2015 Junior Age Group Titles Decided

In what can only be described as an exciting and nerve wrenching day of finals the 2015 NZ Junior Age Group Champions have been decided.

The Girls Under 11 final became an interesting affair when the top 3 players had each won one match each. However after some tense numbers going into the calculator and it eventually saw Jade Stratford claiming the Under 11 titles. The Girls Under 13 saw Ruby Saies manage to clinch the first game but Kutia came out in the second and never looked back taking the title in 4.The Girls Under 15 saw a convincing performance from Anika Jackson to be able to take the title from her opponent Winona Jo-Joyce. In the Under 17 Girls final Anna Hughes and Zoe Dykzeul played a game of high speed and great accuracy, however it eventually fell Hughes way when she was able to take the title in 4. 

The Girls Under 19 saw a tense final between long time rivals Abbie Palmer and Ellie Epke. Epke managed to claim the first game convincingly but Palmer came out with some amazing shots and made Epke work hard for every point. Palmer managed to go up 2/1, but Epke dug deep with some amazing retrievals and eventually closed the match out in an exciting 5 setter and claiming the Under 19 title for the 4th time.

The Boys Under 11 saw Apa Fatialofa take out his pool play in his final match today. Boys Under 13 saw another set of rivals Leo Fatialofa and Elijah Thomas battling out for this title. Fatialofa managed to gain the first 2 games but some coaching from Carol Owens seemed to put Thomas on the right track and after some great rallies it ended up falling Thomas's way and he claimed the title. In the Boys Under 15 Kobe Fleming and Glenn Templeton battled it out for the title, however today was Tempelton's day as he took the title in 5. In the Boys Under 17 Quinn Udy and Matthew Lucente were due to have a battle. Udy wanted to upset the first seed and take out Lucente who was the top seed. Udy played some very strong structured rallies in the first game, however some excellent shots from Lucente in the second and third saw him take the lead 2/1. However Udy stuck with a structured plan and this won Udy the game in what was a thrilling match.

The Boys Under 19 saw Luke Jones out to defend his title against up and comer Jamie Oakley. Oakley however wanted to prove what he was made of and he came out strong in the first moving Jones around and playing some incredible shots. Jones didn't seem to find an answer for Oakleys great work and it eventually went in favour of Oakley taking his first Under 19 title in 3. 

Jamie Oakley and Zoe Dykzeul were also awarded the 2015 Most Improved Junior Players after some excellent work from both players in the 2015 season.

Full draws and game results can be found on the Squash City website here

Girls Under 19 - Finals

(1) Ellie Epke bt (2) Abbie Palmer - 11/5, 8/11, 5/11, 11/3, 11/3

Girls Under 17 - FInals

(1) Anna Hughes bt (2) Zoe Dykzeul - 15/5, 13/15, 16/14, 15/4 

Girls Under 15 - Finals

(1) Anika Jackson bt (3) Winona Jo Joyce - 15/4, 15/4, 15/5

Girls Under 13 - Finals

(1) Ariata Kutia bt (2) Ruby Saies - 12/15, 15/11, 15/10, 15/3

Girls Under 11 - Pool Play

(1) Jade Stratford bt (4) Gemma Thompson - 15/5, 15/3, 15/4

(3) Ella Lash bt (2) Sophie Hodges - 15/8, 12/15, 15/11, 15/5 

(1) Jade Stratford bt (3) Ella Lash - 15/10, 16/14, 15/11

(2) Sophie Hodges bt (4) Gemma Thompson - 15/1, 15/2, 15/1

(2) Sophie Hodges bt (1) Jade Stratford - 16/14, 15/12, 11/15, 15/10

(3) Ella Lash vs (4) Gemma Thompson - 15/8, 15/12, 15/2

Boys Under 19 - Finals

(3) Jamie Oakley bt (1) Luke Jones - 11/5, 11/6, 11/8

Boys Under 17 - Finals

(3) Quinn Udy bt (1) Matthew Lucente - 15/7, 8/15, 3/15, 15/13, 15/8

Boys Under 15 - FInals

(2) Glenn Templeton bt (4) Kobe Fleming - 15/8, 15/8, 15/10

Boys Under 13 - Finals

(2) Elijah Thomas bt (1) Leo Fatialofa - 7/15, 12/15, 15/13, 15/8, 15/10

Boys Under 11 - Pool Playoff 1/2/3

(1) Apa Fatialofa bt (3) Noah Thomas - 15/8, 15/11, 15/5

(3) Noah Thomas bt (2) Tom Marshall - 15/8, 15/7, 15/6

(1) Apa Fatialofa bt (2) Tom Marshall - 15/3, 15/5, 15/5