BCOS Guyana Masters Squash Tourney Players turn back the clock on opening night

Jan 25, 2020 Sports

The BCQS Guyana Masters three-night Squash Tournament commenced on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club as the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) held its first tournament to get 2020 going with 10 matches including a single female encounter in the Women’s over-35 category.

Regan Pollard (foreground) was all over Greg Biddle at the GT Club on Thursday night.

David Fernandes (right) in action against Marlon White of Barbados on Thursday night.

Watched by a fair sized gathering of both local and foreign supporters, the veterans showed that although they had lost their fitness of times gone by, they had accumulated a wealth of experience from their younger days on the Squash Courts.
The opening match between Barbadian Errol Pilgrim and Douglas Beckford from Jamaica was a battle of attrition as the pair of over-65 players treated spectators to an exhibition of experienced play in a match that went to five games.
Pilgrim moved out ahead to earn the first game to win 11/5 but Beckford came back with plenty of spirit and although Pilgrim began strong, the Jamaican used his experience to level the score 10-all before pushing his opponent hard to win 12/10.

Joe Mekdeci plays backhand shot in his win over Duane Burke of Barbados.

Diego Perdomo (right) was beaten by Bajan Mark Sealy on Thursday night.

The third game was similar to the second as Beckford again took the win 12/10 before a close fourth that could have gone either way saw Pilgrim emerging victorious.
The final and deciding game saw some thrilling shots, but Pilgrim prevailed to triumph 11/7.
In the men’s over-35, Regan Pollard hardly broke a sweat as he toyed with Gregory Biddle, a foreigner working here but playing for Guyana.
Biddle made many unforced errors and missed balls he should have kept in play and frequently crashed into the glass before losing 11/1, 11/1, 11/0.
The final game of the night was also entertaining with Marlon White of Barbados taking on Guyana Squash Association (GSA) President David Fernandes in a spirited match.
A strong Fernandes showed glimpses of brilliance with well-placed shots and timely drops to take the first game and home fans reacted with raucous applause.
White came back fighting and fitness prevailed as he stayed ahead for a 3-1 victory finishing 9/11, 11/5, 11/6, 11/7. Both men showed great sportsmanship and humour throughout the match which is at the heart of these Masters’ competitions.
In the lone women’s match of the night a strong Lydia Fraser (GUY) defeated Tian Edwards (GUY) in three straight sets. Former Junior Squad member Fraser moved easily around the court and dominated the games for a solid 11/2, 11/5, 11/5 win.
Results from Thursday Night.
MEN’s Over 65
Errol Pilgrim defeated Douglas Beckford 11/5, 10/12, 10/12, 11/9, 11/7
Orson Simpson defeated Tony Farnum 11/6, 9/11, 11/3, 11/5
Over 55
Narendra Singh defeated Wayne Alphonso 11/5, 11/3, 11/9
Sanjay Amin defeated Lloyd Fung A Fat 4/11, 12/10, 11/6, 11/7
Over 45
Joe Mekdeci defeated Duane Burke 11/4, 11/2, 11/6
Mark Sealy defeated Diego Perdomo 11/3, 11/5, 12/10
Marlon White defeated David Fernandes 9/11, 11/5, 11/6, 11/7
Tony Mackenzie defeated Robert Natiello 11/4, 11/3, 11/5
Over 35
Regan Pollard defeated Gregory Biddle 11/1, 11/1, 11/0
WOMEN
Over 35
Lydia Fraser defeated Tian Edwards 11/2, 11/5, 11/5
The tournament was scheduled to continue last evening and concludes tomorrow with two sessions; the first starts at 11: AM and second from 2: PM.