THE Ansa McAL-sponsored Lucozade Handicap tournament closed out yesterday with Nicholas Narain (-15) being crowned king after a three-game point-for-point battle that had spectators spellbound with the standard of play.

Daniel Ince took the plate title, while Louis DaSilva achieved his first title in the Category A group and Lajuan Munroe nabbed the A plate.

Nicholas Verwey (-10) was truly a worthy opponent in the ultimate match-up for the title; showing evidence of his disciplined training regime and enthusiasm for the game.

Narain tactically kept Verwey off the T and worked him around the whole court in the first game.

Verwey’s retrieval skills kept the rallies running long and often 20 plus shots were kept in play by either player performing the almost impossible. In the second, Verwey used his drops effectively and worked Narain into the corners to secure his win. The third game of an outstanding match of great depth, great squash and great athletes, landed on the side of the experienced Narain for the 15/14, 13/15, 15/11 win.

In the open plate, after a game apiece, tired legs from both players in the third between Daniel Ince (-9) and Ian Mekdeci (-4) slowed down what had been a fast-paced clash. Ince took the first in smooth fashion with tight lengths and low drops.

Mekdeci pulled it back in second pushing to hold Ince off at 15/14. Relying on talent in the decider rather than fitness, Ince was able to move up his deficit and close off the game at 15/9, 14/15, 15/11.

The title of the Category A was earned by a much improved Louis DaSilva (-8) over Zachary Persaud (-8).

DaSilva came out strong and played a clever tactical game from the outset, placing his shots to get them past Persaud. Persaud came out determined in the second game and made his bid to stay in the game with tighter play which set him ahead. DaSilva kept his head and worked away to even out and eventually push in the last two points to close off in straight games 15/6, 15/14.

For the Category A plate, Joshua Verwey made a valiant effort with good lengths against eventual winner, Lajuan Munroe.

Munroe forced young Verwey into every corner of the court, working him through most of the rallies; Verwey stuck with it and kept the scores close. Munroe managed a 13/15 win in the first and Verwey answered with a 15/14 win in the second but couldn’t quite hold on in the third and conceded the decider. Munroe triumphed 15/13, 14/15, 15/12.

Results for Sunday’s play

Open Category
Winner: Nicholas Narain
Second Place: Nicholas Verwey
Third place: Deje Dias
Fourth Place: Gianni Carpenter

Open Plate

Winner: Daniel Ince
Second Place: Ian Mekdeci
Third place: Kirsten Gomes
Fourth Place: Ethan Jonas

Category A

Winner: Louis DaSilva
Second: Place Zachary Persaud
Third place: Shiloh Asregado
Fourth Place: Matthew Spooner

Category A Plate

Winner: Lajuan Munroe
Second Place: Joshua Verwey
Third Place: Teija Edwards
Fourth Place: Angel Rahamin

Open Category

Nicholas Narain (-15) defeated Nicholas Verwey (-10) 15/14, 13/15, 15/11
Deje Dias (-15) defeated Gianni Carpenter (5) 15/, 15/

Open Plate

Daniel Ince (-9) defeated Ian Mekdeci (-4) 15/9, 14/15, 15/11
Kirsten Gomes (0) defeated Ethan Jonas (4) 15/9, 12/15, 15/12

Category A

Louis DaSilva (-8) defeated Zachary Persaud (-8) 15/6, 15/14
Shiloh Asregado (3) defeated Matthew Spooner (9) 15/8, 15/6

Category A Plate

Lajuan Munroe (5) defeated Joshua Verwey (3) 15/13, 14/15, 15/12
Teija Edwards (0) defeated Angel Rahamin (2) 13/15, 15/12, 15/9