Shomari Wiltshire wins most eventful match of the night

By Sean Devers

IT was action galore on Friday night at the Georgetown Club on the fourth and penultimate evening of the Guinness Senior National Squash Championship, with the match between defending Champion, Shomari Wiltshire, and Samuel Ince-Carvalhal having all the ingredients for the most entertaining match of the night.

The game, which had a few ‘lets’ for physical contact by the players resulting in Shomari’s goggles being broken and Samuel’s Raquette being knocked out his hand and the sole of Samuel’s shoe becoming loose causing him to the change it during the match.

The action was fast and furious as both players were engaged in long rallies in a contest of high-quality Squash from the pair who have played at the senior Caribbean Level.

The superb execution of back hand drives and well-timed drop shots and the mental toughness shown was ideal preparation for this year’s senior CASA scheduled for next month.

The contest ebbed and flowed as Shomari, who looked bigger and stronger, took the first game 11-5 before the left-handed Samuel won the second and third games (11-6, 11-4) to jump to a 2-1 lead in match.

But Wiltshire went on to win the next game 11-7 before taking a physically and mentally draining final game, 12-10, to close out the absorbing match 3-2.

The first match between the Wilshire siblings (Larissa and Akeila) set the tone for what would be an exhilarating night of high standard Squash.

Watched by their da — former National Champion Garfield Wiltshire — the sisters went at each other in long rallies with the older and more composed Akeila taking a 2-nil lead; winning 11-8, 12-10.

But the fitter looking Larrissa, who showed her emotions more, rebounded to take the next three games 11-5, 12-10, 11-3 to prevail 3-2 over her southpaw sibling.

The 40-year-old Nicolette Fernandes used her vast experience to get the better of her younger and taller cousin, Taylor Fernandes Henry, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8.

In the final game, Taylor took a three-point lead but Nicolette changed her tactics and fed Taylor ‘lob’ servers to take the game and the match.

As the night progressed, the crowd, which included National Junior team Coach Carl Ince and legendary Guyanese Singer, Dave Martins, increased and at the end of the night they were well entertained.

The action was scheduled to conclude yesterday with the finals starting at 11:40 AM.

Results:
Women’s draw: Larissa Wiltshire beat Akeila Wiltshire; Avery Da Silva beat Malia Maikoo; Ashley Khalil beat Mary Fung-a-Fat; Victoria Arjoon beat Safirah Summer; Nicolette Fernandes beat Taylor Fernandes Henry; Rylee Rodrigues beat Emily Fung-a-Fat.

Men’s draw: Louis Da Silva beat Jonathan Antczak; Demetrius De Abreu beat Chad De Abreu; Shomari Wiltshire beat Samuel Ince Carvalhal; Josh Verwey beat Lee Fung-a-Fat; Justin Ten Pow beat Nandishraj; Alex Arjoon beat Jason Ray Khalil; Reagan Rodrigues beat Jeremy Ten Pow; Nicholas Verwey beat Jerazeno Bell, and Steven Xavier beat Michael Alphonso.