Fun day at Dargaville Junior Tournament

Written by Greg Clarke, Dargaville Squash Club

A good turnout enabled us to have a full-on compressed 1 day tourny. Visitors from Kamo, Manaia, who have been a really big presence the last few years (thank you Manaia), Whangarei, Mangakahia, Mid Western, and our Southern neighbours.
The improvement from this time last year for the regulars has been amazing, some scary skills and retrieving on display!
The A Div was taken out by Cory Ferguson, with Maz Saunders 2nd and Luke Chiaroni-Clarke 3rd.
B Div saw the stylish Campbell Griffin who was a last minute replacement for Pippa win  over  Shea Ferguson 2nd, with Paddy Ferguson 3rd. (thanks again Campbell- although I’m not sure your opponents were that pleased to see you in their draw!)
C Div Connor Johnston triumphed over Josh Johnson in the final with Spencer Morgan taking 3rd over Jayden Stokes. Aiden Watson took the Consolation Plate.
D Div was a hard fought round robin of 5 so they all had 4 games (sooner them than me!). This saw a couple of brand newbies from Southern have a go after only about 3 games each under their belt, with Jayden Hammon winning the div on countback. Although Tiare Aitken had beaten Jayden H in the draw, he was pipped into 3rd place by Jayden Pellegrom who was left to rue his slow start (next time Jayden). Madison Johnston , the rose amongst the 4 thorns, took out 4th place.
E Div had Alex Kennedy win, with Josh Laing 2nd, Zac Laing 3rd over Emmie Ferguson and Samantha Morgan winning the Consolation Plate. This division gets the cute prize with a couple of entrants barely taller than their racquets going hard out with a combination of steely eyed determination and wide smiles, simply irresistable.
A big thank you from our club to all entrants, who played in a great spirit with the smiles definitely outnumbering the tears,  and supporters/taxi drivers who travel and give up their day to allow the kids pursue this fun game.