Won one, lost one was the record as the Island's top juniors fought it out with their overseas counterparts at the Bank of Bermuda Junior Squash Open.

Local favourite James Stout swept to a predictable win in the boys' Under-19 division at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association's Middle Road courts yesterday, but aspiring female Morgan Lightbourne had to settle for second in the girls combined Under-17 and Under-19 division.

Stout defeated compatriot Andrew Robinson 3-0 (9-2, 9-1, 9-1) to take the title, while Richard Arnold saw off Patrick Stella of the USA 3-0 (9-7, 9-7, 9-5) to relegate the latter to the wooden spoon position.

"Of those in that age group the top four were all Bermudian," said Ross Triffitt, Bermuda's director of squash. "Stella is ranked 60 in the US, so he is obviously not one of the stronger players but he must be playing a few tournaments as the States now has 6,000 kids competing. The fact that he is up that high must mean he is a fairly committed player."

Stout's win was never in doubt.

"The level he is playing at now, there are really not too many players that can be competitive against him in his age group," said Triffitt. "At the senior level we have players that can match it with him and some that are stronger than him, but as far as the juniors go he is certainly our standout player at the moment."

Lightbourne, meanwhile, came up against Carly Grabowski (16) of New Jersey, the American proving too strong for the Island player who is still improving. Grabowski won 3-0 (9-1, 9-3, 9-1).

Speaking after her win Grabowski said: "I enjoyed it very much, it was a wonderful competition and a beautiful venue.

"It's great to have the opportunity to enjoy yourself playing your favourite sport. I will definitely come back to play again. It was great playing the local girls and hopefully there will be a bigger turn-out next year."

Many US youngsters, who had been down to play, opted to stay at home as a result of concerns over the war in Iraq, but Grabowski had no worries about making the trip.

"I wasn't concerned about my safety and the locals were so friendly and made me feel so welcome," she said.

In other divisions, nmber one seed Andrew Stout won the combined boys' Under-15 and Under-17 event beating surprise finalist Iain Redford. Robert Maycock won the Under-13s division without too much trouble and still had the energy to compete in the combined Under-15 and Under-17 division, making the semi-finals before going down to Stout.

Laura Robinson won the girls' Under-13 and Under-15 division convincingly, Caty Luckhurst taking the runner-up spot.