Big Guns register wins on opening night

By Sean Devers
THE opening night of the Guyana Squash Association’s (GCA) Bounty Farm Ltd Mashramani Handicap tournament saw several ‘big names’ registering wins on Wednesday night at the Georgetown Club, on Camp Street.

Caribbean singles Women’s Champion, Ashley Khalil, along with Taylor Fernandes — who copped Silver at the Senior CASA in Jamaica — Alex Arjoon, Ashley DeGroot, National Champion Jason-Ray Khalil, Daniel Ince and Deje Dias were among the big names in winner’s row.

In one of the most competitive matches of the night, Avinash Oditt beat Josh Verwey in an epic battle, 15-13, 11-15, 15-12 in a match in which both players demonstrated excellent skills.

Starting the match with a handicap which was almost even, both players pulled out almost all the shots in the book, displaying a tenacious attitude and plenty of Court skill as they pushed each other, with Oditt eventually winning the first game.

The second stanza produced more entertainment for the fair size gathering of fans as Verwey displayed more intensity in some long rallies and clever use of the Court, which tested the stamina of Oditt.

Some well executed drop-shots had Oditt scrambling to keep the ball in play, to level the scores 1-1; taking the match into a third game.

The third game continued to be fast and furious with both players having their moments of brilliance, with lobs and backhand drop shots.

Long rallies, which included volleys and perfectly placed crossshots were the feature of the riveting contest, and when Oditt produced a magnificent nick shot into the space between the side wall and the glass, there was nothing Verwey could do as he went down 15-12 in the hard fought battle.

Another entertaining match was played between the tall Taylor Fernandes and Jonathan Antczak.

Antczak, with his trademark headband, matched Fernandes, watched by her illustrious cousin Nicolette Fernandes; her dad and President of the GSA, David Fernandes; and little daughter who excitedly yelled ‘Go mummy go’ to the amusement of those present.

It was Fernandes who would win the competitive match 15-12, 15-11.

In the other matches, Dias beat Demetrius De Abreu 15-10, 15-9; Jeremy Ten Pow defeated Noah Rahaman 15-7, 15-10; Ryan Rahaman beat Dennis Dias 15-12, 15-11; Jacob McDonald beat Ethan Bulkan 15-14, 10-15, 15-12; Justin Goberdan beat Kaylee Lowe 12-15, 15-11, 15-10; Demetri Lowe beat Zoey McDonald 15-12, 15-13; Brian Edwards beat Sarirah Summer 15-14, 15-12; Jason van Dijk beat Shiloh Asrengado, who threw his Raquette to the ground in disgust.

Rylee Rodrigues beat Malia Maikoo 15-9, 5-15, 15-12; Daniel Ince beat Reagan Rodrigues 15-10,15-9; Jason-Ray Khalil beat Tian Edwards 15-12, 15-12; Chad De Abreu beat Lloyd Fung-A-Fat 15-13, 12-15, 15-12; Steven Xavier beat Javid Rahaman 15-6, 8-15, 15-12; Nicholas Narain beat Anna Perreira 15-12, 15-11; Ashley Khalil beat Zachary Persaud 15-8, 15-11; Alex Arjoon beat Jean-Paul Bones 15-13, after he retired.

Ashley de Groot beat Kirsten Gomes 13-15, 15-8, 15-9; David Fernandes beat Nakita Hicks 15-12, 15-14 and Louis Da Silva beat Lydia Fraser 15-12, 15-15.
The tournament was scheduled to continue last evening.