Galloway and Epke Claim Under 19 Junior Titles 

Pictured Right - New Zealand Junior Nationals - Under 19 Girls Champion - Ellie Epke

Scott Galloway and Ellie Epke have claimed the 2016 Under 19 Junior titles with some excellent performances. The other age groups have seen a number of new title holders with everyone leaving everything they could on court for the final day.

The Under 11 Girls saw Maia Smales able to topple the top seed Alyssa Davy in their match. Smales managed to serve and return the ball well, playing some great shots Davy couldn’t get to. In the Under 11 Boys Final Freddie Jameson looked too strong for his opponent Charlie Prince as he managed to play some great length and won the match in 3.

In the Girls Under 13 Natalie Sayes and Sophie Hodges were due to have a great battle, Sayes took the early lead but Hodges played some great strong shots and levelled the game score up to 1-1. Sayes stepped it up in the third and fourth game and eventually claimed the match in four. In the Boys Under 13 Final local Henderson club mates Mason Smales and Apa Fatialofa had a tough battle. Whilst Fatialofa took the lead 2-1 Smales battled hard and eventually sealed the match in a superb 5 setter.

The Under 15 Girls saw Anika Jackson take on Annaleise Faint. Jackson used her home court knowledge to work the ball around the court and over powered Faint. Faint struggled to match Jackson’s strength at time with Jackson eventually claiming the title in 3. The Under 15 Boys saw a long time battle between Kobe Fleming and Glenn Templeton set to take place. Whilst Fleming looked to add a win to his side of the ledger after claiming the first game it was not meant to be as Templeton came out and claimed the match in 4.

The Under 17 Girls produced an extraordinary display of squash between Rhiarne Taiapa and Nadia Hubbard. Taiapa looked convincing in her first 2 games and even though Hubbard pushed her hard Taiapa managed to take the lead 2-0. The third proved to be a battle of mammoth proportions with Taiapa having the chance to convert the match but Hubbard held on tight and extended the match. Hubbard looked too convincing in the fourth for Taiapa sending it to the fifth game. Both players traded point for point but some gutsy effort from Taiapa saw her claim the Under 17 title in 5. The Under 17 Boys saw local Belmont Club mates Matthew Lucente and Gabe Yam set for another battle on court. It was Lucente’s time to shine as he attacked and moved Yam around the court and claimed his title in 3.

The Under 19 Girls saw Epke seeking to claim her fifth national title. Epke’s shot selection was on point in the first game as she took an early lead. Watts dug deep in the second and worked the rallies long to level the score up 1-1. Epke showed why she already has her name on this title 4 times in the third and the fourth as she came out and dominated the match and took her fifth Under 19s title. Scott Galloway and Tyler Ranger were set to be a tough battle but with Ranger having worked hard the previous day he was going to need to have a strong performance to topple Galloway. Galloway showed why he came in top seed to this tournament with some excellent shot selection making Ranger work hard on the court. Whilst both players played strong squash it was not meant to be for Ranger as Galloway took the Under 19 title in 3.

After the prizegiving the Most Improved for 2016 were awarded. The recipients of these have both worked hard throughout the 2016 season and shown some great improvements and strong results. The Girls trophy was awarded to Rhiarne Taiapa whilst the Boys trophy was awarded to Tyler Ranger.

Congratulations to all competitors and the Hamilton Squash and Tennis Club for a great few days. The Junior Teams event kicks off tonight.

Full games results can be found below.

Under 11 Girls - Finals

(2) Maia Smales bt (1) Alyssa Davy – 15-12 15-13 15-7

Under 13 Girls – Finals

(1) Natalie Sayes bt (2) Sophie Hodges – 15-6 10-15 15-13 15-6

Under 15 Girls – Finals

(1) Anika Jackson bt (2) Annaleise Faint – 15-5 15-4 15-5

Under 17 Girls – Finals

(2) Rhiarne Taiapa bt (1) Nadia Hubbard – 15-11 15-13 17-19 3-15 15-13

Under 19 Girls – Finals

(1) Ellie Epke bt (3) Kaitlyn Watts – 11-8 11-13 11-6 11-4

Under 11 Boys – Finals

(1) Freddie Jameson bt (2) Charlie Prince – 15-7 15-11 15-6

Under 13 Boys – Finals

(1) Mason Smales bt (2) Apa Fatialofa – 15-11 13-15 15-17 15-9 15-6

Under 15 Boys – Finals

(2) Glenn Templeton bt (4) Kobe Fleming – 9-15 15-12 15-4 15-11

Under 17 Boys – Finals

(1) Matthew Lucente bt (2) Gabe Yam – 15-9 16-14 15-12

Under 19 Boys – Finals

(1) Scott Galloway bt (3) Tyler Ranger – 11-5 11-3 11-5