Gribben in squash upset

Press, 11 September 1989, Page 24

Gribben in squash upset

A former Dunedin City national soccer league striker, Mark Gribben, showed at the Honda national squash championships in Christchurch yesterday why he concentrates on the racket sport these days. Gribben's 9-8, 9-3, 9-5 thirdround win over the fourthseeded Michael McSherry (Kaikohe) was the upset of the tournament, taking him into the last eight for the first time at a nationals.

The lanky (1.90 m Dunedin police constable, seeded only No. 13, played the game of his life, supported by some vociferous fellow Southern Districts team-members in the gallery. He made the most of his long reach to cut the ball off and his volleying kept the young Northlandman back and blunted his attacking weapons. By doing that, Gribben said, McSherry "doesn’t get as much time to play all his fancy shots.” “I had to hang in there and move him around the. court a bit,” Gribben said. After two losses to McSherry previously this season his-plan was to drag him into long rallies and hope he would be frustrated when his best shots were returned. Indeed, towards the end a slightly lethargic-looking McSherry made a string of unforced errors. Afterwards his comment was brief and to the point: “He was too good.” Another leading seed to be toppled in the third round of the men’s open was the No. 7 ranked Robert Wyatt (Geyser City), beaten in an entertaining five-setter by a former championship runner-up, Paul Viggers (Christchurch), seeded tenth.

In the course of his 9-10, 9-4, 9-0, 5-9, 9-1 victory on the Christchurch Squash Rackets Club’s glass-back court; Viggers produced what will be the most spectacular winning return of his life.

Viggers held game ball in the third when a long rally developed, both players covering a lot of court. Finally, Viggers crashed into the back wall to return a deep shot; and the glass support completely shattered. But the ball was up and the game Viggers’. The match had to be transferred to another court while a temporary wooden support was put in place and Viggers eventually .prevailed in five. It was a good win for the Canterbury player, marked by some of his

lovely touches — and a lot of running which brought some grimaces of pain. In the women’s open, Susan Devoy has conceded only 12 points in three contests, disposing of a hardworking Dianne Ellis (Invercargill), 9-3, 9-1, 9-0 in 15min yesterday. It has been a busy week-end for Ellis who has played three opponents and been back to Invercargill to attend a wedding in between. The No. 2’ seed, Joanne Williams (Taihape), has been even more parsimonious, allowing her opponents a meagre 10 points so far. Results:—

Men’s open Third round: 1 — Stephen Cunningham (Geyser City) beat Michael Allred (Burnside), 9-0, 9-5, 9-3; 8 — Paul Steel (Whakatane), beat 9 — Hugh Leabourn (Remuera), 10-9, 9-6, 9-3; 5 — Danny McQueen (Geyser City) beat Shane Hagan (Island Bay), 6-9, 9-5, 9-4, 5-9, 9-4; 13 — Mark Gribben (Otago) beat 4 — Mike McSherry (Kaikohe), 9-8, 9-3, 95; 5 — Glen Wilson (Royal Oak) beat Michael Penman (Lancaster Park), 9-2, 9-1, 6-9, 9-7; 11 — Tony Fabling (Mitchell Park) beat Rex McDonald (Timaru), 9-0, 9-2, 9-7; 10 — Paul Viggers (Christchurch), beat 7 — Robert Wyatt (Geyser City) 9-10, 9-4, 9-0, 5-9, 9-1; 2— Scott Harrison (Ponsonby) beat Wayne Werder (Hamilton), 9-1, 9-4, 9-2. Women’s open Third round: 1 — Susan Devoy (Hamilton) beat D. Ellis (Invercargill), 9-3, 9-1, 9-0; 9 — Tania Robinson (Panmure) beat 8 — Judy Burgess (Remuera), 9-4, 96, 9-7; 5 — Fleur Townsend (Remuera) beat Jenny Bell (Lugton Park), 8-10, 10-9, 9-7, 97; 4 — Marie Pearson (Manurewa) beat 13 — Freda Walker (St Andrew’s), 9-2, 9-6, 9-1; 3 — Donna Newton (Remuera) beat Sarah Cook (Lancaster Park), 9-2, 9-0, 9-2; 11 — Philippa Beams (Christchurch) beat 6 — Kay Collins (Cambridge), 9-7, 3-9, 9-1, 9-2; 7 - Justine Marriott (Sumner) beat 10 — Debra Shaw (Kaitaia), 5-9,

9-4, 9-3, 2-9, 9-4; 2— Joanne Williams (Taihape) beat Jenny Norton (Otago), 9-1, 9-1, 9-4. Quarter-final matchings today:

Men: Cunningham v. Steel, McQueen v. Gribben, Wilson v. Fabling, Viggers v. Harrison. Women: Devoy v. Robinson, Townsend v. Pearson, Newton v. Beams, Marriott v. Williams.