Pair increase squash lead

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 29

Pair increase squash lead

Anthony McMurtrie (Hamilton) and Joanne Williams (Auckland) have increased their points leads in the tournament players’ championship squash series, after five of the 12 events. In the Canterbury Open in Christchurch at the week-end McMurtrie easily won the men’s title, and Williams was runner-up to Susan Devoy (Auckland) in the women’s event. After only two tournaments, Devoy is already in fourth place on the women’s list behind Williams, the American hard ball player, Alicia McConnell, and Donna Gurran (Auckland). Devoy will also contest the Auckland and Wellington championships, two other circuit tournaments, later this month. The world-ranked Australian, Liz Irving, will also take part. Meanwhile as a result of his praiseworthy performance in finishing third in the Canterbury Open the Christchurch player, Robbie Burnett, has moved from thirteenth to eighth place on the

men’s list. At the conclusion of the 12match qualifying series the eight best men and women will be invited to take part in the grand finals at the Khandallah club. The standings are:— Men.— A. McMurtrie (Hamilton), 5 tournaments played, 930 points, 1; S. Cunningham (College Rifles), 5, 598, 2; P. Viggers (Sumner), 3, 480, 3; R. Hayes (Manurewa), 4, 390, 4; L. Cooper (Ponsonby), 4, 364, 5; R. Watt (Hamilton), 3, 360, 6; J. Mills (Henderson), 2, 290, 7; R. Burnett (Lancaster Park), 3, 224, 8; P. Rice (Wales and Royal Oak), 4, 210, 9; H. Leabourn (Remuera), 3, 200, 10. Women. — J. Williams (Eden-Epsom), 4, 760, 1; A. McConnell (U.S.A.), 5, 650, 2; D. Gurran (Remuera), 4, 590, 3; S. Devoy (Hamilton), 2, 450, 4; P. Doddrell (Henderson), 4, 288, 5; J. Burgess (Remuera), 3, 272, 6; J. Oakley (Henderson), 2, 260, 7; M. Pearson (Manurewa), 2, 174, 8; D. Shaw (North Shore), 3, 174, 9; E. Emmanuel (Geyser City), 3, 160, 10.