NYRON Joseph and Michael Alphonso were crowned champions in their respective categories, but both had to work extremely hard to achieve their victories, when the curtains came down on the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Ansa Mc Al/Lucozade Handicap Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts yesterday.

In the Open final Joseph (-22) was pitted against Jonathan Antczak (+7). Antczak had secured his place in the final with an upset semi-final victory over Daniel Islam, while Joseph had beaten Theron Mohabeer to book his place in the final.

Joseph came out of the minus handicap with Jonathan at 10 points and eventually caught him at 11. He eventually won the first game 15 – 13. However, in the second game Joseph could only come out of the minus handicap with Jonathan at 12 points and just could not close the gap fast enough, as Antczak won the second game 15 – 12.

In the third game Joseph again came out of the minus handicap with Antczak at 10 points. At 12 – 2, Antczak was three points away from securing victory but could only win one more point as Joseph came back to win the third game 15 – 13.

In Category ‘A’ defending champion Abosaide Cadogan (0) was matched against Michael Alphonso (-4). Cadogan won a close first game 15 – 12 but Alphonso rebounded to take the second game 15 – 9. In the third game, Cadogan jumped out to a fast start, and leading 12 – 8 it seemed as if she would successfully defend her title . However, Alphonso won the next seven points to claim a well-deserved victory 15 – 12.

In the open category, Islam (-5) placed third when he defeated Theron Mohabeer (+8 ) by two games to one. In Category ‘A’ Kirsten Gomes (0) would finish third as she defeated Gianni Carpenter (-8), by two games to nil.

In the plate finals, both matches had straight set winners. In the Open plate final, Adam Alves (+5) beat Nicholas Narain (-12) 15 – 0 in the first game.