SQUASH RACKETS Davidson—Simons In Title Final

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 15

SQUASH RACKETS Davidson—Simons In Title Final

After a remakable reversal of fortune, M. J. Simons, seeded second, qualified to meet the title-holder, G. A. Davidson, in the final of the Christchurch squash rackets championship when the semifinals were played last evening.

Simons recovered from a difficult situation, to produce an amazing run of 17 consecutive points, and beat P. L. Mackenzie in five games. Davidson, after losing the first game, accounted for D. J Triggs, the 1961 champion, in four.

The two top seeded players in the B section also reached the final. E. R. Morris lost his first game of the tournament and had to work hard to beat S. Suckling and R. M. Garrett, in his second long contest, recovered from 1-2 down to beat N. A. Justice. The ever-green veteran, R. G. Pattinson, will meet J. H. N. Pine in the final of the A grade flight.

Out of Touch t Simons found Mackenzie well out of touch at the start of their semi-final and took advantage of his opponent’s many errors to win the first game, 9-2. But Mackenzie came back splendidly to lead by two games to one. forcing errors with good pace and fine length. Simons played a little carelessly, and tried for too many acutelyangled drop-shots to give Mackenzie easy points. Mackenzie led 5-1 in the fourth and he seemed to be well in command as long as his condition lasted. Then came the transformation, and in very quick time it was all over.

Simons suddenly found perfect length; he cut out all risky shots and relied on fitness and control. He forced many errors as he took the fourth game without again conceding service, and carried on in the last, using these tactics to perfection. He kept the ball in piav. made no errors himself, while Mackenzie made a series of mistakes. In the course of his recovery Simons only twice lost service but he regained "handin" immediately in each case

The pattern of the second semi-final was much as expected. Triggs played his drives firmly, was a tenacious and determined retriever, but he lacked one or two essential shots and again found Davidson’s power and pace too much for him. Tightened Game

Triggs. in taking the first game, kept the ball in play well, but Davidson then tightened his game noticeably and hit his pacey shots down the walls and across court, making Triggs run and stretch. In winning the last three games Davidson used the angles

wisely and waited for the opportunity before dropping the ball with telling effect into the forehand corner. Many long rallies ended this way, or with an error from Triggs as his endurance became more fully tested.

Results were;— A Grade Championship Semi-finals.—G. A. Davidson beat D. J. Triggs. 7-9, 9-2. 9-4 9-3; M. J. Simons beat P. L. Mackenzie, 9-2, 3-9, 5-9, 9-5 9-0.

B Grade Championship Semi-finals.—E. R. Morris beat S. Suckling, 9-5, 9-5, 9-10. 10-9; R. M. Garrett beat N. A. Justice, 10-8, 9-10, 4-9, 9-6, 9-6. A Grade Flight First Round.—R Goodall beat L. G. Holder by default Semi-finals.—R. G. Pattinson beat Goodall, 9-0, 9-7, 3-9, 9-6; J. H. N. Pine beat C. C. Kissling. 9-3, 9-3, 9-4.