Redpath in squash team

Press, 9 June 1977, Page 6

Redpath in squash team

John Redpath, the assertive High School Old Boys lefthanddr, is to represent Canterbury for the first time in the annual inter-distriet squash teams event.

He was included in a team of five men announced on behalf of the representative selectors last evening by the president of the Canterbury Squash Rackets Association (Mr Viv Hargreaves) to contest the event in North Share from July 21-23. Redpath, a prominent colt, has won selection ahead of Barrie Matthews (Christchurch) and Lawrence Skurr (Old Boys), who were both in the team that went to Palmerston North last season. Matthews is unbeaten in six inter-club .matches this season but is a little unlucky to be playing in the No. 3 spet for Christchurch A, where he does not meet many other leading players. His last chance to win selection was spoilt by an untimely illness during the Linw’oad open ever Queen’s Birthday week-end. Skurr’s form has been even more up-and-down than usual this season and, although at best he is a very fine player, his omission does not really surprise. Redpath played a little indifferently at the start of this season and was decisively beaten by Matthews. However, once recovered from his ankle injury the Lincoln College student has been in fine touch and looked good during the Linwood tournament. Back in the team after his surprise exclusion lapt season is the experienced High School Old Boys player and 1975 South Island

champion. Barry McNeil, who played particularly well during the recent Canterbury championships.

The team will be headed by ■ the brilliant young Christchurch! player, Rod Hayes, who will receive sound support in the “gutsy” Burnside man. Lyn Sparks, and the promising Pau! McFadrien (Christchurch), who was assured of selection after his creditable win in the IJnwood tournament.

The women’s team (in alphabetical order; of Kathy Graham (Burnside), Merle Holland (Sumner), Phillipa Lush (Christchurch) Joanne MUne (Sumner) and Ros Stanton (Old Boys) was totally predictable after the Linwood tournament.

Ail but Miss Milne were in the previous team and thia junior of considerable talent, is back in the side after being unavailable iast year. Sh e upset predictions by eliminating Mrs Graham in the semi-finals of the Linwood open and then took Mrs Holland, the full distance in the final. .Bette King (Old Boys) and Lyn Chamberlain (Burnside), who had a surprise win over Miss Lush in a recent inter-club match, must also have received the consideration of the selectors.