Squash struggle likely

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 6

Squash struggle likely

Stephen Hughes, a dashing Wellingtonian with a distinctive crew-cut, may well have a struggle to confirm his top seeding when he competes in the Canterbury open squash championships this week-end. Presuming that he gets through to Saturday’s final safely, Hughes could face defeat at the hands of either of the two local players, Rod Hayes (Christchurch) or Lyn Sparks (Burnside). Hayes has been a little inconsistent in club play this year and has not yet fully adjusted to wearing contact lenses but has had a brilliant tournament season.

The national junior champion has already won four of the five tournaments he has entered and has included the scalps of the New Zealand under 23 champion (Brian Barnett), a former national champion (Laurie Greene) and the New Zealand No. 6 (Tony Naughton). Sparks, playing very sound souash at present for his club, has beaten Hayes once in three contests this season and if, as expected, the pair meet in the semi-finals on Saturday evening, then the match could well go the full distance. In the Sumner open, six weeks ago, Hayes beat Sparks only 10-9 in the final game of a five-set match.

Hughes is still only in his early twenties even though he went to Australia with the

national side as far back as 1972 and has registered a win over the highly rated New Zealand professional, Shane O’Dwyer (Wellington) this season. If on form he should be well worth watching. The young Christchurch players, Paul McFadzien (unbeaten apart from a default in club matches this season) and Barrie Matthews, are among the 16 entries capable of an upset. The first round draw for the men’s open (all games on Friday evening) is Stephen Hughes, Wellington (1) v. George Balani; Lawrence Skurr (8) v. John Redpath; Paul McFadzien (5) v. Rex McDonald (Timaru); Kevin Leary (Timaru) v. Barry McNeil (4); Lyn Sparks (3) v. Don Preston (Greymouth); Barrie Matthews (6) v. Mike I Grant; Bruce Trangmar v. [Neil Rush (7); Laurie Wilson v. Rod Hayes (2). Originally, two leading North Island players — Trevor Colyer and Jenny Webster (both Auckland) — were to have entered the “Christchurch Star” sponsored tournament but both were compelled to enter the Bay, of Plenty open for national selection purposes. “This policy which makes so many North Island tour[naments compulsory is hamstringing the whole season for us,” said the controller of the Christchurch tournament, Mr Neville Idour, yesterday.

Without Webster, the national champion, a little glamour is taken out of the women’s section but the standard is still likely to be very good with all the top Canterbury players competing. Ros Stanton (Old Boys) is the undoubted favourite to retain the title she won by beating the Sumner player, Merle Holland, last year but both Mrs Holland and Kathy Graham (Burnside) have looked very good at times this season and should provide some strong opposition to the determined Miss Stanton. Entries for the tournament total, 184, making it the biggest tournament in Christchurch since the 1975 New Zealand championships. Courts will be used at both Chester Street and Bangoi Street (the Christchurch Rugby Club’s rooms) during the second and third days — tomorrow and Saturday. The women’s draw for th« first round (all but one game this evening) is Ros Stanton (1) v. Lorna Symes; Lorraine Sutherland (8) v. Dianne Shepherd (Blenheim); Marg Quince v. Bette King (5): Jeanette McCutcheon v. Merle Holland (4); Phillipa Lush (3) v. Sharyn Lane; Joanne Milne (6) v. Agnes Huriwai; Barbara Steele v. Vai Dunstan (7); Saskia O’Brien v. Kathy Graham (2)