Champions crowned at
Masters Nationals
The crowds at SquashGym Palmerston North were treated to an
absolute feast of squash today, as the Masters National
Championships wrapped up for another year.
15 age group champions were crowned today. Almost all have
tasted success at national masters level before, and were
adding titles to already bulging resumes.
None more so than Kathryn McKay of the Whakatane Squash
Club, who brought up a milestone tenth national title in
beating Sue Wasley (Burnside) in the women's 50-54 age
group. Christchurch's Lawrence Skurr is not far behind,
picking up his eighth title in beating clubmate and
long-time sparring partner Wayne Seebeck for the men's 60-64
title.
Trevor Coulter backed up his success at the World Masters
Squash Championships in July, where he won the 80+
championship, by winning the 75+ title. Diana Bennett of the
Devonport Club picked up a national title in her first ever
Masters National Championships, beating Inglewood's Pauline
Stachurski by a nail-biting 15-13 scoreline in the fifth and
deciding set.
Mike McSherry kept the locals happy by winning the men's
45-49 title. The long time SquashGym Palmerston North member
was pushed extremely hard by Marlborough's Grant Craig, who
took an elongated first set 19-17. From there McSherry
fought back to clinch the match 3/1, but not without a great
deal of difficulty.
The headline act was the women's 35-39 age group final
played between ex-NZ senior representatives Sarah Cook and
Tamsyn Leevey. Showing all of the class that saw both women
achieve top 25 world rankings in their pomp, the crowd was
treated to some dazzling strokeplay. While Leevey was able
to get on the right end of three close games, Cook was
perhaps harshly treated by the 3/0 scoreline. The crowd were
certainly hoping for a fightback to extend the spectacle,
but went home satisfied nonetheless.
Mike McSherry, Lisa Cowlard, Kathryn McKay and Freda Walker
underlined their fondness for Palmerston North - all won age
group titles in 2005 when the Masters National Champs were
last held in the city. Dan Mossenson was the only first time
winner, tripping across the Tasman to take out the men's
65-69 title.
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New Zealand Masters Nationals 2014 -
Final Results
Men's 35-39: (1) Shaun Madden bt (2) Eugene Black
15-5, 15-6, 15-13
Women's 35-39: (2) Tamsyn Leevey bt (1) Sarah Cook
15-13, 16-14, 15-12
Men's 40-44: (1) Scott Gardiner bt (3) Paul Bedford
15-10, 15-5, 15-7
Women's 40-44: (1) Lisa Cowlard bt (3) Becky Clarke
15-12, 15-9, 15-6
Men's 45-49: (1) Mike McSherry bt (3) Grant Craig
17-19, 15-10, 15-12, 15-12
Women's 45-49: (1) Mandy Kennedy bt (2) Vicki Beker
14-16, 15-11, 13-15, 15-12, 15-9
Men's 50-54: (1) Mark Millar bt (3) Mark Roberts
15-12, 15-6, 15-9
Women's 50-54: (1) Kathryn McKay bt (2) Sue Wasley
15-10, 17-15, 15-11
Men's 55-59: (1) Mark Waldin bt (2) Marty McKelvie
15-3, 16-14, 15-12
Women's 55-59: (1) Karen Walton bt (2) Ann Harliwich
15-11, 10-15, 15-13, 15-7
Men's 60-64: (1) Lawrence Skurr bt (2) Wayne Seebeck
15-10, 10-15, 17-15, 15-7
Women's 60-64: (1) Freda Walker bt (2) Judith Smith
15-7, 15-3, 15-4
Men's 65-69: Won by Dan Mossenson (Aus) (round-robin)
Women's 65+: (2) Diana Bennett bt (1) Pauline Stachurski
15-12, 15-9, 9-15, 9-15, 15-13
Men's 75+: Won by Trevor Coulter (round-robin)
Full results (login required) |
New
Zealand Masters 2014