English Junior 2019 champions crowned in Hull

By Donna Helmer

The Dunlop English Junior Championships 2019 (EJC) came to a thrilling climax in Hull today as ten juniors representing eight counties tasted national success, with Essex’s Elise Lazarus capturing a record sixth title.

Boys Under 19 top seed Max Forster (N’bria) claimed his maiden national title after overcoming second seed Lewis Anderson (Warks) 3-1. Forster started the brighter of the two, clinching the first two games before Anderson soon found his rhythm to clinch the third. Forster quickly closed the door on a comeback and upped the ante to snatch the fourth and the title winning: 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6.

Forster said: “It feels great to win it. Lewis is a very tricky player who has sots coming out from everywhere. Today I had the edge and carried it through and won.”

It was an all-Essex affair in the Girls Under 19 final with top seed Elise Lazarus and [2] Alice Green going head-to-head for the Steve Hubbard Trophy. Green took control claiming the first, before Lazarus replied to clinch the next three games and her record sixth championship title: 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9.

The 18-year-old, who was playing in her last EJC said: “It feels amazing to win it in my last year. I'm feeling quite emotional as I've played this event so many times now and feel sad it's my last one."

Lancashire’s Saran Nghiem, the 3/4 seed who knocked out the top seed on her way to the Girls Under 17 final, claimed her national maiden title in style following a straight games victory over second seed Lydia Robinson (Yorks): 11-3, 11-7, 12-10.

The Lancastrian said: "It's just surreal. I was pumped for the final after beating the top seed yesterday. I played my best and it turned out good."

Lincolnshire’s Ben Smith retained the Boys Under 17 title following a convincing 3-0 victory over [2] Adam Goad (Cumb) winning: 11-5, 11-7, 11-7.

Smith said: "I came here hoping to retain the title and proved that I could."

Yorkshire’s [2] Asia Harris dethroned Girls Under 15 defending champion Torrie Malik in a topsy turvy four-setter that could have gone either way, winning 3-1: 10-12, 12-10, 15-13, 13-11.

An emotional Harris afterwards said: “It was a very hard match, it’s always close between me and Torrie. It feels amazing to win.”

In the Boys Under 15 final, Sussex’s [1] Jonah Bryant claimed his fourth championship title following a straight games victory over British Junior Open Under 13 champion [5/8] Abd-Allah Eissa (Warks): 12-10, 11-9, 11-5.

Bryant said: "I’m really happy to win my fourth national title at 13. Abd-Allah's improved a lot since last year's final - it was hard!"

Hampshire’s Alexander Broadbridge claimed his second national title in the Boys Under 13 final following a clinical display against second seed Harry Bloomfield (Glos), winning 3-0: 11-7, 11-5, 11-4.

Lancashire’s Charlie McCrone sensationally overpowered Girls Under 13 top seed Meha Shah (Warks) to clinch her second national title winning 3-1: 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7.

Commenting on her victory, the 11-year-old said: "It feels absolutely amazing! I'm so happy. There was no pressure going in as number two seed. I was one-down, and Meha was playing absolutely amazing and then it suddenly all clicked. I honestly didn't think I'd come out with that result.”

In the Boys Under 11s, Warwickshire’s [5/8] Ismail Khahil produced the biggest comeback of the day, coming from two games down to edge top seed Dylan Kalar (Berks): 7-11, 10-12, 14-12, 11-6, 11-9.

Warwickshire’s [1] Mariam Eissa retained her Girls Under 11 national crown following a 3-0 victory over second seed Isabella Hutton (Sussex) winning: 11-6, 11-3, 12-10.

Dunlop English Junior Championships 2019 - final results

B19: [1] Max Forster (Nbria) 3-1 [2] Lewis Anderson (Warks) 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6
G19: [1] Elise Lazarus (Essex) 3-1 [2] Alice Green (Essex) 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9
B17: [1] Ben Smith (Lincs) 3-0 [2] Adam Goad (Cumbria) 11-5, 11-7, 11-7
G17: [3/4] Saran Nghiem (Lancs) 3-0 [2] Lydia Robinson (Yorks) 11-3, 11-7, 12-10
B15: [1] Jonah Bryant (Sussex) 3-0 Abd-Allah Eissa (Warks) 12-10, 11-9, 11-5
G15: [2] Asia Harris (Yorks) [1] Torrie Malik (Sussex) 10-12, 12-10, 15-13, 13-11
B13: [1] Alexander Broadbridge (Hants) 3-0 [2] Harry Bloomfield (Glos) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
G13: [2] Charlie McCrone (Lancs) 3-1 [1] Meha Shah (Warks) 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7
B11: [5/8] Ismail Khalil (Warks) 3-2 [1] Dylan Kalar (Berks) 7-11, 10-12, 14-12, 11-6, 11-9
G11: [1] Mariam Eissa (Warks) 3-0 [2] Isabella Hutton (Sussex) 11-6, 11-3, 12-10

View results.