Holmes siblings dominate
The talent of the two Holmes siblings couldn’t be ignored at the Squash Central junior age group championships at the Taihape Squash Club.
There were 10 age group titles up for grabs at the event at the weekend. As well as the top honours of the under-19 titles, there was also under-17, 15, 13 and 11 grades.
The event is one of the selection tournaments for the national championships, along with the North Island age group championships in New Plymouth in a few weeks.
The Holmes siblings from Ha¯wera won both the under-19 titles, with Abbie, 18, beating her former club-mate Kayla Ryan in the girls’ final.
Reece, at just 14, beat Ohakune’s Jayden Bailey, who has improved hugely in the past year, in the boys’ final.
Holmes and Bailey had a fast-paced match with both showing off their ball and court speed, but Holmes had the touch and pulled off some stunning drop shots from the back of the court alongwith the famous Ha¯wera reverse boast. Reece also claimed the under15 boys title from Kawaroa Park upcomer Cassius Leevey.
The Holmes siblings have plenty of growth and squash ahead of them. Parents Melville and Denise Holmes are huge supporters of the game and both play themselves.
Another talented squash family produced top results, with the Darlington brothers of Whanganui, Ethan and Luke, taking first and second in the under-11 boys.
Taihape has a good junior programme and great membership.
They produced some top results over the weekend with the standout performance of the locals coming from Jack Squires, who surprised and challenged the rep squad players.
He impressed selectors so much he has been invited to join them for future camps.
It will be Central’s last junior age group championships, with the event being restructured next year into a junior open.