Mills takes squash title after battle

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 3

Mills takes squash title after battle

John Mills, of Auckland, captured the South Island men’s open squash title for the first time after a long 68-minute battle with Danny McQueen, of Rotorua, in the final at Ashburton yesterday. Mills won, 9-7, 9-7, 1-9, 9-1.

By contrast the women’s final was all over in just 22min, a very fit looking Joanne Williams (Taihape) disposing of Cheryl Te Kani (Rotorua), 9-4, 9-0, 9-6. It was her third South Island title, and each time she has represented a different club. The big upset of the ?3000 Financial Planning Groupsponsored tournament came in the men’s semi-finals on

Saturday night when the top seed, Paul Viggers (Sumner), attempting the rare North Island-South Island double, was toppled by McQueen. Viggers, in a lack-lustre performance, managed a paltry four points.

He attributed his lack of spark to his concentrated training for the forthcoming New Zealand championships in Hamilton ana world championships in Egypt. For much of the men’s final there was little between the two players. The first two games could have gone either way. McQueen, who at times retrieved brilliantly, showed lovely touch in the air and very tight length to take the third game. But a more determined Mills always had the edge in the fourth. Both players complained several times about refereeing decisions in the marathon 30min first game. At their request Mr Lester Bowden, of Nelson, stepped down at the end of it.

He was replaced by another national referee, Mr Denis Winch, of Wellington, and he also did not find favour.

Williams was always in command in the women’s final, hitting to an excellent length and often forcing Te Kani to dig the ball out of the backhand corner. At the front of the court she was very deceptive. Results:— MEN Open.— Quarter-finals: P. Viggers (Sumner) beat R. Watt (Hamilton), 1-9, 9-1, 0-9, 9-5, 9-0; D. McQueen (Geyser City) beat R. Hayes (Manurewa), 4-9,10-8, 9-1, 4-9, 9-0; A. McMurtrie (Hamilton) beat S. Cunningham (College Rifles), 9-7, 9-3, 9-2; J. Mills (Henderson) beat R. Wyatt (Rotorua) 9-0, 10-8, 9-0. Semi-finals: McQueen beat Viggers, 9-0, 9-1, 9-3; Mills beat McMurtrie, 9-2, 9-1, 9-6. Final: Mills beat McQueen, 9-7, 9-7,1-9, 9-1.

Plate fltels.- Gastric aftfe: . Viggers belt McMirtrie. 9-4, 94, 9-4. Plate: D. Oakley (Collegians) beat C. Hibbert (Linwood), 9-1, 9-5, 9-2. Consolation plate: G. Wilson (Maidstoee) beat M. Smith (Taihape), 9-4 94, 9-4. Special plate: Cunningham beat Watt, 2-9, 7-9 9-2. 94. 9-5. Division one.— Final: S. Hagan (Khandallah) beat C. Boyle (Southern), 9-2, 9-4, 1-9, 10-8. Classic plate: R. McDonald (Timaru). Plate: J. Christensen (Sumner). Consolation plate: T. Cook (Christchurch Football) Special plate: M. Allred (BurnDivision two.— Final: D Preston (Christchurch) beat B Marriott (Sumner), 4-9, 9-4, 5-9, 9-1, 9-0. Classic plate: T. Robinson (Football). Plate: E. Post (Christchurch). Consolation plate: G. Hayes (Christchurch). Special plate: P. Johnston (Ashburton). Division three.— Final: G. Stratford (Ashburton Celtic) beat G. Armishaw (Christchurch), 2-9, 9-5, 9-2, 9-2. Classic plate: N. Taylor (Timaru). Plate: K. Aitcheson (Otago). Consolation plate: C. Lovelock (Ashburton). Special plate: K. Foster (Geraldine). Division four.— Final: B. Green (Ashburton) beat C. Robertson (Ashburton), 9-7, 910, 9-6, 9-2. Classic plate: D. Reid (Ashburton). Plate: S. Durry (Ashburton). Consolation

plate: T. Bald (Waimate). Special plate: B. Wvnn (Wigrttm). , L - WOMEN Open.- Quarter-fiMls: J. Willianis (Taihape) beat A. Coll (GreynOTth), 9-5, 9-0, 9-0; C. Viggers (Motnit Pleasant) beat J. Peed (Taihape), 9-1, 9-3, 9-4; F. Walker (Linwood) beat P. Doddreil (Thames), 9-1, 9-5. 109; C. Te Kani (Geyser City) beat S. Gowland (Timaru), 9-’7, 9-5, 9-0. Semi-finals: Williams beat Viggers, 9-1, 9-1. 9-2; Te Kani beat Walker, 9-6, 9-1,10-8. Final: Williams beat Te Kani 9-4, 9-0, 9-6. Plate finals: Classic plate: Viggers beat Walker, 9-7, 9-3 9-2. Plate: D. Smith (Taihape) beat R. Toia (Suburbs), 9-2, 9-3, 7-9, 9-5. Consolation plate: R. Marsden (Geraldine) beat R. Young (Suburbs), 10-8, 3-9, 9-3, 9-3. Special plate: Peed beat Doddreil, 3-9, 9-2, 9-3, 0-9. 9-7. Division one.— Final: J. Norton (Otago) beat B. Graham (Southern), 9-3, 9-1, 9-4. Classic plate: V. Hillman (Greymouth). Plate: L. Maconie (Timaru). Consolation plate: H. McConnell (Ashburton). Special plate: D. Ellis (Invercargill). Division two.— Final: A. Paenga (Lincoln) beat C. Milne (Ashburton), 2-9, 10-8, 9-6, 9-5 Classic plate: J. Stratford (Ashburton Celtic). Plate: J. Hodgkinson (Lincoln). Consolation plate: K. Reeve (Otago). Special plate: D. Bremmers (Lancaster Park).