Thrilling finals decide squash champs at Umhlali Country Club

Last week’s Umhlali Country Club Squash Championships saw a changing of the guard in North Coast squash domination.

Local squash legend Avesh Nurbadh was beaten by up and comer Umar Hoosen in the A Division Main Draw Finals, which proved a fitting end to a box office day of competition.

Nurbadh, a multiple time Jarvis Tournament and Dolphin Coast Championship winner, had beaten Rashid Joosub and Bazil Sarafidis en route to his final berth.

He was joined by Hoosen who took down James Moxham and Sumeet Singh to earn his place in the big game.

A major battle beckoned for number two seed Nurbadh who had beaten top seed Hoosen in an epic five-setter earlier this year.

The first set was a close-fought affair, characterised by long rallies and tight shots. Hoosen would claim it 13-11.

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Set two saw a quick victory for Hoosen, 11-2, before a titanic final set finished 18-16 to complete the victory.

The Main Draw B Division saw an exciting five-set cat and mouse encounter between lefty John Howie and Didier Quevauvilliers.

Howie earned victory after losing the first set 11-15, coming back to win the second 15-13, third 15-6 and fifth 15-10. Quevauvilliers had won the fourth 15-8.

In the Plate Section A Division, James Moxham claimed a straight set victory over in-form Sydney Joelson.

Umhlali Country Club squash chairperson Arnold Fortman was the final gold medalist after he beat Tracey Jansen in straight sets in the Plate Section B Division finals.

Players thanked Ross Urquhart and Fortman for the help in organising the tournament.

They now look to the Dolphin Closed Squash Tournament next week.

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