Blank Recovers To Win Squash

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31109, 12 July 1966, Page 18

Blank Recovers To Win Squash

Th* vataran M. R. Blank ***d*d all hl* great axnarlanc* ta beat B. V. Hamilton whan th* Christchurch cl*s*d squash rackets champlenship* began last night. Blank r*c*v*r*d ntagnlllcantly from a deficit of tw* sets to on* and M in th* fourth, saving several match points before taking bath th* last tw* gam**, IM. Seeded players came through wMhout great difficulty, the top seeded J. F. Henderson showing good, form against L. G. Holder. The Junior D. A. Garrett, took one game on his merits from J. H. N. Pine without ever appearing Ukely to win. Pine hit th* batt crisply but found bis opponent a different proposition once Garrett began to us* th* watts, instead of placing almost every shot across court. The tournament has been marred by the withdrawal of L. G. Mtine, who could not play because of Nines*. Milne, who was seeded second, had to default his first round match to the former title-holder. R. G. Patti nson. Different Proposition Blank beat Hamilton comfortably in three games when the pair met in an inter-club match a few weeks ago. But last night he found Hamilton an entirely different proposition. Hamilton’s quick reactions and speed about the court, combined with some excellent touch, quickly gave him the first two games. But he seemed to relax a little and loose concentration in the third, before regaining control in the fourth. The contest seemed over with Hamilton leading 8-3 in the fourth game. Then came the transformation, and a quite remarkable reversal of fortune. Blank hugged the walls, tightened his entire game, and began to force errors from his opponent, who too often hurried hi* attempted winner when in good position. Playing flawlessly. Blank secured the game and his chance for victory, but he had to stage a further recovery from behind in the fourth.

Blank seemed the victim of ■ bad decision when down 3 7: he appealed, but the umpire, without the support of a referee. had to uphold his decision. The proceedings from there to the end could hard y have been more absorbing. Blank came back with renewed energy and determination, saved another match point, and Anally forced errors with two shots of superb length for victory. First round result*. — A grade F. Henderson beat L. G. Holder. 9- 9-4. 9-2. M. R. Blank beat B. V. Hamilton. 3-9. 5-9. 92. 10- 10-8. J. H. N. Fine beat I). A. Garrett. 9-2, 9-2, 0-9, 9-3. D. J Trlggs beat T. L. Williams. 0-0, 9-2, 9-4. J. G. Foulds beat R. D. Monk. 9-0. 9-0, 3-9. 97. R. G. Pattlnson beat L. G. Milne, by default. S. Suckling beat N. A. Justice. 9-7, 9-3, 10-8. B grade championship:—J. S. Crosble beat P. G. Z. Harris. 9-4. 9-2, 9-4. P. G. Angland beat G. A. Graham, 5-9, 3-9. 9-2. 9-0. 9-0. C. C. Moore beat P. A. Liken, 9-2, 9-1, 9-3. J. F. Cotter beat P. G. Hill. 9-3. 7-0, 9-0. 10 9. N. B. Ullrich beat J. Wearn. 9-0, 9-5, 9-2. J. Kennedy beat P. A. Murray, 9-1. 9-5. 9-3. C. A. McDonald beat A. Leopold by default. E. R. Morris beat B. T. Qulrke, 4-9, 9-7, 9-7, 9-1.