Squash NATIONAL TITLES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 16

Squash NATIONAL TITLES

Seeded Men Beaten

Neti PALMERSTON NORTH. Sept. J. Only two seeded players, N. Coe (Timaru) and D. D. Mochan (Hawke’s Bay) have reached the semi-finals of the New Zealand men’s squash rackets championship, which continued in Palmerston North today. The top seed, D. G. Green (Timaru) had to withdraw. He injured a hand in the first round R. B. Clarke (Palmerston North) was eliminated by his clubmate, A. Johns, in the second round. The other two semifinalists are Johns and M. Gunn (Oamaru).

The men’s junior championship final was won by G. Davidson, of Palmerston North, after winning his early matches by a clear margin, he beat G. Bird (Timaru) in a five-set final. Davidson took the first set, lost the second, won the third, dropped the fourth, and won the fifth, 10-8. It was an exciting match, but Davidson s steadiness and clever retrieving was responsible for his win.

There were no surprises m the quarter-finals of the men’s B grade championship, although T. P Kinney (Timaru) beat seeded G. Haddon (Palmerston North) by a walkover. Haddon retired after a few rallies in the first set.

All of the seeded women players have reached the semi-finals. The top 'seed. Miss A. Mackenzie < Oamaru) was taken to four sets by Mrs J Brabant (Rotorua) in the quarter-finals. The North Island champion, Mrs N. New (Palmerston North) was untroubled to win her quarter-final match. The third seed. Miss J. Burmeister (Palmerston North) was taken to five sets by her club-mate. Miss H. Grant, and the fourth seed. Mrs M. Naylor, won her match in straight sets.

In the following results, abbreviations are:—Remuera (R.), Hamilton Hawke’s Bay (H. 8. Timaru (T.). Oamaru (O.), Christchurch (C.). Wigram (Wig.), Palmerston North (P N.).

Men’s Championship Quarter-finals.—D. D. Mochan (H. 8. beat P. Lindsay (PN.), 9-2, 9-7, 5-9, 9-4; M. Gunn (O.) beat P. Mackenzie (O.). 9-2, 9-7, 7-9. 5-9. 9-3; A. Johns (PN.) beat N. Milne (H.). 10-8. 9-6, 9-1; C. Coe (T.) beat E. C. Earwaker (R.), 9-1. 9-0, 9-3.

B Grade Championship Quarter-finals. —R. Mathewson (T.) beat N. Kells (PN.). 9-2, 9-1. 9-0: W. Hawke (Wig.) beat A. R. de Cleene (PN.), 9-2, 9-7. 7-9, 9-6; T. P. Kinney (Tj beat G Hadaon (PN.) by a walkover. Junior Championship Quarter-finals. —G. Davidson (PN.) beat C. Waugh (PN.), 9-7, 9-1, 9-0: R. Mathewson (T.) beat N. Henson (PN.). G. Haddon (PN.) beat D. Wilson (PN.), 9-6, 9-1. 9-7; G. Bird (T.) beat G. Plested (H. 8. 9-4. 9-0. 9-1. Semi-finals: Davidson beat Mathewson. 9-4, 9-7. 9-4; Bird beat Haddon, 9-0, 9-1, 9-1. Final.—Davidson beat Bird, 9-7. 3-9, 9-7, 4-9. 10-8.

Women’s Championship Quarter-finals. —Miss A. Mackenzie (C.) beat Mrs J. Brabant (R.). 3-9. 9-1, 9-5. 9-7; Miss J. Burmeister (PN.) beat Miss H. Grant (P.N.). 9-4. 8-9. 5-9. 9-2. 9-3; Mrs M. Naylor (R.) beat Mrs Kennedy (T.), 9-0, 9-1, 9-5; Mrs N. New (PN.) beat Miss H. Pithie, 9-3. 9-2, 9-1.