The only exception was James Stout, the under 17 boys' champion, who defeated his older brother and number one seed, Michael. James dominated play from the outset, quickly taking a two games to love lead and working his brother all over the court.

James contined to play good attacking squash and was leading 7-4 in the third game before Michael fought back to clinch the game 9-7. All the retrieving Michael had been doing throughout the match finally took its toll in the fourth game and James held on to clinch another title.

Chris Sgobba and Graham Counsell also provided an exciting match in the boys' under-13 consolation final. Both players produced fine drop shots and excellent court coverage. Sgobba outplayed Counsell early to lead two games to one, before a spirited Counsell improved his play and won the match 9-6 in the final game.

On the first day of competition there were very few upsets with the top seeds brushing aside their opponents. Laura Robinson, the number one seed in the girls' under 11 and 13 events, was so dominant she didn't even concede a point in her first two matches.

The match of the day was the last one in the boys' under 13 between second seed Iain Redford and third seed Alistair Melvin.

Melvin had just fought through a tough five-set match with James Adams in the under 11s and had only been off the court for five minutes before play commenced. He was running hot in the first game and closed it out 9-5.

Redford then fought back valiantly in the second game to take it 10-8. He dominated the third game to take it 9-4. In a see-saw fourth game Melvin levelled the match at 2-2 with a tight 9-6 win.

The fifth game was a colossal tussle between the two competitors with neither of them giving an inch.

After many rallies Redford edged further ahead to 7-3 before he fell and injured his hand. Following the injury time-out, Melvin seized his opportunity to level the score at 7-7.

But Redford then recovered to win the next point and secure the first of three match points which Melvin saved. Redford saved three match points himself before Melvin ran out a 10-9 winner.

HARNESS RACING RAH Ponder Dawn, driven by Michael Roberts, became the two-year-old champion in the Bermuda Bred stakes which featured in the harness racing programme at Vesey Street on Sunday.

Although Grand Fire, driven by Nick DeCosta, and Ponder Dawn won a dash each, the latter had the better winning time in the second heat -- one minute, 15 seconds.

There was only one entry in both the three and four-year-old stakes.

Tux's Little Rocket with Aaron Sims was the only three-year-old and Crunch Time, driven by Colby Sousa, was the sole four-year-old.

Times continue to get faster and four more ponies have risen up to the next time bar.

Grand Willy, driven by Johnny Five, and Trotacre Byrd with Robert Lopes, have both moved up to the Junior Free For All.

Britanny Gold, under the guidance of Nick DeCosta covered the half mile in 1:07 and moves back to Free For All. DeCosta also drove Grand Shady to win in 1:06 flat -- the fastest time recorded so far this season.

SAILING SLG Young Bermudian sailor Jesse Kirkland shone in the Orange Bowl Junior Olympic Regatta in Biscayne Bay, Florida.

The 11-year-old finished eighth out of an Optimist fleet of 123 after 12 races over four days.

Other Bermudians taking part were 13-year-old James Doughty, who finished 19th overall, and 14-year-old Alan Frith, who came 33rd. And 16-year-old Zander Kirkland, racing in his first Laser Radial regatta, missed the first day of racing with flu, but rallied to finish 10th out of 55 in the 10-race series.