N.Z., Aust. to clash

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 4

N.Z., Aust. to clash

PA Auckland Neither New Zealand nor Australia lost a game last evening in their third round matches in the world women’s teams squash championships. New Zealand beat Scotland, 3-0, while Australia defeated Sweden by a similar margin. The results set up a clash on Sunday when New Zealand and Australia meet to decide the pool winners. Last evening, the world champion, Susan Devoy, did not show her customary dominance. She beat the Scotland No. 1, Alison Cruickshank, 97, 9-7, 10-8. Devoy did not play hard until midway through each of the first two games. In the third, Cruickshank led, 8-1, but Devoy, with a series of drops and powerful drives and volleys, regained the initiative and completed her three-game victory. The New Zealand No. 2, Joanne Williams was again in good form, comfortably beatng Shirley Brown, 9-4, 9U, 96. Donna Gurran, the New

Zealand No. 3, won the first games, 9-6, 9-7 against Joan Sutherland. The Scot, with some fine attacking shots, forced many errors from the New Zealander, taking the next two games 9-6. In the fifth Gurran showed the dominance she had produced in the early games. Sutherland led, 2-0, but Gurran took the next nine points to clinch victory. Earlier yesterday, New Zealand beat Sweden, 3-0, in the second round of the championships, in spite of resting the world champion, Susan Devoy. Making her debut for New Zealand was Cheryl Te Kant, aged 28, of Rotorua. She beat the Swedish champion, Lena Friden, 9-4, 0-9, 9-3, 9-2. Williams, playing at No 1, made short work of her contest against Eva Svenby who had reached the last six in the world junior championships earlier in the year. Williams won 9-2, 9-1, 9-0. Gurran conceded only three points in beating the 1985 Swedish champion, Tinna Backiund.