Hayes gains series lead although beaten

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 39

Hayes gains series lead although beaten

Even though Rod Hayes, of Auckland, was the beaten finalist in the Wellington Open at the week-end, he has taken over the lead in the Adidas championship squash series. Hayes was beaten by Anthony McMurtrie (Hamilton), 9-5, 9-2, 9-0, but gained sufficient points to move past both John Mills and Paul Viggers, who are playing in Australia at present. By virtue of the Wellington Open win, his first on the 1985 national circuit, McMurtrie has moved up from eighth to sixth position. The women’s points leader is still the Australian professional, Rae Anderson, who has become the first player to top the 1000 mark in the championship series. Susan Devoy has played only two tournaments on the circuit, but has won both and she is already in sixth position. In

the Wellington Open final she beat Anderson in straight games, 9-4, 9-1, 9-1. Four qualifying tournaments remain in the championship, the next being the Central Open at Kawaroa Park, New Plymouth, this week-end. The grand finals will be held at Khandallah from August 25 to 27. The points leaders are:Men:‘ R. W. Hayes (Manurewa), 7 tournaments played, 822 points, 1; J. Mills (Henderson), 4, 754, 2; P. T. Viggers (Sumner), 4, 754, 3; H. Leabourn (Remuera), 7, 636, 4; S. Cunningham (College Rifles), 7, 592, 5; A. McMurtrie (Hamilton), 5, 566, 6; D. McQueen (Geyser City), 4, 504, 7; T. Griffin (Hamilton), 7, 466, 8; R. Wyatt (Geyser City), 7, 442, 9; R. Watt (Hamilton), 5, 260,10. W'omen: R. Anderson (Australia), 6, 1014, 1; R. Blackwood (North Shore), 5, 890, 2; J.

Oakley (Henderson), 6, 614, 3; J. Burgess (Remuera), 6, 592, 4; D. Gurram (Remuera), 5, 586, 5; S. Devoy (Hamilton), 2, 400, 6; C. Te Kani (Geyser City), 5, 372, 7; P. Doddrell (Thames), 6, 370, 8; C. Viggers (Mount Pleasant), 4, 242, 9; K. Collins (Manurewa), 3, 174, 10.