A rematch between two of Northland's top squash players is likely to be one of the highlights of the Northland Residentials at Whangarei Squash Club this weekend.
Brent Lewis has been the top A Grade player in the region for some time but was beaten by clubmate Tate Matson at the
Auckland Open in Remuera last month.
It was the first win for Matson in several matches and one he will be looking to repeat in the A Grade final tomorrow.
Matson, who beat Lewis' younger brother Scott in the final of the Mangakahia Open last weekend, has momentum on his side but spectators can expect Lewis to defend his title with vigour.
The pair are the only two A graders to enter this year but competition in the lower grades - both for men and women - will make up for the lack of it in the top level.
More than 50 players will compete for the Northland title in each of the B, C, D, E, F and J or junior grades. The competition started last night, and continues tonight with the semifinals, and finals tomorrow.
"Basically, what it means is that we find the best player in the region for each grade. Most tournaments have a normal draw, with people playing across the grades, but with the residentials you just play in your grades," tournament organiser Jared Gravatt said.
One of the top B Grade women competitors, Linda Matson, said the tournament gave players a chance to compete at their level of ability.
The Mangakahia Club initiated the tournament in its current form and hosted it for a number of years in the mid-1990s and then it passed to the Mid Western club.
"They [Mid Western] made it an outstanding success over the past five years and there's been talk that the tournament will be passed around more from club to club from now on," she said.
