William Henden becomes youngest-ever winner of Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix title
William Henden became the youngest-ever winner of a Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix title when the new season opened at Broadland.
At 13 years six months and ten days, the host club prospect beat the record set by Harry Taylor – who was aged 13 years 10 months and 19 days when he beat three much older opponents to become the previous youngest winner in April 2008.
William won Group Five at that tournament, having turned nine earlier that month.
His toughest challenge this time came from 17-year-old Martin Jolley from King's Lynn in the first match of the group, which William won 9-11 13-11 11-7 11/8.
He went on to defeat the 14-year-old Butler brothers – Milon 3-0 and Sam 3-2 to take the title.
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Martin finished in a comfortable second, and will no doubt be looking for his first win next grand Prix.
Group Two was won by Bonnie Butler (EAT&SC), one of the stars of Norfolk's Under-13 and Under-15 girls teams.
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She had three older boys to compete with and also had her toughest challenge in her first match, where she was stretched 8-11 11-6 11-2 8-11 11-4 by Bannatynes' Liam Bond.
More comfortable 3-0 wins followed over Craig Smith (Fakenham) – who finished runner-up – and Joshua Hall (Broadland).
Group Three saw nine of the 18 matches going to a deciding third game. Daniel Heffer, Lloyd Potter and Liam Mooney made it through to the top box group which was decided when East Anglia's Daniel overcame Harleston's Lloyd 13-11 7-11 11-3 in the final match.
Olly Gollop consolidated his improvement by winning Group Four – but only just with a 11-6 7-11 11-6 7-11 11-9 final win over plucky Joseph Henden.
Robert Thirst completed a Broadland top three with a 3-1 win over East Anglia's Alice Heffer.
Groups Five and Six provided 15 players with a great deal of invaluable match experience.
Harry Sturgess gained 89 points out of a possible 90 to win Group Five while Kye McCourt-Hall gave Broadland their third group win in Group Six by gaining 84 points out of 84 with seven straight match wins.
The next Norfolk Junior Squash Grand Prix wil take place on November 18 at Rossis Leisure, North Walsham. All juniors of any standard are welcome to enter.
