Squash: Undefeated Kamo claim national title

Resplendent in pink, the Kamo Rugby & Squash Club won the national D grade ladies squash title. Pink was the official colour of the Women's Year Of Squash celebrations and Kamo embraced it with their supporters choosing to go pink as well.

The New Zealand D Grade Superchamps competition was played in Hamilton in two pools and Kamo began with a narrow 3-2 win over Taupo last Wednesday.

On Thursday, Kamo beat the hosts 4-1 - although the win was not as easy as the score would suggest - and then outclassed Hawke's Bay 5-0.

Kamo topped their pool and in Friday's crossover game recorded another 5-0 win over Palmerston North, who were second in the other pool. That set up a rematch with Hamilton in the final.

Tracey Klaricich got Kamo off to a good start with a relatively comfortable win before Hamilton came back to grab the lead with two wins. Mackenzie Johnson went 2-0 down in her match but fought back to win in five sets and the Kamo team breathed again.

Level at 2-2, it all fell to stalwart Catherine Powdrell, who came through in four sets for a famous victory.

Coach Annie Greene said the win was huge bearing in mind they lost their No 1 Cheryl Baker a week out from the competition due to a calf tear.

"Everyone had to step up one position, which was a huge ask. It was truly a team effort during the entire week of competition and everyone played their part, shining at the right time."

The winning Kamo team was: Cheryl Baker, Olivia Brookland, Bridget Johnson, Tracey Klaricich, Mackenzie Johnson, Catherine Powdrell, Vanessa Jennings, Megan Turner (player-manager), Annie Greene (coach).