Too Many Teams In Squash Competition

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 11

Too Many Teams In Squash Competition

ONE of the quickest ways w to lower the standard of any sport is to allow too many teams and consequently individuals to participate in the top inter-club competition. Squash rackets is no exception, and while the 1961 inter-club season was again a success, it seems that squash in Christchurch has now reached a standard where A grade status for clubs and players should not be granted lightly. Nine teams in the top grade this season resulted in many matches being won very easily. The leading teams were often not extended, and University A actually won the championship with the loss of only two games in 32. D. R. Preston lost to R. G. Pattinson, to whom he was runnerup for the Christchurch title, and P. M. Hill was beaten by M. R. Blank. Players Spread The decision of the strong Christchurch club to spread its best players through four teams made University A’s path to championship honours much easier than it would otherwise have been, but there was still no doubt of the merit of this team’s performances. Preston had a particularly successful season, and B. J. Shirlaw, at No. 2 for most matches, was the only player in thft/ompetition to play the tnaißbrn of eight games and win titam all. J. H. N. Pine and D. D. M. Stewart met much weaker opposition in the lower half, but they formed a strong bracket and both played and won six games. It was certainly a clear indication of the winners’ all - round | strength that without Hill for most of the season—expected to be its top player when the season began—the championship should still be won so convincingly. The University

club seems likely to go from 1 ’ strength to strength. Its play- i ers are all young, and the B 1 team headed by L. J. Wai- < pole also had a good season. < Other inter-elub successes 1 1 were Pattinson, who in six i appearances lost once, rather 1 surprisingly, to G. D. Moss. I ■ W. Thom, mainly at No. 3 for 1

, Christchurch D, won six < i games out of seven, K. J. . . Brown, Christchurch A No. ; 2. and G. C. P. Beadel, Offi- • ; cers’ Club, No. 3, five out of seven. P. R. Hadley at No. 2 : , for Christchurch D, won four 1 out of six, and M. L. Rooney, 1 i top player for Officers’ Club, ’ ■ lost once in five games. M. R. i > Blank at No. 2 and sometimes ’ I No. 1 for Officers' Club, 1 showed that he is still able I . to match most of the best in i ■ Canterbury; in eight games he , lost only to Pattinson and M. - O. Holdsworth. C. A. McDon- , I aid made five unbeaten • appearances in the lower half , f for Christchurch D. I A total of 58 players ap- • peared in A grade squash I during the season; there are • certainly not 58 players of ■ true A grade standard in > Christchurch. Wigram, which r finished in last place, unfor-

tunately was forced to use 10 and Lincoln College (second last) used seven. An A grade competition of no more than eight, and possibly only six teams, should be seriously considered next season; the bye which means that each team has a break of a month between matches at some stage of the season, should be eliminated. Although it would mean that only three clubs would have A grade representation, a competition comprising three teams from the Christchurch dub, two University teams and Officers* Club, would mean a much higher standard, with few easy games for any individual or team, and would greatly increase the B grade standard. If eight teams are to be admitted It might be desirable for two of the weaker clubs to combine, and Christ’s College, which has won the B grade for the last two years, would have to be considered. With the numbers of players still increasing, it may also be possible to run a C grade competition next season. Optimism There is certainly every reason for optimism for the future of Christchurch squash. Pattinson, Preston, HUI and Walpole performed most creditably in a match against the visiting Australians, and local players competed in the various tournaments with some successes. Besides Preston, Hill and Walpole, there is a number of very good youngsters making rapid progress in the game. But continuous and severe competition in interclub play ia essential if the standard is to continue to improve. Every A grade player must earn his status; he must also know that he will be required to produce his best in every inter-dub game.