Wellington and Bay of Plenty Claim Senior Nationals Teams Trophies

The Wellington men’s team and the Bay of Plenty women’s team have claimed the 2017 New Zealand Senior Inter-District Teams Titles after some hard fought finals.

In the Men’s final it was top seeds Wellington taking on the second seeds Auckland to try and get the title back they last won in 2014. Jonathan Barnett got the Wellington team off to a good start with a 3-0 win over Auckland’s Sam Sayes. Gabe Yam made sure to keep Auckland in it taking the win from Wellington’s Sam Atkins 3-0. Evan Williams got Wellington ahead in the match department with a 3-0 win over Matthew Lucente. Brad Robinson from Auckland and Willie Bicknell from Wellington had a mammoth battle going game for game but it was Robinson who got over the line in the end taking the match 3-2. This wasn’t enough for Auckland with Wellington taking the title 8-6 on games.

In the Women’s final Camden Te Kani-McQueen was pushed to her limits by Auckland’s Juee Bhide but it was Te Kani-McQueen who was able to clinch the win in an enthralling five setter. Abbie Palmer got Auckland back onto the board with a 3-0 win over the Bay’s Jo Shanks. Amanda Landers-Murphy proved too strong in her match for Ellie Epke with a 3-0 win and taking the Bay to a 2-1 match lead. Priscilla Wildsmith got Auckland off to a good start in her match against the Bay’s Nadia Hubbard claiming the first two games. Hubbard however worked hard and found some outstanding shots getting herself back into the match claiming the next two games. Hubbard looked calmed and composed in the final game eventually clinching the match 3-2 and sealing the title for the Bay for the first time since 1981 and the second time in the events history.

Congratulations to Squash Eastern on the success of both the teams and individuals event. Full results and draws can be found on the Squash Eastern Website here