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Epke Edges to Historic Victory in Palmerston North

A stunning victory for Auckland teenager Ellie Epke at the Property Brokers New Zealand Junior Squash Nationals at SquashGym in Palmerston North.Ellie Penang

The 14-year-old has been crowned New Zealand Junior National Champion, after an upset victory over top seed Rebecca Barnett in the final.  Epke, who was eligible to play in the under 15 age group, took the gamble of playing in the premier under 19 division and reaped the rewards with a stunning four game win over Barnett in the title decider.  Barnett, who won the New Zealand Junior Open title earlier this year, grabbed the early advantage with an 11-9 victory in the opening game.  However, Epke refused to be intimidated by the Wellingtonian, battling back to claim the next two games and had one hand on the title with two match balls in the fourth.  The young Aucklander looked to have converted the first match ball, only to be denied by a refereeing decision hotly disputed by the majority of the 180-odd spectators.  However, Epke would not be denied, closing out the match two points later with an 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-9 victory to become the youngest ever winner of the New Zealand Junior National title.

Meanwhile, it was a more predictable final in the under 19 boys division.  Top seed Zac Millar proved too good for third seed Todd Redman, winning 12-10, 11-8 11-6.

In the under 17 age group Scott Galloway (Wellington) waltzed to the boys title with a resounding 3/0 win over Max Trimble (Northland), finishing the tournament without dropping a single game.  Top seed Hayley Hughes (Auckland) also continued her fine tournament to with her second consecutive under 17 title, beating Juee Bhide (Auckland) in three.

Sam Sayes (Northland) beat Rios Moleta (Gisborne) in three tight games to claim the boys under 15 title while New Zealand Rep Abbie Palmer (Auckland) was too strong in the girls division defeating Anna Hughes (Auckland) in straight games in the final.

A big local crowd gathered to watch the all SquashGym final in the Girls under 13’s where Kaitlyn Watts defeated Courtney Trail to add the under 13’s to last years Under 11 Championship while Anthony Lepper (Auckland) took out the Boys division.

In the youngest age group, the Under 11’s, Glenn Templeton (Bay of Plenty) and Anika Jackson (Waikato) took home their respective trophies.

Results

Under 19s

Zac Millar defeated Todd Redman 12/10, 11/8, 11/6

Ellie Epke defeated Rebecca Barnett 8/11, 13/11, 11/8, 11/9

Under 17s

Scott Galloway defeated Max Trimble 15/6, 15/13, 15/11

Hayley Hughes defeated Juee Bhide 15/12, 15/11, 15/5

Under 15s

Sam Sayes defeated Rios Moleta 15/11, 15/13, 15/11

Abbie Palmer defeated Anna Hughes 15/4, 15/3, 15/8

Under 13s

Anthony Lepper defeated Matthew Galen Lucente 15/13, 15/13, 15/13

Kaitlyn Watts defeated Courtney Trail 15/11, 15/4, 15/6

Under 11s

Glenn Templeton defeated Kobe Fleming 16/14, 15/3, 10/15, 12/15, 15/9

Anika Jackson defeated Samantha Harding 15/5, 15/8, 15/10


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