|
 |
12/08/2008 - Last night, Monday night around a 100 spectators packed the show court at Herne Bay Ponsonby Rackets Club for a highly entertaining evening of world class squash. Pictured is Azlan Iskander and Dave Clarke after Azlan's semi-fianl win at Mount Maunganui's Festival of Squash on the weekend. |
|
Shelley Kitchen and Irish lass Madeline Perry (World No.15) kicked off the night with a fantastic five set match. Every rally was hard fought, but Shelley's power and pace gave her the edge for an exciting 3/2 win.
Next up new Herne Bay Club Champ, Chris Lloyd vs Malaysian World No. 13 Azlan Iskander in a one game challenge. Chris played some quality squash and deserved every point he won. Azlan takes it 11-4. Next up New Zealand Junior Open Champion Josh Thom vs Azlan in another one game challenge. Josh wrong footed Azlan with a couple of deceptive backhand reverse boasts, but Azlan dominated, taking it 11-6.
The final match saw former World Number 3 and 2005 British Open Champion, Anthony Ricketts stepping in for an injured Ong Beng Hee. Anthony showed the audience he's still got it! He cracked some trademark overhead volleys and had Azlan retrieving some ‘impossible' shots. Azlan was all class though – super fast, powerful, extremely tight and brilliant in the front court, and it was enough to edge Anthony 3/1 in a brilliant match.
All in all it was a very successful evening and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the superb squash on display. A big thanks to the local members and visitors who supported the event. And of course a big thanks to the players who showed us what can be done on a court. We hope to see you again.
Tonight's roadshow involving these overseas players is in Whangarei. Check out this website link for the next exciting international squash encounter.
And if that's not enough squash for you, the 2008 British Open Champion and World Number 5 Australian David Palmer is playing exhibition matches at Henderson tonight.
Up-and-coming Lance Beddoes will take the court with Palmer at 5.30pm and the Kiwi number one and World 41, Kashif Shuja will face a warmed up Palmer.
In conjunction with Black Knight, Henderson Club has put together an evening a great squash.
|
www.northernadvocate.co.nz/localsport/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3781310&thesection=localsport&thesubs...
|
|
|
<< Previous
| Next >>
Back to previous page
|
|
© Squash NZ
