean-Claude Jeffrey took his place and lost to Nku Patrick in straight games.
Jason Ray Khalil played through his hamstring strain, but lost to Mandela Patrick also in three games, before National Under-15 champion Benjamin Mekdeci, Shomari Wiltshire, and Steven Xavier came to Team Guyana’s rescue with crucial wins in their encounters.
Shomari Wiltshire defeated Nicholas Caddle 3-0, Mekdeci powered ahead of Chad Salandy in straight games while Xavier crushed Michael Gillezeau.