Squash to Aust. women

Press, 8 October 1977, Page 56

Squash to Aust. women

PA Auckland Margaret Zachariah, whom Australians claim to be the top woman amateur squash player in the world, showed her skills and oncourt ruthlessness when she took only 19 minutes to beat Annette Owen in the contest against the New Zealand under-23 side last night. Miss Zachariah, the Australian champion, won 9-4, 9-1, 9-1, to lead the touring Australian team to a 4-0 victory at the University sports complex. There were hopes of an upset win for the Sumner 17-year-old, Joanne Milne, as she won the first four points against the 19-year-old, Rhonda Shapland, and went close to taking the first game.

However, the Australian won the next six points, after being down, 0-4, in the first game. Then Miss Milne, going for her shots, reached 7-8 before dropping the last point.

The tight shots almost along the walls played by the Australian, which were continued in the second and third games, proved too much for the young Christchurch girl and she lost these games, 3-9, 1-9. Ros Stanton (Christchurch) lost to Vicky Hoffmann (Australia) 2-9, 3-9, 4-9, while Bev Kemp (North Shore) lost to Anne Smith (Australia), 3-9, 1-9, 1-9.