Davidson Fails Dramatically In S.I. Squash Final

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30485, 6 July 1964, Page 12

Davidson Fails Dramatically In S.I. Squash Final

G. L. Bird (Timaru) retained his South Island squash rackets title at Timaru yesetrday, by a score which suggests that, although he lost the first game, he was never really troubled. But for the opening 10 minutes of the final with the top Christchurch player, G. A. Davidson, Bird was sorely pressed, and before Davidson’s condition completely deserted him, he had looked capable of. not only winning, but doing so convincingly, with his finest display in many years. . Davidson started his challenge with determination, spirit and all-round competence, and for once Bird found himself often on the defensive. But when Davidson led 5-0 in the second and one game to love, there came an amazing transformation. Davidson suddenly, and

without warning, came almost to a complete stop. He won only one more point while Bird secured 27, and a. match which had promised much came rapidly, and rather sadly, to an end.

Davidson has seldom started so well as he did in the final. He attacked from the first ra.lly with powerful, well-placed drives keeping Bird behind him, and he also played several drops to perfection, while a drop volley —and two drives of perfect length—were also point scorers. Racing to 5-0, Davidson had made a quite startling impact, and when Bird improved to 5-all he was still more than equal to the task of taking the first game. Davidson played one forehand drive that was at once daring in conception; superb in execution, and it was the devisive stroke of the first game. It dame at the end of a very long hard-hitting rally. From an awkward position Davidson suddenly drove with tremendous power an inch above the tin. The ball died just behind the service Urie and Bird’s effort to retrieve it never seemed likely to- succeed It was the shot of the match.

With two . touch winners and three errors from Bird—two were clearly forced by Davidson’s placement Davidson raced to his 5-0 lead In the second game. Then Bird played an angle tn front court. Davidson moved a pace or two forward and stopped. He was never thereafter in the match.

Bird at once repeated the short angle for four winners for none of which Davidson made a real effort. ’

Bird, taking full advantage of the chance offered him, scored continuously as his drives increased in power, and drops' and angles even weU above the tin were usually winners. The third game took four minutes, the fourth only three, and It was all over. Miss R. Rqbb (Australia) was too consistent in length and had more winning shots t&an Miss C. Swift,' but Christchurch players figured protninently; winning four titles. Results were: A GradeFirst Round.—F. N. Coe beat D. G. Green, 9-4, 9-6, 9-2. Ouarter-finals.—G. L. Bird beat Coe, 9-1, 9-4* 9-7; J. N. Isaacs beat L. A. Wilson (Aust.), 9-5, 8- 9-6, 9-2; G. A. Davidson (Chch.) beat T. S. Tucker (Aust.), 9-2, 9-7, 9-0: K. R. Greenbeat D. R. Preston (Chch.), 7-9, 10-9, 9-7, 9-1. Semi-finals. —Bird beat Isaacs, 9- 9-3, 9-3; Davidson beat Green. 9-5, 9-2, 3-9, 9-1. Final.—Bird beat Davidson, 5 ; 9, 9-5, 9-1, 9-0. B Grade quarter-finals.—N. A. Justice (Chch.) beat B. Gardiner. 9-3, 9-2, 9 : G; R. M. Garrett (Chch.) beat B. Armstrong, 3-9, 9-5, 1-9, 9-6. 9-1; R. G. Goodall (Chch.) beat E. R. Morris (Chch.), 9-5, 9-1, 4-9, 9-2; S. Suckling (Chch.) beat T. Jones, 4-9, 9-3, 9-0, 9-6. Semi-finals.—Garrett beat Justice, 9-4, 9-6, 9-7; Goodall beat Suckling, 9-4, 9-3, 10-8. . Final.—Garrett beat Goodall; 3-9, 9-5, 10-9, 9-5.

C Grade Semi-finals.—D. B. Lyons beat M. Mason, 2-9, 9-4, 9-2, 9-7; W. Thom. (Chch.) beat B. Walsh, 9-3, 4-9, 9-2, 9-6. Final.—Thom beat Lyons, 9-7, 6-9, 9-6. 9-6. D Grade Semi-finals.—G. W. Dudman (Chch.) beat M. Fenton, 9-3, 9-5, 9-0; R. Townsend beat D. Hearn (Chch.), 9-5, 9-5, 9-3. Final.—Townsend beat Dudman, 9-1, 9-0, 7-9, 9-7. Women Semi-finals.—Miss R. Robb (Aust.) beat Mrs P. Leopold (Chch.), 6-9, 9-3, 9-3, 10-8;: Miss C. Swift (Chch.) beat Miss D Bagrie (Inv.), 9-4, 9-3, 3-9, 9-2. Final.—Miss Robb beat Miss Swift, 5-9, 9-1, 9-4, 9-6. Veterans Final.—C. F. Ryan beat A. S. Gibson, 9-6, 9-0. Plate Events A Grade.—Semi-finals: B. J. Rippin beat W. A. Green, 9-0, 9-3, 5-9. 10-8: D. G. Green beat D. Lawrie, 9-2, 9-4, 6-9, 9-7. Final: Rippin beat Green, 9-1, 9-1, 9-2. B Grade.—Final: T. P. Kinney beat A. C. Cartwright, 9-2, 3-9, 9.Q O.ft C Grade.—Final: T. W. Dimmock beat J. T. Clarke, 9-1, 10-8. 9-0. D Grade.—Final: D. J. Angl*nd beat P. Burn, 3-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-6.