Far North players hold heads and rackets high
A strong contingent of local squash players representing Far North sister clubs of Kaitaia and Kerikeri contested the Whangarei Open tournament last Friday and Saturday among an 82-strong field which included players from Katikati, Auckland, Ngaruawahia and, naturally, those from all over Northland.
A total of nine Kaitaia travellers joined six from Kerikeri in what proved a busy two days of squash enjoyed by players at all levels. A report from the event noted that with a mixture of winners and runners-up, the Far Northern troops once again held their heads and rackets high having contested with the determination they are known for.
Among the standouts were Dan Clay, called into replace a player and had to play in a higher grade and was rewarded with being runner up in the special plate for the men's division 3; Nirelle McDonald - as always arriving with a car full of young enthusiastic players who camped in the club on the Friday night which also ensured they were not late for their games - bettering her seeding in her division after finishing runner up in the special plate for the women's open division; along with Vincent Robson of Kerikeri who finished runner up in the main event, the men's open final, to Ryan Chestnut after a hard fought five-setter.
The fine weekend weather did not appear to be a deterrent with organisers reporting that the turnout was up on previous years. Full results from the Whangarei Open squash tournament held at the Whangarei Squash Club on February 22 and 23 were as follows.
Men, open: Ryan Chestnut 1 Vincent Robson 2; special plate: Quenton Tana, plate: Sacha Pou Tito, consolation plate: Ari Welsh; Div 1: Bryce Phillips 1, Hamish Browne 2, special: Brent Lewis, plate: Murray Smith, consolation: Nicol Bekker; Div 2: Alan Inglis 1, Connor McMurchy 2, special: Angus McDonald, plate: Jason Parker, consolation: James Elliott; Div 3: Shane Vinac 1, Keegan Robbins 2, special: John Edwards, plate: Isaac van Praag Jarrett, consolation: Gary Saunders; Div 4: Adam Bowden 1, Shayden Toka 2, special: Ben Robbins plate: Ben Jagger, consolation: Phillip Bristow; Div 5: Chance Froggatt 1, River Taylor Moore 2, special: Ethan Clark, plate: Te Rongonui Tepania, consolation: Wai Pittman-Going.
Women, open: Linda Matson 1, Caitlin Foster 2, special: Nicola Pryor, plate: Bridget Johnson, consolation: Kelly Doidge; Div 1: MacKenzie Johnson 1, Lydwina Tasipale 2, special: Hayley Green, plate: Margaret McKenzie, consolation: Denise Guy; Div 2: Megan Turner 1, Denese Gallagher 2, special: Kerry Pellegrom, plate: Rochelle Bekker, consolation: Paula Guest; Div 3: Paige Browne 1, Taka Skipwith 2, special: Emma Ihaka, plate: Annette Maley, consolation: Gemma Turketo; Div 4: Tayla McDonald 1, Jasmine Beazley 2.
