Masters finalists decided

The finalists for the 2014 Masters National Championships have been decided in Palmerston North today.

In a long and gruelling day of squash, many tight matches were contested in the quarter- and semi-finals.  Particularly torrid was the men's 35-39 semi-final played between Eugene Black (Whakatane) and Neil Rossin (Henderson).  Lasting well over an hour and a quarter, second seeded Black eventually prevailed over third seeded Rossin 15-10 20-22 10-15 15-9 15-8.  The exhausting nature of the rallies played throughout the match had clearly begun to take their toll on the two players by the fifth set, when the rallies shortened noticeably in the decider with many skilfull winners played.  Black's reward is a showdown with top seed and defending champion Shaun Madden (Invercargill) in the final tomorrow.

Another tight match to catch the eye was the women's 40-44 semi-final between Fiona Rouse and Becky Clarke.  Former-NZ rep Rouse had the higher seeding (two vs three), but Clarke's exploits at this year's World Masters Championships in Hong Kong (where she finished runner-up) could not be discounted.  Ultimately it was Clarke who prevailed 15-12 15-9 12-15 16-14, in a match that left the large crowd amazed at the standard of squash on display.

Mike McSherry remains the top local hope, through to the final of the men's 45-49 age group with a convincing 15-12 15-9 15-10 victory of Canterbury's Nigel Lloyd.  He will face another Cantab in the final - the winner of Grant Craig vs Jason Oxenham.

One title has already been decided, with Trevor Coulter adding the men's 75+ national title to the 80+ world title he won in Hong Kong earlier in the year.

Finals begin on Sunday from 11.30am at SquashGym Palmerston North.  Spectators are welcome, and entry is free.

Tomorrow's Finalists

Men's 35-39: (1) Shaun Madden vs (2) Eugene Black
Women's 35-39: (1) Sarah Cook vs (2) Tamsyn Leevey
Men's 40-44: (1) Scott Gardiner vs (3) Paul Bedford
Women's 40-44: (1) Lisa Cowlard vs (3) Becky Clarke
Men's 45-49: (1) Mike McSherry vs (3) Grant Craig
Women's 45-49: (1) Mandy Kennedy vs (2) Vicki Beker
Men's 50-54: (1) Mark Millar vs (3) Mark Roberts
Women's 50-54: (1) Kathryn McKay vs (2) Sue Wasley
Men's 55-59: (1) Mark Waldin vs (2) Marty McKelvie
Women's 55-59: (1) Karen Walton vs (2) Ann Harliwich
Men's 60-64: (1) Lawrence Skurr vs (2) Wayne Seebeck
Women's 60-64: (1) Freda Walker vs (2) Judith Smith
Men's 65-69: Won by Dan Mossenson (Aus) (round-robin)
Women's 65+: (1) Pauline Stachurski vs (2) Diana Bennett
Men's 75+: Won byTrevor Coulter (round-robin)

Full Results

http://www.squash.org.nz/sit/live/tournament/event/1013215