SQUASH: Persaud tops DeAbreu in five-set thriller

Wednesday night saw the first five-setter of the Woodpecker Products’ Junior National Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club in the Boys Under-13 match between Dhiren Persaud and Chad DeAbreu.

After identical scores in the first two games of 11-6, the first going to Persuad and the second to DeAbreu, neither player was willing to let go in the third as they fought to a 19-17 scoreline (player must win by two clear points).

DeAbreu took an early lead of 6-1 before Persuad climbed back up. DeAbreu had game ball at 10-6, but Persuad refused to back down and powered five clear points to edge ahead.

The boys went point for point, shot for shot right up to 17 all, but it was the lion heart of DeAbreu that pushed past the finish line with a 19-17 game victory.  The effort took its toll on DeAbreu though as Persaud came back to dominate in the fourth and fifth with two 11-3 wins to take the match.

Older brother Demetrius DeAbreu controlled his Under-15 match against Zachary Persaud. Despite a spirited fight from Persaud, DeAbreu defeated him 11-7, 11-6, 11-1.

A passionate game played out when Shiloh Asregado and Joshua Verwey took to the court. The two Under-13 boys showed great promise as they displayed improved skills. It was Asregado who came out on top, however, with a 3-0 triumph.

Meanwhile, Mohryan Baksh suffered his first defeat of the competition at the hands of Nicholas Verwey when he played up into the Under-15 category. Verwey was too strong for Baksh who made a valiant effort, but succumbed at 11-5, 11-3, 11-1.

In the only girls’ match of the evening, Kirsten Gomes unsurprisingly made light work of Angel Rahamin 11-1, 11-2, 11-1 in the Under-15 category. Gomes will see her only real challenge of the tournament when she plays up in Under-17 and 19 against longtime on-court rival and title holder Abosadie Cadogan on Saturday evening.

Games continue on weekdays from 18:00h, followed by the final two sets of matches on Saturday at 11:00h and 18:00h.

Latest results                

Mohryan Baksh defeated Matthew Spooner 11/0, 11/0, 11/1

S. Asregado defeated Joshua Verwey 11/2, 11/5, 11/9

Dhiren Persaud defeated Chad DeAbreu 11/6, 6/11, 17/19, 11/3, 11/3

Demetrius DeAbreu defeated Zachary Persaud 11/11/7, 11/6, 11/1

Nicholas Verwey defeated Mohryan Baksh 11/ 5, 11/3, 11/1

Michael Alphonso defeated Gianni Carpenter 11.8, 11/4, 11/5

Kirsten Gomes defeated Angel Rahamin 11/1, 11/2, 11/1