Binnie lifts Under-17 crown

JAMAICA'S CHRIS Binnie is the new Boys Under-17 title holder in the Caribbean Area Squash Association's (CASA) Junior Championship, which is currently taking place in the Cayman Islands.

Binnie came out on top on the third day of the competition, which started last Friday, after defeating Guyana's Kristian Jeffreys 3-1.

The champs also saw good performances from the Jamaicans in two other events - David Patterson finishing second in the Under-19 final, going down to Damien Da Silva of Guyana in the fifth game 9-7; and in the Under-15 event, where number one seed Bruce Burrows also came in second following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Bermuda's Robert Maycock.

To qualify for the finals, Binnie slammed nemesis Bryant Cumberbatch, Barbados while recording a 3-0 win. It was the first time in five years that Cumberbatch was being defeated in the event.

Patterson secured his place in the final with a marginal 3-2 win over Under-19 captain Brad Low, while Burrows claimed victory over Barbados' Nkosi Ross.

The girls did not advance past the semi-finals, as Brooke Burrows lost to Kelly Barnes of Bermuda 1-3 in the Under-13 event; Kristine Bell bowing to Cayman's Samantha Hennings 3-1 in the Under-15 division; and Rori Leigh Mighty pulling up with an injury against Bo Harris of Barbados in her first Under-19 game.

Brooke and Low were both awarded fourth place in their respective categories.

After taking a day off yesterday, the competition will resume with team matches at 9:00 a.m. today when the boys will take on Venezuela.