Coll & Barnett Win New Zealand Junior Titles

The future of squash in New Zealand appears in good hands after the completion of the New Zealand Juniors Championships at the North Shore Club in Auckland.

Top seed Paul Coll of Canterbury dominated the men’s singles with a straight game win over Jonathan Barnett(Wellington) in the semifinal and then beat second seed Lance Beddoes in straight games in what was a battle between the nations top two 18-year-olds.

Both players have excelled recently in New Zealand and Australia. However on this occasion it was Coll who proved too strong winning in straight games and showing plenty of patience in the long rallies in the first game 11-6 and the second 11-9 before racing away with the third and final 11-2.

The women’s final was played out between Ellie Epke(Auckland) and Wellington’s Rebecca Barnett. Fourteen-year-old Epke had defeated Canterbury top seed Megan Craig in the semifinals in five games. While Barnett had accounted for Central’s Danielle Fourie in four games in her semifinal.

In the final Barnett, 17 started strongly winning the first two games 11-6 11-7 but in the third game Epke raced out to a 7-2 lead with some of her, at times unorthodox shots bringing success. She managed a game point at 10-6 before a few questionable let calls and the determination of Barnett showed through. After some intriguing and intense rallies it was Barnett winning the game and the match 15-13.

All players in the finals will be hoping to continue to shine in upcoming tournaments with the aim of selection for the world junior champs in Harvard, United States in July.

Results: Squash New Zealand Junior Open.
Men’s semifinals:
Paul Coll(Canterbury) bt Jonathan Barnett(Wellington) 11-6 11-6 11-2, Lance Beddoes(Auckland) bt Zac Millar(Wellington) 6-11 9-11 11-6 11-9 11-9
Final:
Coll bt Beddoes 11-5 11-9 11-2.
Women’s semifinals:
Ellie Epke(Auckland) bt Megan Craig(Canterbury) 5-11 11-9 11-9 4-11 11-8, Rebecca Barnett(Wellington) bt Danielle Fourie(Central) 11-7 7-11 11-5 11-7
Final:
Barnett bt Epke 11-6 11-7 15-13.