JAMAICAN squash sensation, Chris Binnie, lost to former Commonwealth gold medallist Mark Chaloner in an epic five-setter Saturday at the Liguanea Club

in Kingston.

In a battle that lived up to its billing, the reigning All-Jamaica and Caribbean men’s champion put up a courageous fight but went down to the more experienced Chaloner, who has been ranked as high as number seven on the professional squash tour.

However, the sold-out crowd had plenty to cheer about as the players put on a splendid display of squash, fighting their way through explosive rallies as they battled for every point. And in a masterful display of skills, the visiting Englishman pulled off the victory, beating the hometown hero, 4/11, 14/12, 11/13, 11/1, 11/7.

Binnie, who joined the professional squash tour earlier this year, said Chaloner was among the toughest opponents he had faced to date.

“It was a hard fight. I took nothing for granted coming into this match and Mark played extremely well, just as I expected,” he said.

The year-end squash showcase also featured a showdown between All-Jamaica and Caribbean Under-15 girls champion, Alyssa Mullings and Mary Mahfood. In a spirited match-up, the younger Mullings kept her head to beat her arch rival 11/5,

9/11, 11/8.

Conversely, experienced trampled youth when 13-time All-Jamaica men’s champion, Wayne Burrowes, faced off with reigning Under-19 boys champion Ashante Smith. The decorated veteran schooled the youngster, beating him

11/0, 11/9.

In the “Corporate Grudge Match”, bragging rights went to Chris Hind, general manager of Jamaica National General Insurance. Hind defeated Dave Morrison, chief financial officer of rival firm, Advantage General Insurance, 21/14 in a first to 21 one-setter.

The event was staged by the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) as a fund-raiser for Binnie, who is presently self-financing his participation in the professional tour. From the proceeds, the JSA will be awarding Binnie a sponsorship grant to help with expenses for 2013.