Handicap Squash: Narain, withstands Verwey’s surge to cop Open title

By Akeem Greene

In an epic battle of the ‘Nicks’, Nicholas Narain was given a full workout by the talented Nicholas Verwey, but he withstood the attrition to win the Open title at the Lucozade Handicap Squash tournament which concluded Sunday at the Georgetown Club.

Verwey, who has played sublime throughout the tournament, would have been harping over his chances to claim the title in his first year in Open.

Playing with -10 handicap, which was just better than Narain who had -15, Verwey went down 15-14 in the first set but came back to win the second 13-15.

Both games were deeply enthralling, and saw Narain especially, producing some dashing attempts at retrieval for some well-placed shots by Verwey.

Though Narain was like a yo-yo on the court, he bided time until Verwey made a mistake and for that, he won the third set 15-11.

In category ‘A’, the preordained final with two budding stars, Luis DaSilva and Zachary Persaud, was no disappointment as both players played from the same handicap of -8.

DaSilva came out strong and played a clever tactical game in regards to his shot placing. Persaud came out determined in the second game and made his bid to stay in the game with a tighter play which set him ahead.

DaSilva worked away to even out and eventually push in the last two points to close off in straight games 15-6, 15-14.

Meanwhile, in the open plate between Daniel Ince (-9) and Ian Mekdeci (-4), Ince took the first in smooth fashion with tight lengths and low drops to win the first 15-9.

Mekdeci pulled it back in second pushing to hold Ince off at 14-15. Relying on talent in the decider rather than fitness, Ince was able to move up his deficit and close off the game at 15-11.

For the Category ‘A’ plate, Joshua Verwey made a valiant effort with good lengths against eventual winner Lajaun Munroe.

Munroe forced younger Verwey into every corner of the court working him through most of the rallies, Verwey stuck with it and kept the scores close. Munroe triumphed 15/13, 14/15, 15/12.

At the presentation ceremony, representatives from the Guyana Squash Association thanked ANSA McAL for their continued support.

In response, Treiston Joseph, ANSA McAL’s Corporate Communications Officer, noted while support of the sport is part their social responsibility, investment in youth-only augers well for the development of Guyana in sport and beyond.

Next month, GSA will host their Junior Skill Level tournament sponsored by Farfan and Mendes.

Full Results:

Open Category

Winner- Nicholas Narain

Second Place-Nicholas Verwey

Third place – Deje Dias

Fourth Place-Gianni Carpenter

Open Plate

Winner-Daniel Ince

Second Place-Ian Mekdeci

Third place-Kirsten Gomes

Fourth Place-Ethan Jonas

Category A

Winner-Louis DaSilva

Second Place-Zachary Persaud

Third Place-Shiloh Asregado

Fourth Place-Matthew Spooner

Category A Plate

Winner-Lajuan Munroe

Second Place-Joshua Verwey

Third Place-Teija Edwards

Fourth Place Angel Rahamin