– Verwey too much for Gomes in Category A

NYRON Joseph used his agility and endurance to overpower a spirited Deje Dias in the Open final of the Ansa McAl Lucozade Handicap Squash Tournament yesterday afternoon at the Georgetown Club.

The win (15-14 and 15-10) for the 21-year-old is his second consecutive in the event and as last year, he played off the lowest score (-22).

The 25-year-old Dias (-8) was up to the challenge in the opening set, and it proved to be a battle of strength, fitness and wit. Dias tested Joseph at every opportunity, and he had the answers for his opponent’s shots, but he could not keep up with Joseph’s endurance and it showed. From a score of 11-2, Joseph clawed back to tie the game at 12-12. Dias got a second wind and both players had opportunities to win the set, but a miss-hit by Dias handed Joseph the opener.

In the second set, Dias was a spent force and Joseph did not show remorse. He made him work for every point. Nyron’s superior fitness was evident when he recovered immediately after a fall to challenge Dias’s soft attempt off the wall. The winner scored nine of the last 11 points to retain his title.

In the Category A final, 12-year-old Nicholas Verwey battled past Kirsten Gomes in three sets.

Verwey won the opener 15-13, before Gomes battled back to even the game 15-11. The pre-teen told the Guyana Chronicle after the game that he tried to play straight in the third set and to only go for winners when it was necessary. He won that set 15-12.

In the Open category plate final, Josh Abdool (4) disposed of Ian Mekdeci (5) 15-3, 15-9, while in the Category A plate final, Zachary Persaud (7) also claimed a straight set victory over Kamir Khan (8) 15-7, 15-14.

In the Category A third place clash, Abosaide Cadogan got past Mohryan Baksh 15-11, 15-6.

Steven Xavier gained a walk-over victory from Regan Pollard in the third place Open match while John Maikoo also finished with a walk-over win over Ashley Khalil in the Open plate third place game.