Burrowes, Anderson win top titles

Records and marathon matches were the highlights of the recently held Tank-Weld/WATA sponsored All-Jamaica Squash Championships at the Liguanea Club.

Wayne Burrowes, playing in his record 26th straight All-Jamaica men's singles final, won his eleventh title playing against Steve Smith.

In the female competition, Karen Anderson came out on top against Sherian Slater for her eighth title . It was her 10th final.

It was another epic Burrowes-Smith final. Burrowes was not the underdog but Smith, who won their last meeting just over a month ago was below par.

Burrowes quickly gained a two games to nil (9/2, 10/9) with an amazingly fast pace that resulted in numerous errors from Smith. Smith showing true grit and determination to quickly regain his form and won the third and fourth games 9/0, 9/4.

At 6-2 in the fifth and deciding game, Smith seemed ready to claim his first All-Jamaica, however, Burrowes was not ready to relinquish his title and clawed his way back into the match, by extracting numerous errors from Smith.

Karen Anderson, soon to be retired from international competition, had a much easier time in the female tournament by defeating transplanted Jamaican now residing in St. Vincent, Sherian Slater, 9/0, 9/3, 9/1, to claim her eighth All-Jamaica title.

One of the most exciting matches was the male third place play-off where Bruce Bicknell defeated Anthony Dougall.

The match, which lasted 90 minutes saw inspired squash from both players making it a see-saw battle for control and dominance. Eventually Bicknell won 10/8, 6/9, 1/9, 9/3, 9/6.

Playing for third place in the female tournament, Anita Bicknell beat the Ladies Super Series title-holder Dingle Spence 6/9, 5/9, 9/6, 9/4, 9/6.