30/07/09 COUSINS SHIELD / MITCHELL CUP 24-26 JULY 2009
COUSINS SHIELD / MITCHELL CUP PHOTOS
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The bragging rights have been decided for the next 12 month's following the annual battle for national squash club supremacy in Hamilton at the weekend.
Remuera can claim to have the strongest women's team in the country after taking out the Mitchell Cup while Palmerston North has similar claims in the men's ranks after winning the Cousins Shield.
Remuera's victory in the women's competition was reasonably clear cut, beating Hamilton 3-1 in the final. However, the host clubs chances were not helped by the absence of former world number one Leilani Rorani, who was unavailable to play on Sunday due to her religious beliefs.
Rebecca Borman gave Remuera the early advantage with a straight games victory over Nadine Cull before former New Zealand rep Lara Heta made it 2-0 to the Auckland club with a 3-0 win against Wanita Jackson. That left newly crowned Australian Open champion Joelle King needing to beat world number 16 Jaclyn Hawkes 3-0 to keep Hamilton in the tie. The world number 53 gave herself every chance, storming to a 2-0 lead, but couldn't close the gate and while King eventually won 3-2, it was not enough to prevent Remuera taking the title. Jackie Laurenson then capped off celebrations for the Auckland side, winning the dead rubber 3-0 against Kay Newman.
Meanwhile, the men's competition was a much tighter affair, with Palmerston North edging Remuera 3-2 in the title decider.
Once again Remuera was first on the board, with George Crosby beating Mike McSherry 3-0. But the Palmerston North team was not about to lie down and hand the Auckland club both titles. 18-year-old Joseph Watts levelled the tie with a 3-0 win over Scott Harrison before Josh Greenfield put them 2-1 ahead with a 3-2 victory over Graeme Wilson, fighting back from 8-3 down in the fifth.
That left Glenn Carson to wrap up the tie for the Central club, but inevitably there was to be another twist, with Carson beaten in a five game thriller by Izaac Williams. Palmerston North would not be denied their first Cousins Shield in 50 years though - Ant McLeod finally confirming the victory with a 3-1 win over Mark Dunwoodie in the decider.
Results...
Women's Final – Mitchell Cup
Remuera 3 Hamilton 1
Rebecca Borman 3-0 Nadine Cull 11/5 11/3 11/4
Lara Heta 3-0 Wanita Jackson 11/5 11/2 11/4
Jaclyn Hawkes 2-3 Joelle King 11/9 11/7 6/11 15/17 11/5
Jackie Laurenson 3-1 Kay Newman 11/6 5/11 11/9 11/6
Men's Final - Cousins Shield
Palmerston North 3 Remuera 2
Mike McSherry 1-3 George Crosby 11/6 10/12 11/6 11/5
Joseph Watts 3-0 Scott Harrison 11/8 12/10 11/8
Josh Greenfield 3-2 Graeme Wilson 7/11 8/11 11/9 11/7 11/8
Glenn Carson 2-3 Izaac Williams 11/5 10/12 6/11 11/6 11/9
Ant McLeod 3-1 Mark Dunwoodie 11/6 11/5 9/11 11/7
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01/05/09
ASB WAIKATO OPEN COURT BATTLES BEGIN!!!
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An intriguing battle of youth and experience is looming at the Waikato Squash Open in Hamilton this weekend. Three of New Zealand's rising stars and a star of the not-too distant past will be vying for the title in the women's open.
The top seed is 20-year-old Joelle King, who has risen as high as 44 in the world rankings this year, while second seeded Amanda Cranston is just 19-years-old. Cranston has been one of the big movers in the world rankings this year, climbing more than 80 places to a high of 86 in February. Completing a youthful looking trio is fourth seeded Lana Harrison, who at 17-years-of age is New Zealand's top ranked junior at 98 in the world.
The odd one out in the top four is former world number one Leilani Rorani. The 35-year-old retired from the world circuit in 2002, but still provides a stern challenge for the new brigade on the domestic circuit.
The men's open should also provide some interesting fireworks, with world number 61 Martin Knight the title favourite. Standing in his way is 62nd ranked compatriot Campbell Grayson, who was New Zealand's second highest ranked player behind Kashif Shuja until Knight overtook him last month. Both players are back home for a break from the PSA World Tour, but that is unlikely to diminish their determination to win should they meet in the final.
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Exhibition Match to show case our top players 3rd APRIL 6.30pm
Hamilton Squash & Tennis Club is holding an exhibition match to showcase the clubs top players.
The four players are Leilani Rorani,Joelle King, Allan Crome and Mike Corren, between them these playershave ranked up some awesome world and New Zealand rankings and titles. For example; Leilani Rorani – former world no 1, two time British Open Champion will play the up and coming Joelle King whose current world ranking is 42, Allan Crome formerly ranked amongst the top fifty in the world and was 3rd in New Zealand at time of his retirement and lastly Mike Corren who’s world ranking was 38 before a lengthy lay off due to injury, he has won 35 PSA titles.
Playing format as follows:
- Ladies Singles: Leilani Rorani vs Joelle King
- Men’s Singles: Allan Crome vs Mike Corren
- Mixed Doubles: Leilani/Allan vs Joelle/Mike
The evening will start at 6.30pm with a light meal and match.
Welcome to 2009!!
The Hamilton squash and Tennis B Grade tournament is fasting approaching so now is the perfect time dust of the racket and start training. Tournament dates are 27th Feb 09 - 1 March 09.
