Balani shows good form in squash

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33966, 6 October 1975, Page 13

Balani shows good form in squash

George Balani, the fourth seed, won the Burnside open C grade squash tournament when he beat John MacDougall in the final yestarday. The excellent touch shown by Balani in the first two games enabled him to out-position MacDougall, although the latter made a spirited come-back to take the third game without conceding a point. Balani, though, had the upper hand when the players returned to the court.

In the women’s C grade, the unseeded Vai Dunstan won in straight games over Nancy Wasley. The other titles went to Sam Leary (men’s D grade), Carolyn Oakley (women’s D grade) and David Murray (men’s E grade).

Results:— Men’s C grade.—Championship semi-finals: J. MacDougall (Sumner) beat L. Wilson (Christchurch), 6-9, 9-6, 9-0, 9-2; G. Balani (Christchurch) beat John Oaklev (Christchurch), 9-3, 9-4, 9-1. Final: Balani beat MacDougall. 10-9 9-6, 0-9, 9-7. Plate final: M. Handy (Burnside) beat P. Hlghsted (Tawa), 6-9. 9-4, 10-8, 2-9. 94. Consolation plate final;

G. Stevens (Ashburton) beat W. McKenna (Suburbs), 9-6, 9-5, 9-6. Classic plate final: D. Kennedy (Thnaru Celtic) beat M. Forster (Burnside), 945, 9-5, 7-9, 9-4. Women's C grade.—Championship semi-finals: N. Wasley (Burnside) beat A. Bettie (Christchurch), 8-10, 9-1, 9-3, 9-1; V. Dunstan (H. 5.0.8. beat J. Burbidge (Burnside), 9-1, 9-0, 10-8. Final: Dunstan beat Wasley, 9-4. 9-6. 9-2. Plate final: A. Huriwai (Christchurch) beat M. Mercer (H. 5.0.8. 7-9, 9-3, 9-0, 9-2. Consolation final: L. Symes (Christchurch) beat P. Wood (Ashburton), 9-1, 9-3, 9-7. Classic Slate final: S. O'Brien (Burnside) eat A. McKenna (Suburbs), 6-9, 9-4. 7-9. 9-1, 94. Men’s D grade.—Championship semi-finals: P. Burbidge (Burnside) beat R. Whyte (Linwood), 8-10, 9-1, 5-9, 94, 10-8; S. Leary (Burnside) beat F. Davenport (Burnside), 9-0, 6-9, 94, 7-9, 9-2. Final: Leary beat Burbidge, 10-9, M, 7-9, 9-3. Women’s D grade.—Championship final: C. Oakley (Christchurch) beat J. tittle (Linwood), 94, 5-9, 94, 94. Men’s E grade.—Championship semi-finals: D. Murray (Christchurch) beat A- Sparks (Burnside), 9-1, 9-5, 9-7; S, Hargreaves (Burnside) beat J. Miles (Burnside), 9-5, 9-7. 9-5. Final: Murray beat Hargreaves, 5-9, 9-5, 7-9, 9-2, 94.