Wellington, Central take teams event titles

Wellington and Central have taken out the teams event titles at North Shore Squash Club today.

Wellington were the top seeds and favourites in the men's, and up against third seeds Auckland in the final.  The number four strings players took the court first, and Wellington's Willie Bicknell got the tie off to a great start for his team by beating young up and comer Sion Wiggin three games to love.  Wiggin's fitness and physicality occasionally looked to be too much for Bicknell, but the veteran Wellingtonian drew on his vast reserves of experience and courage to come through with a win.  Next on court Michael Pittams defeated Michael Sunderland to give Wellington a 2-0 advantage. 

It was all against Auckland at this stage, with Lance Beddoes needing to beat Martin Knight convincingly to keep the tie alive.  Beddoes started well, moving Knight to all corners with an exciting array of deceptive shots to take the first two games.  Knight's professionalism and pride then shone through as he clawed back the lead and sealed the tie for Wellington.  Last on court, Auckland's Andre Wagenaar pegged one back by beating Sam Atkins in a marathon five set match.

Central were also given an excellent start by young Kaitlyn Watts, who continued her excellent form this week with a win over Auckland's Sue Kim.  Seeded 29th in the individuals, Watts finished up in 17th position, and continued that form throughout the teams event to underline her status as one of NZ's most exciting young talents.  Danielle Fourie then accounted for Abbie Palmer to double Central's advantage.  The battle of the number ones was a tight one, Rebecca Barnett defeating Ellie Epke in a gruelling and pulsating four set match to seal Central's first women's title in the history of the event.  Auckland then pulled one back in a dead rubber, with Lisa Cowlard defeating Jackie Tapp.

You can view live streamed action of both finals here.

Final Results

Men

Wellington bt Auckland 3/1

Martin Knight bt Lance Beddoes 7-11 9-11 11-1 11-6 11-5
Michael Pittams bt Michael Sunderland 11-8 11-2 11-5
Sam Atkins lost to Andre Wagenaar 11-6 7-11 8-11 11-6 5-11
Willie Bicknell bt Sion Wiggin 11-9 11-7 11-3

Women

Central bt Auckland 3/1

Rebecca Barnett bt Ellie Epke 11-6 11-6 12-14 12-10
Danielle Fourie bt Abbie Palmer 11-7 11-7 11-8
Jackie Tapp lost to Lisa Cowlard 8-11 11-5 8-11 3-11
Kaitlyn Watts bt Sue Kim 9-11 11-5 11-4 11-6

Finishing Positions

Men

1. Wellington
2. Auckland
3. Canterbury
4. BOP
5. Central
6. Waikato
7. Eastern

Did not attend: Northland, Midlands, Otago, Southland.

Women

1. Central
2. Auckland
3. Canterbury
4. Waikato
5. Northland
6. BOP
7. Wellington

Did not attend: Eastern, Midlands, Otago, Southland.