Jamaica were the winners in the Yankees versus Yardies Squash Tournament, although their team lost to the United States of America (USA), said Chris Hind, president of the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA).

Top Jamaican and US players squared off at the Liguanea Club last weekend, with the Americans winning the competition 3-1. Hind said the Jamaicans were successful, as the purpose was to raise awareness about and support for the game locally.

“This was high-quality squash,” said Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association an audience member last Saturday. “The game I just saw was excellent.”

Hind pointed out that, “This is the highest level of squash competition that Jamaicans have seen in years, and we had excellent audience support for it. I am very pleased.”

Jamaica’s Chris Binnie, ranked 72 globally, and Lewis Walters, who recently ranked in the top 100, came up against America’s Chris Gordon, ranked 55, and Chris Hanson, 89. The highlight was a thrilling, hour-long duel between Binnie and Gordon, which the American won.

“It was a hard match,” Binnie said after the gruelling bout. “I missed a few opportunities, but it went pretty well.”

The top-ranked Jamaican and Caribbean player pointed out that the idea for the squash clash between the US and Jamaica followed a discussion he had with Chris Hanson at the start of the year.

Binnie, who trains in the US along with Hanson, then acted as an intermediary between US Squash and the JSA to reach an agreement in respect of the timing and funding requirements.

“I believe that the audience had a good time and would love to repeat this next year,” Binnie said, giving special thanks to his sponsors JN Fund Managers (JNFM), Wata and Stoneleigh Coffee for their support.

“The Yankees versus Yardies Tournament has brought squash in Jamaica to a new level,” said Allan Lewis, managing director of JNFM. “We stand with Chris Binnie in this endeavour, with its focus on quality performances, and the increased public interest it brought to the sport.”

After his victory, Chris Gordon said that, “Binnie put me through all the different levels of pain. I had to dig deep and focus mentally to not give away any cheap points.”

“Squash in Jamaica is looking great,” Gordon further stated. “I enjoyed playing at the Liguanea Club — which serves as a hub for the sport across the country — and playing against a competitor such as Chris Binnie, who is pushing to get into the top 50 in the world and who serves as an inspiration to the next generation of players.”