Bentick strikes gold again at Caribbean Championships

James Bentick of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) successfully defended his squash title in the Men’s Over 40 for the third successive year in the Senior Caribbean Squash Championship held in Cayman from August 16 to 23.

This year’s tournament saw a record turnout of full Vets, Women’s and Men’s teams from seven countries: Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, Bermuda, Guyana, OECS and host Cayman Islands.{{more}} Over 100 players competed in individual and team events.

Team OECS was represented by 13 players, seven from SVG and six from the BVI.

On the way to his title, Bentick defeated Steve Smith (Cayman) 3-0, Mark Gilkes (Barbados) 3-1, John Fletcher (Bermuda) 3-0, Ramon Chan-A-Sue (Guyana) 3-0, Joey Levy (Jamaica) 3-0, and Paul DeVerteuil (Trinidad) 3-2.

In the Women’s individual, Daniella Schuman (BVI) took the bronze medal, defeating Ashley Khalil (Guyana) 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4. In the men’s individual event, Kevin Hannaway (SVG) was ranked 9/16.

In the Women’s Over 50, Sherian Slater (SVG) took the silver medal. Slater defeated Marion Goodall (Cayman) 3-0, Lyn DeCambra-McLeod (Barbados) 3-0, Rufaro Celestine (Trinidad) 3-0, and won by default over Jamaica and Guyana. In the final match Slater lost 3-1 to World Masters player Denise Kyme (Bermuda). The gold medal was, however, decided on points won, as both Slater and Kyme had then lost one match each and had the same difference in games and points won and lost. Kyme narrowly won the gold by having won the head-to-head with Slater.

In the Vets team event OECS placed 4th; they beat Cayman 3-2, lost to Barbados 3-2, lost to Bermuda 3-2, beat Guyana 3-2, beat Jamaica 3-2, lost to Trinidad 3-2.

The Men’s team of Jules Snagg, Kevin Hannaway, Othneil Bailey, Jason Doyle and Romario Constance, all of SVG, placed 6th. They won Cayman 3-2, lost to Trinidad 4-1, lost to Barbados 3-2 and Bermuda 3-2. The Women’s team represented by the BVI, placed 7th. OECS Team placed 6th overall, with the Overall Team Champion being Barbados.

SVG team was sponsored by Gold Sponsors, Scotia Bank and NOC, Silver Sponsors Bickles, Hadley’s Bloom, Quik Print and other personal donations. The next Championship in 2016 will be held in Jamaica and 2017 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.