Squash Blacks edge South Africa

The women's Squash Blacks have edged South Africa in a titanic clash at the World Women's Team Championships in Canada today.  If you didn't watch it, you can catch archived footage here.

After despatching the German team yesterday to progress to the 9th-12th playoff section, New Zealand today ensured that they will finish in the top ten in the world - no mean achievement given the the defection of their number one player Joelle King to an achilles tendon injury.

Coach Paul Hornsby was happy with the result: "We came today with a job to do, and I'm proud of the way the girls got it done.  We were disappointed to lose to Ireland on Wednesday.  As the ninth seeds at this event, making the quarter-finals was an obvious goal.  We missed out on that, so our new goal is to finish in ninth position.  It's not easy, the section of teams we find ourselves in is incredibly evenly-matched, but I am absolutely confident that if the girls play to their full potential they can do it".

The number ones were first on court, with NZ's Amanda Landers-Murphy facing a difficult task against South Africa's Siyoli Waters, ten places ahead of Landers-Murphy at 33 in the world.  The contrast in styles between the two players was marked: Landers-Murphy's southpaw stroke-playing prowess up against Waters' incredible consistency and stamina.  Landers-Murphy, however, showed she is no one-trick pony by grinding out the big points when she needed to to pull off one of the more impressive victories of her young career.  After splitting the first two sets, Landers-Murphy found a focus and level of play that was simply too much for the South African player, completing an 11-7 12-14 11-6 11-3 win in 48 minutes

Megan Craig then took the court for the Squash Blacks, up against Milnay Louw.  After playing every match in the Championships so far, Craig showed none of the soreness or stiffness in the glutes and other leg muscles that many other players would be suffering by now, and bounded around the court with the energy and vitality of a young labrador.  Louw, who has also had a tough championships, including a five set match yesterday, seemed to be worn down by Craig's unyeilding physicality.  The match, which began very closely, gradually swung towards Craig.  Louw was unable to continue, and her withdrawal after the second game sealed the tie for New Zealand.

The dead rubber was not played, meaning Kylie Lindsay was not given the unenviable task of sealing the deal for the Kiwis.

And so ended the tie, with New Zealand getting the better of South Africa.  The sporting rivalry that has for so long thrived between the two nations on the rugby and cricket fields is now showing signs of igniting on the squash court.  Long may it continue between two like-minded cultures, especially when played in the terrific spirit we saw today in Canada.

New Zealand will now play off against tenth seeded Wales in the playoff for ninth position, who edged a spirited Canadian team 2-1 in the corresponding match.  The match will be streamed live from 8.30am on Sunday morning (NZT).

Results

New Zealand (9) bt South Africa (12) 2-1

Amanda Landers-Murphy bt Siyoli Waters 11-7 12-14 11-6 11-3
Megan Craig bt Milnay Louw 11-9 11-4 retired

Full results: http://wwt2014squash.com/results/.