Old Boys Have Winning Debut

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31975, 30 April 1969, Page 14

Old Boys Have Winning Debut

High School Old Boys had a comfortable win in their lirst A grade match when the Canterbury squash rackets competition began last evening. In winning their match with University B, H. 5.0.8. looked a well-balanced side, and it would not surprise to see them win again next week against Christchurch A.

The only 10-point victory last evening was that of the Christchurch C side, which proved to have too much experience for the much younger University A. Although it was expected that With the greater number of teams the standard of play would be lower, this was not noticeably so. and some of the younger players looked to be bright prospects. B. V. Hamilton (Christchurch C). at present Canterbury's number one. played to form against N. Rush (University A). He called on all his experience, in driving to an Immaculate length, forcing Rush to over-hit and make many errors. Only In the third did Rush gain the ascendancy when he went to an early lead with good control, but astute play y Hamilton brought him back to the centre position, and the match ended with Rush missing a "sitter" in the middle of the court. J. Mitchell (H. 5.0.8. had a surprisingly easy victory In three games over A. Naughton

(University B). Naughton inadvisably played in new shoes and found great difficulty moving freely about the court. However, Mitchel! was particularly impressive with his crisp decisive volleying. Some of the best squash of the night was seen in the match between J. H. N. Pine (Christ’s College) and R. Taylor (Christchurch B). Pine was in peak form, driving to a fine length off both wings, and Taylor kept up with his pace well. It was a measure of Pine’s control that Taylor could gain only nine points in all. At no time did Taylor find an opportunity to play his favourite shot, the drop.

B. Martin (University A) made a fine start against S. Suckling (Christchurch C). hitting with such speed that Suckling was forced to scramble tor most shots. Gradually the experienced Suckling played himself into the match, and in the end it was Suckling who was scoring with hard hit forehands. Martin looks to have good potential if he can improve his anticipation and cut down on the large number of errors which lost him valuable points.

Details: Christchurch ■ 8, Christ's Calleae 2.—R. Taylor lost to J. H. N. Pine. 3-3. 3-9. 3-3; J. S. Crosbie beat J. E. Mcßride. 3-3.

9-6. 9-3; A. E. Dunlop beat D. G. Hamilton, 9-2. 90. 9-7; R G. Pattinson beat P. R. Sawtel! 0-9. 8-10. 9-3, 9-1, 9-7.

Christchurch C 10, University A o.—B. V. Hamilton beat X Rush. 9-5. 9-1. 9-7: S. Sucklin; beat B. Martin. 8-10. 9-3. 9-t 9-3; D. Marshall beat J. Borren. 7-9, 9-3. 3-9, 9-4, 9-4: N. W. M‘ Gillivray beat C. Tilby. 9-7. 9-0.

Old Collegians 8, Christchurch A 2.—J. G. Foulds beat R. D. Monk. 9-5. 9-3, 9-8: T. L. Williams beat L. G. Milne. 9.6. 9-0, 9-3; M. R. Blank beat N. W. Herd. 9-7, 9-6. 9-3; J. Pearse lost to B. C Jones. 7-9. 5-9, 7-9.

High School Old Boys 8, Univarsity B I—J. Mitchell beat A. Naughton. 9-4. 9-3, 9-2; G Hargreaves beat D. A. Garrett. 2-9. 9-6. 9-6. 9-3: R. McCutcheon beat N. B Ullrich. 9-1. 9.1. 1-9. 6-9. 9-3; P. Murrav lost to P. Gallagher. 4-9, 9-3.'7-9. 6-9.