WJW Herentals 05
Individuals:
Days One/Two
Day Three Report
Rd of 16 Report
Quarters Report
Semis Report
Finals Report

Teams:
Draw/Results
Day 1 - Pools
Day 2 - Rpt 1
Day 2 - Final
1st KO Round
Quarters
Semis - Rpt 1
Semis - Rpt 2
Finals

 

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Canada tops Australia [The Draws]    [also second report]

CANADA WINS BATTLE OF THE COLONIES

It was another, heart-stopping, nail-biting, breath-holding day for Canada as they faced Australia in the battle for a chance at 5th place, a finish that both countries would love considering their less-than-flattering seeding.

After their disappointing loss to England yesterday Canada recovered to pip Australia at the post to move forward into a battle for 5th with Malaysia being their probable opponents.

The tireless Ashley Clackson gave Canada a winning start with a straight games win over Vanessa Pickerd. Neha Kumar started with verve against Jessica Gillett to win the first two games. When the Australian picked up the pace in the third she turned the match around completely to take the next three games and tie up the match.

Laura Gemmell was brought in for Canada as third string and she too started off with a two game lead over Larissa Huffer who fought her corner well until 4-4 in the second game and then gave up five errors to give Gemmell the comfortable lead.

But Huffer’s errors turned into winners and with the help of some fine length into the back right corner she won the next two game 9-5, 9-6 to set up the big fifth.

The suspense could have been cut with a buzz saw and sold to anyone who wanted to get high. Both girls were tired but they would not give an inch; Gemmell showed real character to fight back from 3-5 to 6-6. The serve changed hands a few times and finally Gemmell got the breakthrough with a cross court winner to move to 7-6 and then a crucial costly error from Huffer put the Canadian at match ball. Still Huffer fought but she could not pick up a fine low ball from Gemmell who scored the final point on her third match ball. Another cliff hanger of a match with Canada emerging with the smiles this time and Australia the most unlucky losers.

Canada, seeded ninth will go home placed well above that notch and Australia, seeded 11, will probably face neighbours New Zealand for the 7th place finish.

EGYPT - SMOOTH AS A CRUISE ON THE NILE
I would like to enter this present Egypt junior team in the next senior team championship. My bet is they would end in the top four, if not fighting their senior team for the title.

The Egyptian strength in depth is stunning, their squash skills quite remarkable and their confidence on the court belies their junior status. England’s trio were simply no match for them. In essence this was England squash – play-to-length - against the Egyptian approach of hit-winners-from everywhere. It was the longbow versus the machine gun and the result was inevitable.

Rachel Wilmott got a few points from Raneem El Weleily but these were crumbs of comfort rather than anything representing a challenge to the 16-year old new junior world champion. The gulf was too wide and El Weleily won in straight games.

Fiona Moverly had no answer for Sara Badr’s firepower and range of shots. Badr hits the ball with enormous power and many of her points were won on this feature alone, the ball moving too fast even for Moverly’s extreme reach. Badr won in three to secure Egypt’s expected place in the final leaving Susie King and Lina El Tannir to play the dead rubber. This turned into a shooting match, each one seeing who could hit most winners. El Tannir won in two games, but if King spent three months in Egypt training, she could turn out to be quite a player.