Northland Masters Squash Champs 2016
Posted: 21/08/16
Two new champions were crowned following a weekend of Masters Squash at Kamo this weekend.
Third seeded Eugene Venter – new to the Whangarei Squash Club this season, and one of the busiest players on the local tournament scene – conquered Kaitaia’s defending champion Hongi Laing in an entertaining four set final match for the men’s trophy.
In the ladies draw the defending champ was also unseated, when top seeded Karen Braddock, of the Papakura Squash Club defeated Fiona Moselen in a close five set battle.
Whangarei’s Bryce Phillips played some of his better squash this season, first putting paid to top seed Nicol Bekker, before winning the Men’s Division Two final against Gary Traill.
The Ladies Second Division was very evenly matched, with Sharon McDonald winning her semi-final against Catherine Powdrell 17-15 in the fifth, and pipping Whangarei clubmate at the post 15-13 in their deciding fifth set of the final.
Simon Cauty from Mid Western proved to be fresh enough at the end of the weekend to claim a finals victory over Kobus Abrie in the Mens Third Division.
Elisha Smith stormed back from a short retirement from competitive squash, beating Whangarei’s Robyn Burkhardt in the Third Division ladies final.
The Men’s Fourth Division proved to be a battle of the Jons, with Mid Western’s Jon Kirk overcoming Mangakahia’s Jon Kirby in Sunday’s final.
Ceres Sharp had a great introduction to tournament play, winning her way to the Ladies Fourth Division final where she beat Kamo clubmate Rachel Herbert.
Rachel Stratton’s luck came soon after the tournament was completed, when she won the $200 lucky cash prize, kindly donated by Angus MacDonald.
Full Results:
Ladies Division One:
Winner Karen Braddock
Runner Up Fiona Moselen
Third Delwyn Houlihan
Consolation Plate Julie Geange
Ladies Division Two:
Winner Sharon McDonald
Runner UP Tracey Klaricich
Third Catherine Powdrell
Consolation Plate Michele Salmon
Ladies Division Three:
Winner Elisha Smith
Runner Up Robyn Burkhardt
Special Plate Jo Mason
Plate Julie Tulei
Consolation Plate Debbie Shepherd
Ladies Division Four
Winner Ceres Sharp
Runner Up Rachel Herbert
Third Rachael Stratton
Consolation Plate Shona Thomas
Men’s Division One:
Winner Eugene Venter
Runner Up Hongi Laing
Third Geoff Parker
Consolation Plate David Collins
Men’s Division Two:
Winner Bryce Phillips
Runner Up Gary Traill
Third Jerrie Coetzee
Consolation Plate Matt Nel
Men’s Division Three:
Winner Simon Cauty
Runner Up Kobus Abrie
Third JJ Stewart
Consolation Plate Gary Saunders
Men’s Division Four
Winner Jon Kirk
Runner Up Jon Kirby
Special Plate Wayne Brown
Plate Clarc Morris
Consolation Plate Willem Steenkamp
Chocolate Cake Raffle Kathryn Brown
Meat Raffle Gary Saunders
$200 Angus lucky players draw Rachel Stratton