Squash Title Won By P. L. Mackenzie

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30466, 13 June 1964, Page 14

Squash Title Won By P. L. Mackenzie

After a final disappointing in standard, but during the last three games interesting because of the close contest which developed, P. L. Mackenzie became the new Christchurch squash rackets champion, when this year’s titles were completed at the Chester Street courts last evening.

Mackenzie beat the 1961 beaten finalist, D. R. Preston, 4-9, 6-9, 10-9, 10-9, 9-6. Miss C. Swift convicincingly won the women’s title, N. A. Justice took the B grade championship in three games from S. Suckling, and R. G. Goodall recovered well from two games down to beat R. M. Garrett in the A grade flight. The 15-year-old D. A. Garrett showed further promise in making a bold effort to win the C grade event, losing only in five games to the more experienced G. W. Graham. Little Fortunate

It is likely that the new Christchurch title • holder would be the first to agree that he was a little fortunate to win. Preston had the better match statistics. He made 12 less errors, hit only eight less winners, scored nine points in each of the first four games—he totalled 42 points to the winner’s 39—and held a match point in each of the third and fourth games, after taking the first two. It was not until he led, 8-6, in the final game that McKenzie seemed likely to win. In the first two games he was completely out of touch and his crop of elementary errors left Preston needing to do little more than keep the ball In play. Out of Touch

During these games, and for most of the remainder of the match, McKenzie commanded better court position and made most of the play. But he was so far below his best that defeat seemed inevitable, notwithstanding Preston’s own inability to find a controlling length, or to keep his drives close to the walls.

The match at no stage even approached the splendid final last year in' which M. J. Simons beat G. A. Davidson, and it was not difficult, particularly early, to visualise the result had Davidson justified his seeding

this year and at his best met either of the finalists.

When Mackenzie. In the middle of the third game, began to gain in surety with his best shot, a low backhand quickly killed close to the nick, Preston faltered at once. But from behind, he had a run of fine drop shots to take five points, and reach a match point at nine-all. Then to the amazement of the packed gallery, he hit his service to the bottom of the tin, an incredible error at such a time.

Wet walls helped Mackenzie a little in the last two games for his driving was much superior. Preston had another chance in the fourth game, only to lose on a penalty point, but his drives were very loose, and he seemed to lose confidence in his touch game when he hit the tin with some drops, and played others at least a foot too high. Judgment Astray His judgment of the shot to attempt was often astray and with Mackenzie sensing his chance, improving his placements, particularly In the air, the match gradually slipped away from Preston. It took exactly one hour to find the new title-holder, but there were few really long sustained rallies, and only occasionally was either player able to apply real pressure. Perhaps because of this Mackenzie lasted well—it was not thought that his condition was such to allow him to beat Preston from two games down. But his experience and positional play enabled him to keep Preston in the rear, and he deserves credit for beating Preston at his own touch game at the vital closing stages. Miss Swift had two much variety of shot for Mrs Leopold in the women's event. She played the drop shot across the court well, kept a good length and also drove to better purpose. Justice also played intelligently to win the B grade. He has a severe forehand and he used it well, paving the way with variation of pace and placement. Results:

Championship Finals A Grade—P. L. Mackenzie beat D. R. Preston, 4-9, 0-9, 10-9, 10-9, 9-6. B Grade.—N. A. Justice beat 8. Suckling, 9-4, 9-4. 19-8. C Grade.—G. W. Graham beat D. A. Garrett, 9-7, 10-8, 4-9, 1-9, 9-6. Women—Miss C. Swift beat Mrs P. Leopold, 9-S, 9-0, 9-8.

Flight Finals A Grade —R. G. Goodgll beat R. M. Garrett. 6-9. 4-9, 9-2. 9 2, 9-S. B Grade.—J. F. Cotter beat M. P. Boland, 8-10, 9-0. 7-9. 9-5, 9 «. C Grade —N. B Ullrich beat D. V. Hearn. 91, 91. 9 0.