Watts clinches Oceania U19 title
Palmerston North’s Kaitlyn Watts continues to find success on the squash court, this time picking up a title at the Oceania junior championship.
Watts, 16, won the under-19 final at the tournament which helped New Zealand retain the overall title at the event held in Henderson, Auckland, over Easter weekend.
She was one of eight Kiwis to pick up wins, easily bettering Australia (one) and Singapore (one).
Watts cruised her way through the main draw with wins over Australian Jessica Graham (11-3 11-2 11-4) and Kiwi Winona-jo Joyce (11-2 11-4 11-3).
She then beat Kiwi Nadia Hubbard (11-7 11-2 11-7) to set up a final with 15-year-old Australian Alex Haydon.
While Haydon put up a big fight in the opening two games, Watts proved too strong, winning 11-8 11-8 and 11-4, meaning she did not drop a game all tournament.
Both Watts and Haydon were competing in higher grades than they had to, but their dominance against older players proved why they opted for the under-19 level.
It was a top tournament for New Zealand players.
Finn Trimble beat fellow Kiwi Quinn Udy to win the under-19 boys’ division. Rhiarne Taiapa and Matthew Lucente won the girls’ and boys’ under-17 titles respectively, while Leo Fatialofa won the under-15 boys, Natalie Sayes the under-13 girls and Maia Smales and Matthew Growcott claimed the under-11 girls’ and boys’ titles respectively.
Australia’s only win came in the under-15 girls where Sze Yu Lee beat compatriot Georgia Lane in the final.
Edward Boon Hwi Thng picked up a win for Singapore in the under-13 boys by beating Australian Oscar Curtis.