Leader Narrow Winner In Squash Rackets

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 18

Leader Narrow Winner In Squash Rackets

Christchurch B narrowly retained its lead in the A grade squash rackets competition last evening. It beat the improving University team by eight games to seven.

Christchurch A convincingly beat Officers, 3-1, and Collegiate scored its first points with a similar win over Christchurch C.

D. R. Preston (Christchurch B) showed he is unlikely to be seriously challenged for his top provincial position, when he. easily beat R. M. Garrett with the loss of only three points. In the first game, Preston played many loose shots and Garrett appeared to be on even terms at the beginning. Then Preston played two reversed angle shots which wrong-footed Garrett completely. From then, the game was all Preston’s.

Garrett’s return of service was extremely weak and he started each rally on the defensive. The occasional good shots made by Garrett were easily returned by the fleet-footed Preston. In the last two games Garrett failed to score a point and had only seven serves. D. J. Triggs (Officers) polished off P. L. Mackenzie in three sets, his fitness and attacking play proving too much for his more experienced opponent. J. H. N. Pine (Collegiate) had a struggle in the first set against L. G. Milne (Christchurch C) but after surviving two game points, he came to the fore with some fine crosscourt drives which found Milne out of position. In the second

and third sets t Pine made few mistakes, keeping Milne at the back of the court and forcing him to make many errors. The veteran, R. G. Pattinson (Christchurch A), won a marathon against another experienced player, M. R. Blank. Guile matched guile and there were two very exhausted men after Pattinson played the winning drive.

A surprise result was the win of I. Watson (University) over P. C. Angiand (Christchurch B) in four sets. Watson impressed with his clean hitting and ability to put the ball away for a winner when the opening came. Results:

Christchurch C 1, Collegiate 3. —L. G. Milne lost to J. H. N. Pine, 9-10, 5-9, 5-9; N. W. McGillivray lost to L. Williams, 7-9, 9-3, 5-9, 4-9; H. S. Gair beat B. Andrews, 9-5, 9-3, 10-9; D. Marshall lost to D. Garrett, 7- 9-7, 9-4, 8-10, 5-9. Christchurch B 8 Games, University 7 Games.— D. R. Preston beat R. M. Garrett, 9-3, 9-0, 9-0; M. D. Grant lost to N. A. Justice, 9-6, 5-9, 6t9, 1-9; P. C. Angiand lost to I. Watson, 7-9, 9-1, 8- 3-9; J. Crosbie beat R. H. Donald, 9-3, 8-10, 9-4. 9-2. Officers 1, Christchurch A 3. —D. J. Triggs beat P. L. Mackenzie, 9-2, 9-5, 9-3; M. R. Blank lost to R. G. Pattinson, 8-10, 7-9, 9- 9-5, 9-10; G. C. P. Beatfel lost to S. Suckling. 6-9. 4-9, 6-9; J. Cotter lost to W’. Thom, 10-8, 6-9, 5-9, 9-7; 5-9.