Squash Rackets NATIONAL TITLES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29910, 25 August 1962, Page 5

Squash Rackets NATIONAL TITLES

Bird Could Surprise

A strong contingent of leading Timaru players., supported by a team of six from Christchurch. are competing in the New Zealand squash rackets championships at Palmerston North, which will continue until Monday afternoon.

P. M. Hill and N. W. McGillivray. from Christchurch, as well as K. R. Green. G. L. Bird. F. N. Coe. B. J Ripping. W. A Green and M. M. Jones, from Timaru. are placed tn the open championship draw of 32 C. R. Waugh (Palmerston North!, the New Zealand champion for the last two years, and I T Easton (Hamilton), runnerup last year, head the seedings They are followed by Green and Bird, with L O’Neill (Hamilton), ranked third on the national list, at No. 5. and Cot next.

Waugh’s chances of taking his third successive title are rated very highly. Easton is the only player to have beaten him this season, and on his two visits south this season, Waugh was untroubled to take the South Canterbury and South Island titles from Bird and Green. However. Green has been in very fine form for some time, playing probably his best squash this year, while Bird, as unpredictable as ever, has the shots and the ability to win the title. But his chances are not improved by an ankle injury he received while playing Waugh in the semi-final of the Corban’s Wine Invitation tournament at Auckland.

Miss P. McLenaughan. the present Australian junior champion. is unlikely to be troubled in the women’s championship At Auckland she easily eliminated the members of this year’s New Zealand team to visit Australia, and the only New Zealander with a real chance of extending her. Mrs A. Stephens the present title-holder—is not competing.