Juniors - Season 2009-2010

Thurso Junior Club Championships - 20/06/10

A good group of Thurso Squash Club juniors gathered to contest this seasons Club Championships.

With a heavy training regime being set in place for the junior girls in the past couple of months by coach, Alison Henderson - hopes were high for some very close and tough contests throughout the day and, the watching crowd were not let down.

ALL winners and runners-up with TSC committee member, Colin Paterson (back, fifth left) presenting the prizes.

Fresh from securing the Under 15 girls' county title, Yazmin Turanli set her sites on grabbing the Thurso Club title and ending a good season with a double triumph. But new to the squash scene, Rebecca Paterson who is more accustomed to 'striking the pose' and performing a 'pike press to handstand' at her dance classes, well and truly had Yaz on her radar.

Yazmin's experience shone through in the first two games leaving her opponent slightly unsure of what to do to stop this event finishing prematurely 3-0.

After a brief tactical discussion with her coach, Rebecca leapt onto the court in the third with a new lease of life and every intention to take this contest the whole way.

This she did with a gutsy performance and excellent finishing touches but, with both players outwitting each other in a series of point for point long rallies, it left the crowd unsure of who would lift this trophy.

Just like her 80's pop icon namesake, Yaz went onto the court in the final set with only one thought in her mind, 'the only way is up...'. After a long, exhausting tussle with both girls playing their hearts out, Yaz came out best and could rest her mind that she is now crowned Club and County Under 15 girls' champion.

Everyone thought, how could that tie be followed but a re-run of last seasons Under 19 girls' event between Sarah MacKinnon and Charleen Banks came very close.

With Charleen picking up a niggling injury in one of the earlier rounds, current holder, Sarah could've thought the trophy would be remaining in her hands.

This was not so, and after four hard, battling sets from both players and the score all square - it was onto the final set to settle who would be champion.

After the points being shared in the opening half of the final set, Sarah pulled away and was not going to be caught or allow Charleen a chance to take the trophy away from her. Following a tough rally, Sarah secured her win with a deft touch into the front of the court leaving Charleen no chance to reach.

Other girls who just missed out on the finals but put in good efforts after playing the sport for a short period were Shannon Fulton, Eilidh Paterson, Emma Dunnett, Lucy Owen and Oonagh Dunnett who was awarded the performance of the day.

Liam Beales has the potential to cause upsets against players much his senior and proved too strong for Adam Higgins in the Under 15 boys' tournament but the runner-up battled well against Liam and is improving with every event.

Jamie Henderson is the current Senior County and Club champion and has now regained the Under 19 title to add to his list for the season.

Gary Beales was his opponent on this occasion and provided some tricky and tight shots to stretch Jamie but the extra experience shone through to allow Jamie to lift this title.

Congratulations to all who took part and look forward to seeing them improve in the seasons to come.

Results

• Under 15 Boys - Liam Beales beat Adam Higgins
• Under 15 Girls - Yazmin Turanli beat Rebecca Paterson
• Under 19 Boys - Jamie Henderson beat Gary Beales
• Under 19 Girls - Sarah MacKinnon beat Charleen Banks

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