Australian Squash Team Impresses

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32253, 23 March 1970, Page 21

Australian Squash Team Impresses

Winning the first match of - their tour on Saturday against a strong Canterbury invitation . team, by four matches to nil, the Australian under 23 squash rackets side displayed fine all- ; court games and proved very popular with the spectators. All the Australians impressed • with their ability to use a variety of pace to keep their opponents unsettled, but with the exception of M. Donnelly, they I did not volley as well or as consistently as the invitation, - players. I Two of the results could well have been reversed—D. R. Pres(ton (Canterbury), through lack of match play, was unable to I maintain pressure when in the lead against R. Jolly, and A. Jewell was taken to five games by a fast-moving B. V. Hamil- | ton. Th« Jolly-Preston match was excellent fare. Preston continued to gain admirers with • the way in which he was prepared to work hard during rallies, waiting patiently for the right moments to make forcing .shots with his admirable short game. He made intelligent use of the lob—the only player on! the night to do.-so —and his' drops and drop volleys were a delight. When in danger of losing a vital point, Jolly raised the tempo of play considerably, sweeping the ball to the coriners with excellent drives which, allied with fine angles. Ikept Preston moving at top speed. Some of Jolly's recoveries from the forehand back corner were superb. Along with his team-mates, he played his defensive boasts with great force and surety. Brought up from Ashburton to strengthen the Canterbury side, G. L. Bird played as usual with great power, but unfortunately not always with great accuracy. His opponent. R. Meuleman, son of the Australian test cricketer, K. Meuleman. and himself a Sheffield Shield player this season, looked very impressive as he anticipated many of Birds best shots and' returned them with ease. For such a slightly built player, Meuleman generated tremendous power in his

drives, especially his backhand, and this looked almost solely attributable to the manner in which he cocked his wrist and unwound it with a vicious flick at the moment of impact. Bird played well considering his lack of match play, most of his errors coming when he tried to make play off easy balls. Not enough was seen of Donnelly to gain a true impression of his ability. Against J. H. N. iPine, he was in complete control. showing excellent judgment of length and pace. Pine, unfortunately, failed to produce anything like his usual form, allowing Donnelly to both outdrive and out-general him. The first match of the night was the longest, Jewell taking 55 minutes to beat Hamilton in five games. Despite looking almost distressed at times even in the first game. Hamilton made many ; excellent recoveries, fully de- ; serving the two games he won. , He was unlucky to lose the sec- ! ond after he had built up a con- ; vincing 8-1 lead. His willingness to volley, kept J Jewell under pressure and if his cross-court drives had been of slightly better direction he would have deservedly won. Jewell’s defensive play was extremely sound; he regained court position, with slow deep drives and returned well from the back with hard-hit bursts. Tonight the Australians will play a Southern Districts team at Dunedin. Results (Australian names first).—R. Jolly beat D. R. Preston, 9-5, 9-7, 5-9, 10-8: R. Meuleman beat G. L. Bird, 9-4, 9-3. 9-7; M. Donnelly beat J. H. N. Pine, 9-0 9-1, 9-1; A. Jewell beat B. V. Hamolton, 6-9, 10-8, 9-2, 3-9, 9-2.