Squash starts tonight

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33213, 1 May 1973, Page 14

Squash starts tonight

With three extra team* and a number of new face* in the competition, the Christchurch A grade men's squash rackets championship, which begins this evening, promises to be most interesting. 'Among the newcomers {or this season are J. G. Foulds, a {ormer Canterbury No. J; G, L. Bird, who once reached the national final; J. W. Mitchell, the fifth-ranked Canterbury player in 1971; and R, McCutcheon and S. G. Maister. both of whom have achieved good results in lower positions.

Nine teams have entered the competition, High School Old Boys, Christchurch and Old Collegians providing the extra sides. In the previous two seasons, Old Collegians played in the B grade because of the non-avail-ability of player* for Saturday •play, but with all team member*

available and with the addition of Foulds, Old CoUegians could prove one of the stronger team*. High School Old Boys have entered two evenly-balanced teams. V. J. Hargreaves, MltcheU, J. Tolchard, L. G. Skurr. and C. Collins comprise one team, and 1 B. McNeill, Bird, Maister and McCutcheon form the other side.

Bird, who represented New Zealand on many occasions and who is still an excellent striker of the ball, now live* at Hawarden, and although hl* practice opportunities are limited he will still create many problems for his opponents. With three teams entered, the Christchurch club ha* had to spread it* resources rather thinly, and there appears to be * falling off In the tall-ender* compared to Old Boy*. However, their top players, D. R. Preston, M. Billington, and M. D. Grant should give their team* a good start. The Christchurch teams are:

|No.‘l. Preston, P. Salt, P. Steinmetz. R. C. Moreton and P. Burt; No. 2, Billington, N. Idour, G. Souter and W. Thom; No. 111. Grant, R. D. Monk, R. G Pattinson, L. Wilson and M. Barnes. Sumner has gained J. Ilosesear from University, and with L. G. Milne, J. McDougall, P. C. Johnston, and C. van Uden to choose from. It should provide sterner opposition than last season.

Burn*ide will be led by L. C. Spark* and J. Moseley. J G. Crosble and L. Fullwood complete the side. Foulds will bead the Old Collegians’ side which comprises T. L. William*, a solid player and the father and son combination of M. R. Blank and R. Blank. University is fortunate to still have N. D. Rush and L. Plever, and the transfer of B. Trangmar from Christchurch is a good gatn. Its fourth member. C C. Klssllng, ha* just returned from overseas and may well improv* his position.