THERE were surprises throughout the Ogier Island Squash Junior championships as over 40 youngsters battled it out for a number of hotly contested for titles. Favourites Chris Whitworth and Henry Birch provided a very high standard of play in the boys under-19 event.

A tight final saw Birch 2-1 up at match ball, but Whitworth fought back to take the match 3-2.

James Brehaut beat Zak Parsons in the third-fourth play-off.

Brehaut comfortably won the under-17 title, taking all matches in straight sets including the final beating Parsons once more.

‘Although James proved too strong for his opposition it was a good experience for others to play against him’ said Martin Watts assistant director of Island Squash.

The final placing left Jacques Ogier in third, Tom Eulenkamp fourth and Matt Robilliard fifth.

In the under-15 boys event, Jonathan Laws unexpectedly made his way through the group stage beating Ogier and newcomer Harry Martel.

The semi-finals saw Laws face Matt Robin and Jack Tacon meet Martel.

These matches demonstrated some excellent squash in which Laws and Tacon both proved far too strong for their opponents.

Laws then dominated the final, although his opponent gave everything he could.

The third-fourth play-off saw Martel beat Robin 3-2 while Ogier beat Eulenkamp 3-0 to claim fifth.

Nine players competed in the boys’ under-11 singles, providing a very high standard of squash.

The group stages went as expected with Jacques Scowen, Charles Stenner and Ollie Banton making their way comfortably through to the top of the group.

Stenner went on to beat both opponents 3-1 taking the title and Scowen defeated Banton 3-2 to finish second.

There was an unexpected result in the girls’ under-17, which saw Issey Norman-Ross crowned champion.

Facing Natalie Dodd she played a high level of attacking squash, not letting her opponent into the game.

Watts said: ‘she has worked hard at her game over the last six months and that effort has clearly paid off.’

Norman-Ross was the clear favourite in the girls under-15 event and she added a second title to her collection by beating all her opponents and barely dropping any points.

By far the closest match was between Amy Stenner and Katherine Jensen. The former maintained her dominance taking the match 3-1.

In fourth place was Kayleigh Pettitt.

‘The overall standard throughout the junior competition was high,’ said Watts.

‘A lot of players had a busy schedule of matches, which is expected of them when competing in the UK.

‘With a standard like this we hope to see more of the Guernsey Juniors doing well off island soon’.

n THE under-13 boys’ and girls’ events will be completed at King’s today alongside the Ogier Island Senior Championships as six of the age group were off island representing their county.

The girls play a round-robin tournament while the boys final will start at 3.40pm, ahead of the senior women’s showpiece at 4.20 and the men’s main event at 5.