New Zealand vs England in the Pak'N'Save PSA Tournament Semi-Finals at Devoy

Pictured Right – Jamie Oakley (left) vs Lance Beddoes (right) - Quarter Finals Pak'N'Save PSA Devoy - photo Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

The quarter finals rounded out today at the PaknSave Tauranga PSA & Open Tournament. Adam Murrills of England outclassed Rhys Dowling of Australia in the first game to take a convincing 11/2 win. Murrills played with precision and focus from the start in a never-say-die attitude that paid dividends in the end. Murrills looked in total control from start to finish, backing up the previous days win with another superb performance. Murrills had Dowling scrambling to all four corners of the court, producing great front court drops and engaging Dowling in long rallies to force his errors. Murrills took the match 3/0.

Jamie Oakley and Lance Beddoes, both of New Zealand, had tentative starts to their quarter finals matches. After an enthralling encounter in round 1 to book his place in the quarter finals, Oakley was unable to back up his performance in the first game, being forced into uncharacteristic mistakes. Oakley fought back hard in the first game after being 8-4 down, but he eventually lost 11/9. Beddoes, seeded 2 in the tournament, took an early lead in the second game but a determined Oakley found his energy and confidence to produce some excellent front court drops which Beddoes was unable to return leading Oakley to draw the match level at 1-1. In the third and fourth games, Beddoes showed his class dominating the centre of the court and not allowing the young Oakley to play his shots. Beddoes taking the fourth game in a comfortable 11/3 win. In his first PSA event, Oakley will have gained much from the experience, and after some good form winning the recent AON NZ Junior Open will no doubt have his eyes set on a number of titles moving into the New Zealand squash season.

In the third quarter final, Joe Green of England was matched against Ben Grindrod, a local Devoy Squash Club favourite.  In a tense match going point for point, both players were keen to stamp their marks on the game early. It was Grindrod who took first blood winning the first game 11/6. The feisty English opponent was determined not to let his chances of a PSA final in New Zealand slip away, and after playing some great length tight into the back corners, Green took the second and third games 11/6 and 11/7. Grindrod was unable to capitalise on some early errors by Green in the fourth game with some loose shots from Grindrod giving Green the opening to forge ahead and take the game 11/5.

The last quarter final game saw top seed Evan Williams of New Zealand meet Dylan Cunningham of USA. Evan dominated his opponent in all aspects of the game from start to finish. The American was unable to counter the left handed Williams and his quick racket speed. Williams was the winner of this event in 2015 and he was confident in his approach to the ball and his decision making was first class, earning him a place in tonight’s semi-finals.

Tonight’s semi-finals see New Zealand vs England in both matches which will surely see squash fans witnessing a fantastic display of squash. 

Full results from round 1 and the Quarter finals can be found on the PSA website here or below

Games kick off on the Carruss Glass Court being housed in the Tauranga Boys College at 6pm Saturday 30th April. All games are being livestreamed and can be viewed here

Quarter Finals

[3] Adam Murrills (ENG) bt [7] Rhys Dowling (AUS) - 11/2, 11/6, 11/9

[2] Lance Beddoes (NZL) bt [WC] Jamie Oakley (NZL) - 11/9, 9/11, 11/6, 11/3

[5] Joe Green (ENG) bt [4] Ben Grindrod (NZL) - 6/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/5

[1] Evan Williams (NZL) bt [8] Dylan Cunningham (USA) - 11/5, 11/8, 11/3

Semi-Finals

Lance Beddoes (NZ) (2) vs Adam Murrills (ENG) (3)

Evan Williams (NZ) (1) vs Joe Green (ENG) (5).

For further information:

Char Niles

Media Liaison

Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre

021-1105-1107021-1105-1107

Pictured Above – Ben Grindrod (blue) vs Joe Green (red) - Quarter Finals Pak'N'Save PSA Devoy - photo Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media