Palmer and Oakley Claim AON New Zealand Junior Open Titles

North Shores Abbie Palmer and Devoy Squash and Fitness's Jamie Oakley are the 2016 AON New Zealand Junior Open winners.

Palmer and Watts were both keen to push each other to the limits in the Girls Open final. The first game saw both Watts and Palmer use some great shots and deception to take their points. Palmer however showed more consistency in her game playing low tight shots to claim the first game. Palmer gained good momentum early in the second game continuing with strong placement of the ball and took the lead. Watts fought hard however she couldn't keep up with the accuracy and placement of Palmers shots, Palmer sealing the second game. Palmer came out in the third and continued with powerful dominance and placement and never looked back, Watts couldn't keep up with Palmers and eventually Palmer claimed the match in three and her second New Zealand Junior Open title.

In the Boys Open final Scott Galloway and Jamie Oakley (youngest son of Dame Susan Devoy) were ready to get their name on this trophy for the first time. Both players showed great power and shot play in the first game with quick speed around the court. Some great rallies with incredible pickups were part of these player repertoire but eventually Galloway squeezed the first game out of Oakley. Game two began with the same ferocity as the first and both players were showing high intensity in all aspects of the game. Galloway had the first game ball but two unforced errors let Oakley back into it and eventually Oakley squeezed Galloway's errors to level the game score. Game three saw Oakley take an early lead putting pressure on Galloway. Galloway had a number of unforced errors giving Oakley the lead, there was a moment where it seemed as if the tables had turned as Oakley had a number of unforced errors himself, however he kept the pressure on to take the game and the lead in the match. The fourth game went in much of a similar fashion to the third with Oakley taking the early lead and unforced errors from both players creeping in, however Oakley was able to maintain the lead and squeeze the errors and eventually he took the win and the title for the first time.

Thanks to the Whangarei Squash Club and their organising committee in conjunction with the Kamo Squash Club for a great weekend of squash and a great tournament.

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