Squash: Bannister impresses at squash series opener

Wanganui Squash Photo/File

Wanganui's Rod Bannister had a good start to the Inspire Net Premier Squash Series but his Doyles Accountants team still went down to the Inspire Net team 2-1 in Palmerston North on Wednesday night.

Bannister came back from dropping the first set to beat current New Zealand Junior representative Luke Jones 7-11 11-7 11-5 11-9, but his teammates were beaten in tight games.

Jones is scheduled to head to the World Junior Championships in Namibia next week.

In other team match-ups, Higgins beat GSA Design 2-1 and More FM defeated MacDougalls 2-1.

The six-team series, featuring most of the Central Region's top 30 players, will be played weekly over five rounds through to finals night on September 11.

Teams of three play up to the best of five games, at a point of rally, with each game going up to 11 points.

Results

Inspire Net bt Doyles Accountants 2-1.

Luke Jones lost to Rod Bannister 11-7 7-11 5-11 9-11; David Greer bt Min Bristol 11-9 4-11 11-9 11-7; Brent Foster bt Cameron Foster 11-7 6-11 11-8 2-11 11-9.

Higgins bt GSA Design 2-1.

Victor Romero bt Corbin Faint 11-6 11-13 11-5 11-5; Becky Barnett bt Brandon Keenan 12-10 6-11 11-6 9-11 12-10; Geoff Spencer lost to Mark Gunning 9-11 11-9 9-11 6-11.

More FM bt MacDougalls 2-1.

Ben Calvert bt Stephen Bennett 11-6 16-18 11-8, 11-7; Danielle Fourie bt Blake Koolan by default; Daniel Foster lost to Taylor Leabourne 14-16 11-13 7-11.