SQUASH RACKETS Bird Went Close To Reaching Final

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29911, 27 August 1962, Page 13

SQUASH RACKETS Bird Went Close To Reaching Final

w • (From Out Own Reporter)

PALMERSTON NTH.. Aug 2S For two and a half games, G. L Bird, of Timaru. Kept the packed gallery at the New Zealand squash rackets championsnips at Palmerston North today In a constant state of excitement. with pernape the finest display of power squash ever seen at a national meeting. But notwithstanding his run of unplayable winners, and an almost complete absence ot errors which took him from one game down to a lead of two games to one and 5-2 in tne fourth. Bird lost in five games, and I. T. Easton, of Hamilton, seeded No. 2. will meet tne title-holder. C. R. Waugn, in the final tomorrow. At his best. Bird’s cftances ot beating Easton and reaching the final were rated highly, but he has disappointed too often in the past. Also, an ankle injury which had seriously interrupted his preparations for this tournament left his fitness in some doubt. Again he lost, but this time he thrilled everyone with his brilliance after a very bad start. He seemed in command until he lapsed in the fourth game to Easton's sudden improvement in length. From the second game to that stage he had produced an aimost incredible succession of winning drives, taking charge of court position and keeping Easton running throughout. Runaway Victories The second and Hurd games took five minutes each—Bird allowed Easton only two points —and in tiiose games he made only one mistake. He continued his run to lead 5-2, and seemed certain to win in four, but Easton tightened his game and struck a fine length when it most mattered.

At 6-5 to Easton, Bird appeared most unlucky not to oe awarded a "let" and his concentration suffered noticeably. In the last game three courageous and perfect drops by Easton from back-court, and Bird's 13 errors, several on return of service, were decisive. The other semi-final was a study in contrast, and K. R Green (Timaru), seeded third, never appeared likely to beat Waugh, although he led for much of the third game. But Waugh. although he made errors with delicate drops in the early stages, hit firm and well-placed drives, and retrieved most of Green’s best shots in his usual heart-breaking style. Beadel In Final Two of the small Christchurch team of five have reached the final day. G. C. P. Beadel. after a long and hard five-game match, will provide Christchurch with a chance of taking the B grade championship. But the title is sure to go to the South Island, for the other finalist is J. N. Isaacs (Timaru).

In defence of his C grade title E. R. Morris in the semi-finals meets J. St. J. Parson, the former Old Collegians' cricketer. who eliminated M. O'Connor (Tlmaru) comfortably with a hard-hitting display. The first title of the meeting has been won by T. Johnston (Palmerston North). The top seeded player tn the junior championship, he again beat R. Ratinac (Australia). In results abbreviations used are:—Palmerston North (P.N.). Hamilton (Ham.). Tlmaru (Tim.). Christchurch (Ch.). Hutt Valley (H.V.), Henderson (Hen.), Remuera (Rem ), Australia (Aust.), Master-ton (Mast.). A Grade Semi-finals.—C. Waugh (PN) beat K. Green (Tim.). 9-1. 9-4, 9-7; I. Easton (Ham.) beat G. Bird (Tim ), 9-3, 0-9. 3-9. 9-J. 9-4. B Grade Semi-final.—G. Beadel (Ch > beat J. Harrington (Mast.), 10-9, 9-4, 3-9. 9-10, 9-7. C Grade Quarter-finals. R Davis (H.V.) beat R. Aslin (P.N.), 9-2. 9-2, 9-0; M. Ongley (H.V.) beat W. Hart (Hen.), 9-3. 8-9. 9-2. 9-3; J. Parsons (H.V.) beat M. O'Connor (Tim.). 9-4, 9-3, 9-7; B. Morris (Ch.) beat J. Gooding (P.N.), 9-1, 9-2, 9-7. Junior Championship Semi-finals. T. Johnston (PN.) beat M. McKenzie (Rem ), 9-4. 9-5, 9-6; R. Ratinao (Aust.) beat G. Isaacs (Tim.), 9-10. 9-2, 9-1, 6-9, 9-2.

Women's Open Championship Semi-finals.—P. McClenaughan (Aust.) beat M. Burmeister (P.N.), 9-4, 9-6. 9-4; A. Tietjens (Rem.) beat H. Hargreaves (Hen.), 9-7, 9-2, 9-6.