Craig Claims WA Title

New Zealand’s Megan Craig notched up her second WA title in three years after beating Canberra’s Christine Nunn in the women’s final. 

Twelve months on from a controversial exit at the City of Perth West Australian Open, Marlborough's Megan Craig has returned to the squash tournament and been crowned champion.

Craig beat Canberra's Christine Nunn in the women's final on Sunday for her second victory in three years at the tournament in Perth. The wins book-ending a disappointing exit in 2014.

Last year Craig was tied at a set each and leading 7-3 in third of her semifinal with Australian Sarah Cardwell, when she lobbed the ball back to her opponent to serve. Cardwell put her hand up to catch the ball but missed it and it struck her face.

She took a short injury break, saying the ball had hit her eye, and was about to restart when the match referee reminded her she could take a 15-minute break if she desired, as he deemed the accidental injury had been caused by her opponent.

Cardwell then left the court and never came back. After 15 minutes had elapsed the referee was forced to make a ruling and declared Cardwell the victor.

Craig was angered by the ruling at the time and so to return to the event and triumph at its next staging was rewarding for the Marlborough 22-year-old.

"It is good to leave Western Australia on a positive note after last year, that's for sure," Craig said.

"I am stoked to bring the trophy home this year after a really good final. We both ran far too much, so we had some great rallies."

The final against Christine Nunn was an entertaining affair, with the top-seeded Kiwi eventually running out the winner 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9. In the semifinal she beat upcoming Aussie teenager Lakeesha Rarere.

Third seeded Australian Joshua Larkin beat unheralded Korean 19-year-old, Ko Youngjo, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 in the men's final.

A busy period of play continues for Craig next week when she contests the New Zealand International Squash Classic in Palmerston North, a 10k Women's Squash Association fixture, starting on Thursday. Following that will be the Christchurch International Open, then the New Zealand Southern Open held in Invercargill later in June.