Squash Attracts Players From Many Other Sports

Press, Volume C, Issue 29506, 6 May 1961, Page 5

Squash Attracts Players From Many Other Sports

QQUASH rackets offers *“ many advantages to the regular sportsman; it is an idea] way to keep fit and offers keen, regular competition and it takes less time . than such sports as cricket, tennis, golf and football. Well Known It is not surprising, then, . that the rapidly-increasing numbers of squash players in Christchurch should include many names well known to followers of other sports. Last winter in Christchurch six teams of four took part in the A grade squash competition, and among those who appeared regularly were three senior cricketers, P. M. Hill who played for University, G. C. P. Beadel (Christchurch) and E. R. Morris • Junior Chamber).

The A grade tennis players D. R. Preston and B. J. Shirlaw and D. D. M. Stewart, a Canterbury table tennis representative and selector, completed the University team and a wellknown golfer, M. R. Blank, was a leading member of the Officers’ Club team. A former All Black, R. M. Smith, played for Junior Chamber, as did J. L. Williams, who is now overseas. Williams played one Plunket Shield series for Canterbury before he gave up cricket for tennis, and he also played

senior Rugby for University. The Christchurch Squash Club's two A grade teams were headed by the two leading meg in Canterbury badminton, R. G. Pattinson and R. K. Macefield. Pattinson was a leading tennis player until recent years. It seems certain that other well-known sportsmen will make their mark in squash in the near future. A number of youngsters, such as the tennis players G. Moss, W. Thom and L J. Walpole, have recently joined the ranks and their natural fitness and enthusiasm will be major assets. Two representative footballers. S. K. Henderson and C. A. McDonald, are keen players, while cricketers arc being increasingly attracted to squash for their winter sport—among them J. W Grocott. O. E. Batchelor. J England. K. Thomson and J Cahill of the younger school A. R. Mac Gibbon is an old hand at the game and A. C Timpson, T. B. Burtt and the New Zealand Cricket Council secretary R, G. Knowles are cricketers who have taken up squash a little later in life. Hard to Beat T. Callender, previously well known in tennis, is still very hard to beat at squash while A L. Blackwell (tennis), the footballer H. C Burry, and the representative golfer A. W. Robinson are members of the Christchurch club. A. L. Trembath. another leading tennis player who as a junior reached the New Zealand championship final and who has also played senior cricket for West Christchurch, won the Christchurch B grade squash title 1 last season. Keep Fit During this winter at least three members of the recently-selected New Zealand cricket team to tour South Africa will be looking to the squash courts to keep themselves in top condition. M. E. Chapple, P. G. Z. Harris and G. T. Dowling are all keen players and Dowling, who at school showed considerable potentional at tennis as well as cricket, made a good impression at the end of last season in his only tournament appearance.

Not surprisingly, J. R. Reid is reported to be a very good player and as most of the cricketers appearing in the series against the M.C.C. tried their hand at squash when the weather took control, it may well be that the periods of off-duty relaxation during the coming tour will not be confined entirely to the golf course