WADHAM Year 9 student Josh Morris has led Somerset Under-15s to an unexpected and richly-deserved victory in the National Inter-County Squash finals.

After first round victories over Devon, Dorset and Avon back in September, Somerset were drawn at home in the final regional round which took place at The Victoria Club in Street.

Somerset pulled off a hard-fought victory over Surrey, Hampshire and Devon and in doing so became the first ever junior squash team from Somerset to make the National finals.

The team was led by Morris at No 1, who plays for Merriott Squash Club.

The youngest team member, James Rew, represented The Wyvern Club in Taunton.

The finals weekend pitted the four regional winners against each other across five age categories in a winner-takes-all knockout competition played at the world-famous Pontefract Squash Club in Yorkshire.

The Somerset boys were supported by generous sponsorship from Howdens Joinery who kindly provide bespoke teamwear for the squad for what would turn out to be a magnificent weekend of high-quality squash.

In the first match, Somerset were drawn against Northern Regional champions Northumberland.

Morris, at No 1, recorded a stunning 3-1 victory to lead his side into the final.

Sunday’s final saw Somerset facing Kent.

Somerset took a confident 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matches final.

Then Rew took to the stage and stormed into the lead, winning the first game 11-3, before his opponent rallied to edge the next game 13-11.

Rew collected his thoughts and again demonstrated commendable calmness under pressure and almost faultless squash to prevail 11-5, 11-5 and take the game 3-1, to give Somerset an unassailable 3-0 lead and the national title.