No judgment possible

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32892, 15 April 1972, Page 4

No judgment possible

In spite of lower entries than expected and the unfortunate default of the top-seeded D. R. Preston because of transport problems, the Commonwealth Games benefit squash rackets tournament was an undoubted success. There was some doubt about the wisdom of having it at Easter. “Most people go away for Easter,” was said often enough. But of the 18 players and reserves named by the selector for the southern districts match on April 16, 14 played in the tournament. There were many discussions held on the relative merits of the English and American scoring systems. One tournament is not enough to make a real judgment, but it did seem that the American method favoured the steadier

players. Some matches developed into slogging sessions with neither contestant prepared to take a chance attempting winners. However, some of the close finishes were extremely interesting and exciting It was surprising to see the number of contestants who had obviously not practised with the trial scoring prior to the tournament. Pre-practice was essential as a different mental approach is required where every rally counts for a point. . Perhaps a good test or the 15-up scoring would be over a round of the interclub competition later this year. Under these conditions, where players would be, in the main, playing familiar opponents, a better idea of the merits or demerits would be obtained. In winning the tournament, M. Billington, aged 21, indicated that he might fulfil the promise he

showed two years ago when he first came into prominence with a victory over G. L. Bird in the South Canterbury championships. Since moving to Christchurch at the beginning of last season, he has been to the forefront of Canterbury squash, but along with R. N. Hawkes, A. Naghton and N. D. Rush, has been in the shadow of D. R. Preston and V. J. W. Hargreaves.

Last year Billington won the New Zealand B grade title in Wellington, and this year he will be trying to gain a place in the New Zealand colts team to go to Australia.

He showed in the fifth game of this final with Rush that he :rs capable of constructive squash. If he is. prepared to use his urn doubted ability to control the ball in addition to his basic speed of shot instead of just depending on th* speed alone, then he will be a strong contender for the side.