Improved Standard Of Squash Rackets

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32017, 18 June 1969, Page 18

Improved Standard Of Squash Rackets

The benefits of a week-end of tournament play were evident in the higher standard of squash rackets shown in the seventh round of the A grade competition last night. Although the two leading teams. Old Collegians and Christchurch B, won, they had many anxious moments before doing so. Christchurch B is still leading with 56 points, Old Collegians have 54, Christchurch C 44, High School Old Boys 36. Christchurch A 25, University A 18, Christ’s College 18, and Uni versity B 17.

For University B, D. A. Garrett, in top position in the absence of A. Naughton, fully extended R- Taylor (Christchurch B), leading 7-4 in the fifth game before he lapsed into a series of errors. Taylor deserved credit for his recovery; if he had lost it would have been a draw for his team, instead of an 8-2 win.

Earlier. P. Gallagher (University B) had surprised with a three-game win over A. E. Dunlop (Christchurch B). This was Dunlop’s first loss of the competition but on the night he found Gallagher’s positional play and range of strokes too much to combat.

The Old Collegians-University A match featured two long fivesetters T. L. Williams (Old Collegians) had to call on all his experience to edge out J. Borren (University A), as did the veteran. L. G. Holder (Old Collegians), against C. Tilby (University A). J. H. N. Pine (Christ’s Cob

lege) and J. W. Mitchell (H. 5.0.8. also went to five games before Pine won. Mitchell led two games to one after displaying fine touch with his volleys. In the third game Pine had three game points before Mitchell came to light with several well-placed volleys, taking the game at his first chance with a delightful drop volley.

At this stage, Mitchell looked a certain winner as Pine appeared very tired, but in the fourth game Pine was on top as he increased the tempo ol the match, moving at top speed into his shots. He took th< game 9-0.

Pine went to 3-0 in the fifth weathered a flutter of resist ance. and moved on to 7-2 with well-mixed play, before Mitchell made a determined recovery t<> 5-7. On regaining the service Pine played to a length to run* out the winner at 9-5. Results:—

Old Collegian 10, University A 0: J. G. Foulds beat N. Rushi 9-7, 9-6, 6-9, 9-2; T. L. William*' beat J. Borren, 9-6, 5-9, 9-3, 2-9 9-5; M. R. Blank beat C, C Kissling, 9-3, 9-6, 9-6; L. G. Holder beat C. Tilby, 7-9, 9-5 4’9, 9-0, 10-8. Christchurch B 8, University B 2: R. Taylor beat D. A. Gar rett, 9-3, 5-9, 6-9, 9-6, 9-7; J Crosbie beat N. B. Ullrich, 8-10 9-5, 9-1, 9-4; A. E. Dunlop lost to P. Gallagher, 6-9, 7-9, 8-10; R. G. Pattinson beat B. Johns 9- 9-0, 9-0. High School Old Boys 8, Christ’s College 2: J. W. Mitchell lost to J. H. N. Pine. 6-9, 9-4, 10’9, 0-9, 5-9; R. McCutcheon beat J. E. Mcßride 10- 9-2, 9-5; S. G. Maister beat P. R. Sawtell, 9-2 9-2, 9-4; S. C. Dixon beat A. Robinson, 9-2, 9-6, 9-4.

Christchurch C 8, Christchurch A 2: B. V. Hamilton beat R. D. Monk, 5-9, 9-1, 9-2, 9-5: N. W. McGillivray lost to L. G. Milne, 8-10. 0-9, 7-9; D. Marshall beat N. W. Herd, 10-8, 8-19, 9-10, 10-8, 9-5: E. Yeend beat B. Prisk, 9-6, 9-3, 9-4.