Squash: Shield hat-trick for Central

SHIELD TRIUMPH: Central Squash players (from left) Loni Martin, Kaitlyn Watts, Jackie Tapp, Jim Newbigin (Shield donor), Emily Nash, Danielle Fourie, Stephen Bennett, Rebecca Clifford, Kent Darlington (manager), Ben Calvert, David Greer, Rod Bannister, Min Bristol and Jason van der Walt after winning the Newbigin Shield for the third time.

The Central Squash senior representative team retained the Newbigin Shield for a third year on end last weekend after they took on Squash Eastern in Hastings at its annual event.

After a lengthy absence, the shield has been contested since 2012.

It is highly sought after, having been played for between the two neighbours for over 40 years.

It was originally donated by Jim Newbigin in 1971. He was a leading figure in the establishment of squash in Hawkes Bay, but also spent some early years in Palmerston North.

On paper the weekend clash looked like it would be a close tussle, however with Central's women dominating (winning all 12 matches) and the men picking up some impressive wins, Central were the victors by 18 matches to 6.

The concept sees teams of six men and women play their counterparts with each player having two games in the one day (ie the number 1 and 2 play both 1 and 2 in the opposing district team, and so on down the order).

All the women played well and to come away with 12 wins was very impressive. Taihape's duo of Jackie Tapp and Loni Martin, who was making her debut, along with Palmerston North's Emily Nash, all won after solid battles.

Palmerston North's other three players Danielle Fourie, Kaitlyn Watts and Rebecca Clifford, all won comfortably without dropping a set.

The men had a number of battles on their hands all the way through the order. Wanganui's Rod Bannister (NZ and Australia Masters champ) competed well against Squash Eastern's top two players. He defeated their No2 and only went down in four sets to Cameron Jamieson, Eastern's sharp No1.

The highlight performance of the day, however, came from Hawera's Stephen Bennett who had two wins, one a gutsy 3/2 triumph over the higher graded Bryce Redman after being down 2-1. That has now pushed him into A grade for the first time, the first for a Taranaki player in a while.

Taihape's Min Bristol, also debuting, impressed in dishing out some solid squash to beat his two higher graded opponents.

The Central High performance squad will now look forward to the Central Open on July 11-13 in New Plymouth. It will be then up to the selectors to name its team for the one-day clash against Squash Wellington on August 3 and then the New Zealand Nationals, individuals and teams event from August 20-24 in Auckland.