SQUASH RACKETS Top Seeds Reach Title Semi-Finals

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 17

SQUASH RACKETS Top Seeds Reach Title Semi-Finals

G. A. Davidson, M. J. Simons, D. J. Triggs, and P. L. Mackenzie. seeded in that order, reached the semi-finals when the Christchurch squash rackets championships were continued last evening. In the second-round matches only Triggs lost a game, and his encounter with M. D. Grant, who had played splendidly to beat R G. Pattinson in the first round, was easily the highlight of the four A grade matches.

In the B grade championship, another seeded player lost; P. D. Preston (seeded third) was beaten in four games by the unseeded S. Suckling. But the top seeds, E. R. Morris and R. M. Garrett, were successful, Morris comfortably, and Garrett after five hard games with the R.N.Z.A.F. player. E. C. Arundel. Tight Driving Grant drove firmly and very tightly in the first game against Triggs. but he allowed his control to slip away and was oulgeneralled in the end. Triggs is much the more experienced and he improved his length noticeably as the match progressed, and kept Grant behind him as much as possible. Once he began to anticipate Grant's deceptive drives and found touch with his own short game, Triggs usually looked the winner.

M. R. Blank made some spectacular recoveries and played some fine squash shots in contributing to a gallery-pleasing match, but Davidson had too much power and placement Mackenzie had a hard fight for two games against P. M. Hill, but his wider range of shots and his fine short game proved decisive.

Sitnons was expected to find L. G. Milne a formidable opponent after Milne's fine control against N. W. McGillivray, but he played with great purpose and concentration and never allowed Milne to settle down. When Milne ran to an early lead with fine length in the final game, Simons answered with greatly increased pace, particularly on the backhand drive down the wall.

The title-holder. Davidson, will meet Triggs in one semifinal and Is expected to qualify to defend his title on Friday. But the other semi-final between Simons and Mackenzie could prove extremely close, for Mackenzie has been in fine form this season, while

Simons has lacked match play since his recent shoulder injury. Results were:— A Grade Championship First round: P. L. Mackenzie beat L. G. Holder. 9-2, 9-5, 9-0. Second round: G. A. Davidson beat M. R. Blank, 9-7. 9-3, 9-7; D. J. Triggs beat M. D. Grant, 7-9, 9-1, 9-3. 9-4; P. L. Mackenzie beat P. M. Hill, 9-6, 10-8, 9-3: M. J. Simons beat L. G. Milne, 9-5, 9-1, 9-5. A Grade Flight First round: C. C. Kissling beat M. O. Holdsworth; J. H. N. Pine beat N. W. McGillivray; R. G. Pattinson beat B. J. Shirlaw, by default;. R. Goodall beat L. G. Holder. B Grade Championship Second round: E. R. Morris beat C. A. McDonald, 9-2,' 9-0. 9-6; S. Suckling beat P. D Preston. 9-7, 9-7, 7-9, 9-6: N. A. Justice beat J. F. Cotter, 7-9. 9-5. 4-9. 10-9, 9-2: R M. Garrett beat E. C. Arundel, 10-8, 4-9. 4-9, 9-5, 9-4