Toucan Skill Level Squash: Gutsy Alphonso tops Verwey in thriller

By Akeem Greene

Never-say-die.

That was the attitude of Michael Alphonso who came from behind to win a gruelling and thrilling battle with Nicholas Verwey on the final day of the annual Toucan Distributors Skill Level Squash Tournament on Sunday.

The young lads produced arguably the most gripping match of the tournament in the presence of parents and other well-wishers at the Georgetown Club Courts.

Scores ended 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in favour of Alphonso.

However, neither of the two was in contention for topping Category A with the top seed Shomari Wiltshire sealing that spot followed by Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, but the pair laid all down on the court.

Let’s go back a just a bit.

In previous tournaments, Verwey got the better of his rival, and the emotions were evident when Alphonso lost the first. Alphonso’s father and sister and even Ince-Carvalhal all came during the break and imparted their words of encouragement and wisdom, and they certainly worked.

The finesse which was lacking became more visible and it had Verwey bouncing from wall to wall in search of returns; he rallied but it became 1-1.

Game three was possibly the match defining moment with Alphonso coming from 0-3 deficit to win 11-8.  With dives on the floor, returns and the languid drives, ‘Mikey’ as he is commonly called, was on fire. It was certainly a tough pill to swallow for Verwey who for most parts played a perfect game.

Another match, which was savoured by the winner, was Zachary Persaud’s success over Louis DaSilva in Category C. At last Wednesday’s start of the tournament, Persaud revealed his ultimate was to defeat DaSilva. Mission Impossible in other tournaments became Mission Accomplished.

The first two sets went to Persaud 11-9 and 11-7, however, DaSilva’s retrieval skills improved and brought it level with two 9-11 wins. The final game went 11-8 to Persaud.

Cousins Grant and Christiana Fernandes had another close bout in Category F. They went on court with a mission and it was a real fight for the win from the young athletes. Grant just pipped the post for a 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 win.

At the simple presentation ceremony, the Guyana Squash Association expressed immense gratitude for the support of Toucan Distributors and other business entities.

Special awards: 

Most Improved Girl: Chritiana Fernandes

Most Improved Boy: Kayden Pynaendy

Most Outstanding Girl: Shriya Persaud

Most Outstanding Boy: Zachary Persaud

Full Results:

Category A

Samuel Ince-Carvalhal defeated Gianni Carpenter 11/3, 11/3, 11/7

Michael Alphonso defeated Nicholas Verwey 7/11, 11/8, 11/8, 11/8

Category C

Zachary Persaud defeated Louis DaSilva 11/9, 11/7, 9/11, 11/9, 11/8

Category D

Lajuan Munroe defeated Nathan Rahaman 13/11, 4/11, 11/8, 4/11, 12/10

Joshua Verwey defeated Teija Edwards 11/4, 11/0, 11/1

Category E

Dhiren Persaud defeated Rayad Boyce 5/11, 12/10, 11/4.0

Category F

Kaden Pynaendy defeated Safirah Summer 13/15, 11/6. 11/7

Noah Rahaman defeated Mailia Maikoo 11/8, 8/11, 11/6

Grant Fernandes defeated Christiana Fernandes 9/11, 11/9, 11/9

Category G

Romero Muniram defeated Brenno DaSilva 11/9, 11/1

Abhinav Singh defeated Tristan Seereeram 11/6, 8/11, 11/6

Category H

Mathew Daby defeated Tianna Gomes 10/12, 12/10, 11/8

Shriya Persaud defeated Solomon Ince-Carvalhal 11/3, 6/11, 11/3

Jnae Singh defeated Eli Goveia 11/4, 11/3

Shriyah Persaud defeated Eli Gouveia 11/4, 11/3

Overall Results

Category A

WINNER Shomari Wiltshire

SECOND PLACE Samuel Ince-Carvalhal

THIRD PLACE Michael Alphonso

FOURTH Nicholas Verwey

Category B

WINNER Abosaide Cadogan

SECOND PLACE Ethan Jonas

THIRD PLACE Mohryan Baksh

FOURTH PLACE Lucas Jonas

Category C

WINNER Zachary Persaud

SECOND PLACE Louis DaSilva

THIRD PLACE Shiloh Asregado

Category D

WINNER Nathan Rahaman

SECOND PLACE Joshua Verwey

THIRD PLACE Lajuan Munroe

FOURTH PLACE Teija Edwards

Category E

WINNER Dhiren Persaud

SECOND PLACE Rayad Boyce

THIRD PLACE Lucas Persaud

FOURTH PLACE Arvin Seelall

FIFTH PLACE Aishani Persaud

Category F

WINNER Kaden Pynaendy

SECOND PLACE Grant Fernandes

THIRD PLACE Christiana Fernandes

FOURTH PLACE Matthew Spooner

FIFTH PLACE Noah Rahaman

Category G

WINNER Romero Muniram

SECOND PLACE Abinav Singh

THIRD PLACE Brenno DaSilva

FOURTH PLACE Tristan Seereeram

Category H

WINNER Shriya Persaud

SECOND PLACE Matthew Daby

THIRD PLACE Tiana Gomes

FOURTH PLACE Solomon Ince-Carvalhal

FIFTH PLACE Jnae Singh