WEST WALES JUNIOR SQUASH LEAGUES 20010-2011

Words by Hugh Griffiths 7.3.2011

AND THE WINNERS ARE……………………………

This season 8 teams played in the junior squash league. The teams were representative of 5 squash clubs ranging from Carmarthen in the west to Neath in the East. Over 50 players competed, some experiencing the cutthroat world of competitive play for the first time.

Llanelli A emerged as the pace setters before the last remaining match was played but were not guaranteed the title should they falter at the final hurdle against the third placed team Carmarthen Leisure Centre. Swansea Red team were also in the mix lying second place just 7 points behind the leaders.

All eyes were on the Swansea Red team who with a clean sweep could overhaul Llanelli. The Red’s were playing their arch rivals the Blues(both Swansea) to compound matters the red no. 1 Alex Ley pulled out after receiving a rugby injury, but they had an able replacement in Lewis Potter who was now playing his twin Joe. Lewis was the victor 3 -0 and with reds no 2 Elliot Webber winning 3-1 in a closely contested match with Tom Wadling, they looked well placed to run out comfortable winners, however the previously faultless Reds nos 3 and 4 Kathryn Field and Ioan Webber, both previously unbeaten inexplicably lost to the Blues’ Jack Martin and Nicola Field…………….leaving both teams to share the spoils in a 7-7 draw, and the Reds to reflect on what may have been.

 
Attention was now drawn to Llanelli A versus Carmarthen . The Llanelli team bristling with power and pace fielding the Weeds boys, Sam and Josh and the Rowlands Eleri and Iwan were pitted against the less experienced but very promising Carmarthen outfit of Shrika Mumamdi, Ceri Burgess, Robin Benbow and Sam Fugler.
 

A gallant performance from Carmarthen ’s Shrika Mumamdi and Ceri Burgiss fell short troubling the Llanelli brothers Sam and Josh Weeds’ power and guile. But this setback seemed to galvanise the rest of the Carmarthen players Robin Benbow going on to take Eleri 3-0, in a tense affair Iwan closed out the remaining match 3-1 to give Llanelli ‘A’ the title.

The final positions were:

Llanelli A	72
Swansea Red	65
Carmarthen	55
Llanelli B	49
Swansea Blue	48
Llanelli L C	46
Swansea Black	30
Neath	8

Many thanks to all the participants and managers/coaches/parents and squash wales who contributed to make the event successful, competitive and enjoyable.

The next cycle will start in March and may include Narberth and Porthcawl.......

Watch this space.
 

Words by Hugh Griffiths, Squash Wales