2015 Cousins Shield and Mitchell Cup Champs Crowned

Remuera clinch win for the Mitchell Cup and Squashways make it 2 in a row.

Royal Oak and Remuera were the first ones up to try and take out the 2015 Mitchell Cup title. Royal Oak managed to get the first win on the board for the team with Jo Shanks taking out Priscilla Wildsmith 3-0. Rebecca Borman managed to level the playing field for Remuera and bought the match score back to 1-1. Amanda Landers-Murphy had some tough battles to get her win over Ellie Epke but she showed that international experience can come in handy taking the win in 3. Jackie Lawrensn wasn't going to let Remueras hopes of a title fade away and she took out Tracey Kimble in 3. The pressure fell on the number 5's to perform, unfortunately Nicki Blake was not able to match Tanya Laurence's experience and went down in 3 seeing Remuera bring home the title. 

Thorndon and Squashways faced off for the 2015 Cousins Shield title. The matches started off with Evan Williams and Matty Hopkins. Both players fought tooth and nail to get the first point for their teams but Williams got the edge and Thorndon got the first point. Chris Van Der Salm came out in the second and was fired up for Squashways, whilst Sam Atkins threw all he could into the match and the score was levelled and Squashways was back in it 1-1. The number ones came onto court and Paul Coll and Harinder Singh were going to make sure they got that win for their club. Points were exchanged and both players kept covering many miles on the court. 10-10 in the fifth it was going to be anyones games, but Singh edged forward winning 13-11 in the fifth. Next up was Richard Pittams and Oliver Johnston. Oliver managed to send it top the fifth taking the win from Richard in 4. Everything was left to the number 5's Ed Dromgool from Thorndon and Johnny Barnett from Squashways. Johnny took an early lead in the first, but in the second Ed looked like he was going to even the score before Johnny fought his way back to take the lead 2-0. Ed couldn't manage to make it across the win and the Squashways boys have celebrated their second year as Cousins Shield winners.

In the remaining matches of the Cousins Shield, Royal Oak had the morning off after their loss the previous day. Hamilton 1 and 2 both fought it out between themselves for who would have bragging rights over the bar in the coming year. The Hamilton 1 boys took the glory 5-0 and will be sure to show off around the club for the remainder of the year. The Mangakahia locals came out firing and managed to claim the win from the Belmont Park team of juniors 3-2 with the experience the junior team will have gained being invaluable. Henderson and Cromwell went blow for blow in the their matches but Henderson snuck away with the win with both teams leaving everything on court, with Henderson clinching the win. Devoy and Remuera battled from the outset but Remuera took the early lead 2-0. Ben Grindrod looked set to turn the matches Devoys ways but it wasn't enough for the team with the final score being 3-1. North Shore and Herne Bay fought right down to the end. Herne Bay may have thought they had third place secured when they won the first 2 matches however North Shore fought back to take it to the number 5's to decide. Gary Duberly and Bryce Redman battled right down to the final point but it ended up being Redmans night with Duberly running out of puff in the fifth.

In the remaining matches of the Mitchell Cup it was a tough battle between the locals Whangarei and the Bay of Plenty team from Devoy. After Devoys lost yesterday they came out firing and took the win 4-1 from the locals. North Shore wanted to avenge themselves after having not made the final again this year but the Mount was always going to put up a fight. The girls managed to seal the win in the first 3 but with some tense moments along the way, Anna hughes getting the sole win for the Mount team. 

Full results can be found on our Facebook page here

Final Placings

Cousins Shield

1st - Squashways

2nd - Thorndon

3rd - Herne Bay

4th - North Shore

5th - Remuera

6th - Devoy Squash and Fitness

7th - Henderson

8th - Cromwell

9th - Mangakahia

10th - Belmont Park

11th - Hamilton 1

12th - Hamilton 2

13th - Royal Oak

Mitchell Cup

1st - Remuera

2nd - Royal Oak

3rd - North Shore

4th - Mount Maunganui

5th - Devoy Squash and Fitness

6th - Whangarei

7th - Silverdale