DARTINGTON Squash Club ran their annual Junior Championships on Saturday, June 13.

The Under 11’s featured Archie Gibson, Eddie and Florence Sear, Arabella Hayden, Ioan Murray-Brown and Rudy Courtice, the latter two being the hot favourites.

Archie showed considerable tenacity in coming third, but the fireworks came in the final between the top two seeds. Rudy Courtice won 15-12, 15-12, 10-15, 15-10; but Ioan was a very determined competitor, and as the scores suggest, it was an extremely close encounter.

Rudy and Ioan were also in the U13 final and once again, Rudy prevailed. Aged just eight and nine respectively, Dartington has never had two players this promising in that age group before.

The U15s had a few surprises in store. Noah St George-Kennedy played the more experienced Liam Stein, but Noah’s speed about the court, and his athletic volleying took him through the initial round 8-15, 15-5, 15-10.

Noah then played the number one seed and hot favourite Gabe Northrop-Bromley, Gabe winning 15-5, 15-9.

In the other half of the draw, Harry Courtice was able to avenge his defeat in the 2025 championships by overcoming Gabe Partridge 15-6, 15-4. Gabe NB overcame Harry fairly comfortably in the final, 15-3,15-9, 15-6.

Finally to the U17s division, which nearly featured the upset of the tournament. Oliver Stein’s sometimes unorthodox shots, and determination not to give up, very nearly won him the semi-final. In fact, Oliver had match point at one stage, but Albert Courtice narrowly won 8-15, 15-5, 18-16.

Albert's exertions were not the best preparation for the best of five final against the hot favourite, Gabe Northrop-Bromley, Gabe winning comfortably 15-3,15-10,15-5.

Dartington Squash Club is fortunate to have such a promising junior section, all of whom play with determination, and showing great sportsmanship at all times. The future of squash, now an Olympic sport, is promising at Dartington.