Fantastic performances in Junior Inter-county Squash Championship finals
By Mark Toseland
A huge well done to all the East Glos Junior Mavericks that played in the Junior Inter-county Championship Finals last weekend.
Millie, Bhumika, Alice
The high spirits and team support from everyone involved brought out some fantastic performances and great results.
The girls U13s had a tough run throughout the event. However, this didn’t deter them from working together and putting in the effort for each other. Team coach Fiona Geaves, team manager Dan Heaton and Robert Newby supported them well.
The boys’ U15 team had a tough ask at the start, up against Surrey and the #1 seeds in the first round. Each team member played out of their skin to keep the Surrey team on their toes. Losing the first round took them into the 5/8 playoff match against Warwickshire, narrowly losing out 3-2 but asking some big questions of a higher-ranked team of players.
Finally, up against Lincolnshire to finish on a win, Gloucestershire took it 4-1 with backed-up performances all round. Everyone moved up a spot to give the #1 Sam Blumberg a rest due to an adductor niggle. Thanks to team manager Alex Parker, Rob Nock, Jeff Blumberg and Alan Price for supporting them through their weekend.
Finally, the boys’ U13 team took the stage by storm, starting the competition as the #2 seeds. Gloucestershire made light work of a Surrey B team to win the first match 4-1. Next up was Essex. Playing into the match and starting 2-0 down in matches, players were feeling nervous until some strong performances from Sam Terrell and Matthew Leung levelled up the match at 2-2.
Things looked like they could go either way coming into the final match until Henry Surridge let the coach know he thrives under pressure conditions, which is what he lives for. Henry took the final match 3-1, and Gloucestershire was through to the final and up against a strong Surrey squad and #1 seeds.
Toby, Joe, Seamus, Sam, Oliver, Eishin
We heard some comments from the Surrey camp that they feel they will walk this 5-0. We weren’t having that, and we all came together to fight for everything we had. Tough starts at 4 and 5 had us at 2-0 down in matches. Then came Harry Wallace, on at #3 string and the clear underdog up against the #4 in the county. What happened next was exciting, to say the least. Coming from 2-0 down after the first two games at 9/11 and 10/12, Harry came out with complete confidence to dictate the play with the smartest squash I’ve ever seen from a junior player. He had his opponent running around the whole court through various methods of hitting: lobs, hard drives, cross-court kills, soft drops, cross-court nicks, holds, and taxis galore. His opponent had no legs left, struggling to match his squash intelligence; Harry took the match 3-2 to give hope to the last matches going on.
Excitement sprang off the bench with the #1 and #2 strings, Matthew Leung and Henry Surridge, respectively, knowing that this match was still on. Matthew then went on to provide demolition of their #1 seed 3-0. These guys have had close matches over the last year, and either player winning against the other, but not in this fashion.
Matthew breathed more life into the final, setting up Henry “give me the pressure” Surridge for the big match at #2 strings. Unfortunately, Henry was outclassed against a very strong #2 string. However, at no point did Henry let up. Eyes fixated on the disciplines of squash and method, a look that could send shivers down your spine, knowing that Henry was dying on this court before he would let up.
A very narrow loss, 3-2, against the #1 seed saw Gloucestershire Bu13 take silver at the finals this year. Thanks to team manager Matt Terrell, Chris Young, Gavin Wallace, Chris and Laura Surridge, Wing & Sun Ik Leung and Anna Blenkinsop for supporting them through a wonderful experience.
Henry S, Harry, Matthew, Sam T, Henry Y
There’s something about the junior county scene at the moment, and it’s looking good. We’re in another era of juniors that love working and training together. There’s amazing team support for each other and a will to be the best they can be. They all buy into the fact that they’re all in this development journey together.
I’ve not seen this since the era of Nathan Lake and Tom Ford. Let’s keep nurturing this environment, allowing these juniors to take ownership of their development, and affording opportunities for them to make, learn and reflect. The kids that come up from the younger age groups are in for a treat, especially being led by fantastic role models that they can look up to.
If you’ve ever thought about giving your son or daughter an opportunity to go at squash, now is definitely the time. Thanks to the coaches and parents who supported each team over the weekend. Thank you for all your hard work that allows our mavericks to do their thing on the court.
East Glos Junior Mavericks in the county squads
- Gu13 Squad: #2 Alice Newby
- Bu13 Squad: #1 Matthew Leung; #2 Henry Surridge; #3 Harry Wallace; #4 Sam Terrell; #5 Henry Young
- Bu15 Squad: #1 Sam Blumberg; #3 Toby Nock