Norman, Blackwood squash champions

Press, 16 September 1982, Page 6

Norman, Blackwood squash champions

PA ’ Hamilton Ross Norman. and Robyn Blackwood, both of Auckland, won their first national squash titles at the Le Coq Sportif championships in Hamilton yesterday. Norman, playing in his fourth successive final, broke through for the elusive first win when he beat Stuart Davenport, of Wellington. 9-5. 9-3,. 9-1. Norman stuck strictly to his pre-game tactics of playing error free squash down the side walls, and the plan worked to perfection. Davenport was forced into uncharacteristic errors as he tried to make winning shots to end the long rallies. Despite the one-sided scoreline there was still some fine squash, from the 19-year-old Khandallah club member, but it was no match for Norman's methodical professionalism. The convincing win more than made up for Norman's losses to the Australian, Frank Donnelly, in 1979 and 1980, and New Zealand’s world No. 6. Bruce Brownlee, last year.

Miss Blackwood had more of a fight on her hands, from Hamilton's brilliant 18-year-old Susan Devoy, winning in four closefought games. After trailing in the first. Miss Blackwood (North Shore) came through, to win, 9-5, but Miss Devoy struck back to win the second in the same score. When the pressure went on, the cool head of Miss Blackwood, ranked eighth jn the world, was the decisive factor. Miss Devoy hit a” string of crucial shots into the tin to allow Miss Blackwood to wrap up the match, 5-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-7: Final results.— /Sf Men’s championship:' R. Norman .(Panmure) beat<S. Davenport : (Khandallah) ; 9-5;- 9-3, 9-1. Third and fourth: R. Hayes (Christchurch) beat C< Blackwood (Panmure) 7-9, j. •,-9-2, 9-2, default.

Women’s championship: R. Blackwood (North Shore) beat S. Devoy (Hamilton) 9-5,'/5-9. 9-6, 97. Third and fourth: M. Milne (Sumner) beat J. Webster (North Shore) 9-5. 9-3, 9-6,