Squash Semi-Finals Disappointing

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 16

Squash Semi-Finals Disappointing

After semi-finals rather disappointing in quality, the first and fourth seeded players. J. F. Henderson and R. M. Garrett, last evening qualified to meet in the final of the Christchurch closed squash rackets championships on Friday night.

Henderson had little real difficulty beating an out-of-form J. H. N. Pine, 9-6, 9-4, 9-4, and Garrett also won in three games, beating J. G. Foulds, 9-1, 9-5, 9-6. In tournament matches this season Henderson has had the edge on Garrett, winning three of their four matches. But he has only once won with any ease. On present form, Henderson must be favoured, but if Garrett is prepared to continue his fine use of the drop shot, and refuses to be reduced to a running role, he might well provide stern opposition. Pine played poorly against Henderson who, in turn, performed only as well as he had to, and the Garrett-Foulds match was the more interesting, even though Foulds appeared to have a winning chance only in the early and middle stages of the final game. Pine surprisingly won the first point with a fine drop shot, suggesting that this may be his plan for the night. It was not to be; the old famllar pattern was soon prominent, but neither Pine nor his opponent could have anticipated the remarkable number of errors he made, most of them quite unnecessary. Confidence Increased A large number of drives found the tin very near the floor, and in the air Pine was also extremely unsure. Even Pine’s usually good length, promising at the start, soon deserted him and as Henderson’s confidence increased his

drop shots, often placed well above the tin early, began io find their mark. In the early stages of his match with Garrett—both semifinals lasted about 30 minutes —Foulds appeared frustrated at his inability to place his shots effectively, or to avoid the errors which came from not watching the ball properly. While Garrett varied his stroke-play unusually well, and kept his game tight and his drops and angles just above the tin, Foulds raced up and down and from side to side in retrieving role, and ended many rallies with a simple error. For the first two games. Garrett nearly always con trolled court position. Foulds’s placements Improved and he led, 6-4. in the third game. but Garrett played calmly and flawlessly. While Foulds forced many severe rallies he lost his racket to go hand out, and then erred on volley, drop, lob, and angle tn succession. His challenge ended when Garrett, awkwardly placed, hit a drive of perfect length to the backhand corner. Other results were:— B Grade.—Semi-final: J. S Crosble beat J. F. Cotter, # 0, A Grade Plate —B. V. Hamllton beat N. A. Justice, 6-9. 9-5, 10-8, 10-9; R. D. Monk beat T. L. Williams, 9-5, 9-2. 1-9, 9-3

Women.—quarter-finals: Mrs R. Woodhead beat Miss E. Elvldge, 9-0, 9-1, 9-2; Mrs P. Leopold beat Miss B. Bowbyes. 9 7, 9-0, 9-6: Miss J. Webb beat Miss C. Andrew, 9-2. 9-5. 5-9. 8-10, 9-7; Miss C. Swift beat Mrs C. Arnesen, 9-5. 9-0, 9-4.