Congratulations to ACT Juniors winning Greenshield 2008
The ACT Junior team travelled to Sydney the weekend of 21-22 June to compete in the annual Greenshield Squash Tournament. This year three other regions entered the event with ACT battling it out against Sydney, Central Coast/Hunter and Western.
The tournament consists of eight divisions – U11 Boys, U11 Girls, U13 Boys, U13 Girls, U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U17 Boys and U17 Girls. There are four players in each team and three in each of the Under 11 divisions. All together there are 30 matches against each region. ACT were the only region to field a full side this year which is a reflection on the hard work put in by the manager, Helen Southwell.
On Saturday morning ACT was drawn against the winner of Greenshield for the last three years, Western region. The tie was always going to prove difficult but ACT got off to a tremendous start. The U11 Boys team of Dylan Prentice, Alex Lock and Lachlan Watt won their fixture two matches to one to give ACT an early lead. With the U15 Girls team of Holly Barnes, Laura McCredie, Cathy Nunn and Amy Prentice winning 3–1, and the Under 17 Boys (Josh Southwell-Nobbs, Lachlan Dally, Jeremy Salter and Jeremiah Smit) also wrapping up a 3–1 victory the signs were looking good.
Western however made a great comeback to claim victories in the U11 girls and U15 boys, whilst the U13 Girls team of Leanna Davey, Katelyn Lindner, Bethany Lindner and Ashleigh Carlisle drew 2–2, winning on countback. Christine Nunn and Rhiannon Brunker led the U17 Girls team, also comprising Madeleine Barnett and Katy Hampson, to a strong win to edge the ACT to a narrow lead.
The U13 Boys team of Robert Palmer, Zac Evans, Jacob Watt and Michael Richardson were left to battle it out with Western and impressed with a hard fought victory. Coached by Simon Beasley, they won on count back after both sides won 2 matches. This result gave the ACT a 17–13 win against the defending champions.
In the second round on Saturday afternoon, ACT came up against Central Coast/Hunter and was in control of the fixture from the start. The U17 Boys were led by an excellent display of squash from number 1 Josh Southwell-Nobbs who won 3–0 against a very tough opponent. His grit and determination was evident in the first two games when he came from behind to win both, before outplayed his downcast opponent in the final game.
Other highlights against the Central/Coast Hunter included another strong win by the Under 13 Boys and U15 Girls. The ACT ran out victors 19–11.
Saturday was also a very special day for four of the team members. Ashleigh Carlisle, Katy Hampson, Lachlan Watt and Emma Williams all played their first competitive matches of squash and played very well. Supported by all their team mates they all held their heads high and can be proud of their performance.
Sunday would decide the fate of the ACT Greenshield campaign. ACT played against Sydney, who were also undefeated after their first two fixtures. The Under 15 Boys team of Zac Morris, Colin Lees, Nathan Ryan and Brenton Dally were drawn against a very strong team and although they were unable to win a match, they all played with great spirit and represented ACT in the best manner.
Laura McCredie continued her excellent form over the weekend to win her third consecutive match and help the Under 15 girls to victory against Sydney. Alex Lock played an epic five set match in the Under 11 Boys to prevail, watched on by a big crowd. The support spurred Alex on and he won the last game 15–12 to claim a memorable victory.
With only five matches remaining, ACT trailed Sydney 13–12. Michael Richardson, Jacob Watt and Zac Evans all won their matches, while Robert Palmer fell in three tight games, leaving ACT ahead by one match. Maddison Cater needed to win for ACT to claim the Greenshield and played a five set match to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. She played a superb 5th game to the delight of all coaches, players and parents which was enough to claim victory against Sydney 16–14.
The U11 girls improved on their results from last year with an extra year of experience under their belts. Madison Cater and Beth Williams, who played in their first Greenshield in 2007, were joined by Emma Williams and all the girls thoroughly enjoyed their matches.
A big thanks to the manager for the trip, Helen Southwell, and the seven coaches that gave up their weekends to help contribute to the success of the trip.
It was an extremely successful weekend for the ACT squad and in addition to winning the Greenshield, a number of other trophies were won.
U11 Boys (Dylan Prentice, Alex Lock, Lachlan Watt) – 3rd
U11 Girls (Madison Cater, Beth Williams, Emma Williams) – 2nd
U11 Overall – 2nd
U13 Boys (Robert Palmer, Zac Evans, Jacob Watt, Michael Richardson) – 1st
U13 Girls (Leanna Davey, Katelyn Lindner, Bethany Lindner, Ashleigh Carlisle) – 1st
U13 Overall – 1st
U15 Boys (Zac Morris, Colin Lees, Nathan Ryan, Brenton Dally) – 4th
U15 Girls (Holly Barnes, Laura McCredie, Cathy Nunn, Amy Prentice) – 1st
U15 Overall – 4th
U17 Boys (Josh Southwell-Nobbs, Lachlan Dally, Jeremy Salter, Jeremiah Smit)– 2nd
U17 Girls (Christine Nunn, Rhiannon Brunker, Madeleine Barnett, Katy Hampson) – 2nd
U17 Overall – 1st
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