Jamaica crowned overall squash champions
Guyana Chronicle
September 2, 2003
GUYANA were dethroned by Bermuda in the Men’s team competition while Jamaica were crowned overall champions of the 14th Mount Gay Caribbean Squash Championship that ended on Saturday in Barbados.
The powerful Bermudans put away the Guyanese 5-0 in the final on Saturday while Jamaica defeated Barbados in both the Ladies’ and Veterans’ in the respective final matches in the round robin format, to wrest both titles and the overall crown from the hosts.
Jamaica amassed 21 points overall, Barbados 18.8, Guyana 16.4, Trinidad & Tobago 11.6, Bermuda ten, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) seven and Venezuela two.
The Men’s final was played in the order, 3, 5, 1, 2, 4. Guyana started bright when Robert Fernandes put down Thomas Sherratt in the first game 9-4, but the Bermudan came back in a close second game to win 10-8. From there he did not look back, winning the remaining two, 9-1, 9-2 and Bermuda romped home.
Sam Stevens next disposed of Regan Pollard in straight games 9-2, 9-2, 9-6, followed by Gary Plumstead in similar fashion over Maxim Weithers 9-7, 9-6, 9-6, effectively giving Bermuda the crown.
In the academic matches, Nick Kyme beat Shawn Badrinauth in four games, 10-9, 9-6, 8-10, 9-7 and James Stout defeated Julian Chin, also in four, 9-4, 9-3, 4-9, 9-2.
Bermuda earned ten points, Guyana eight, Barbados six, Jamaica five, OECS four, T&T three and Venezuela two.
In the morning’s play Jamaica’s Ladies’ team needed all five matches to dethrone Barbados. Dingle Spence gave Jamaica the first match, defeating Jenny Armstrong in straight games 9-5, 9-3, 9-4 but Michelle Hamilton lost to Tracy Roett in straight games 9-4, 9-1, 9-3, and Barbados levelled the tie.
Marlene West put Jamaica back into the lead, disposing of Karen Meakins in straight games 9-3, 9-4, 10-8 then Melissa Lue Yen lost to Lilianna White 9-5, 9-1, 9-2, putting Barbados in contention again. Karen Anderson defeated Sonia Perkins in the deciding fifth match 9-0, 9-1, 9-7.
Jamaica earned the top ten points in the competition, Barbados eight, Guyana six and Trinidad & Tobago five.
In the Veterans’ Team, Jamaica defeated Barbados 2-1. Ladies’ Over-40 - Gill Binnie beat Elizabeth Johnson 3-0 (9-5, 9-0, 9-5), Men’s Over-50 - Patrick Chin defeated Leon Truss 3-1 (9-10, 9-2 9-1, 9-8), Men’s Over-40 - Eddie De Pass lost to Nigel Griffith 0-3 (5-9, 0-9, 5-9)
Jamaica won that competition with six points, Barbados followed with 4.8, Trinidad & Tobago 3.6, OECS three and Guyana 2.4.