Nigel Lloyd (Burnside) provided the experienced Barrie Matthews (Palmerston North) with spirited opposition in the final of the Cave Rock Hotel New Years’ squash tournament at the Sumner club on Sunday.

Matthews, a Central Districts representative, was taken to five games before winning 8–10, 10–8, 9–1, 6–9, 9–7. Lloyd, who has been practising a lot recently, showed more patience and consistency than in past performances.

The women’s open grade was won by the 1985 New Zealand junior representative, Justine Marriott, unbeaten in a round-robin with four other players. Second place went to the Mount Pleasant player, Ann Harliwich who recorded an upset five-game victory over Freda Walker (Linwood) during the tournament.

Results:

Men’s open – Semi finals:
B. Matthews (Palmerston North) beat E. Smail (Christchurch Football), 9–5, 10–8, 9–2;
N. Lloyd (Burnside) beat T. Cook (Christchurch Football), 9–6, 9–6, 9–1.

Final: Matthews beat Lloyd, 8–10, 10–8, 9–1, 6–9, 9–7.

Play-off for third and fourth: Smail beat Cook, 9–4, 10–8, 9–3.

Plate: G. Monk (Linwood) beat G. Peacock (Burnside), 9–7, 9–5, 9–2.

Special plate: J. H. Christensen (Sumner) beat W. Seebeck (Christchurch), 9–4, 9–4, 9–0.

Consolation plate: L. Wynyard (Lancaster Park) beat M. Harley (Linwood), 9–7, 7–9, 9–8, 9–2.

Men’s division one: Final: J. McLauchland (Linwood) beat M. Peacock (Christchurch), 7–9, 9–7, 9–0, 9–6.

Men’s division two: Final: W. Wood (Christchurch Football) beat C. Adair (Linwood), 9–7, 9–5, 9–3.

Men’s division three: Final: P. Gilmour (Sumner) beat G. Sluis (Christchurch), 9–5, 9–2, 9–3.

Women’s open round-robin:
J. Marriott (Sumner) 4 wins, A. Harliwich (Mount Pleasant) 3 wins, F. Walker (Linwood) 2 wins.
Marriott beat Walker, 0–9, 9–4, 1–9, 9–1, 10–8;
Harliwich beat Walker, 9–7, 3–9, 9–6, 6–9, 9–4;
Marriott beat Harliwich, 9–6, 9–5, 9–1.

Women’s division one:

Final: M. Worsford (Lancaster Park) beat L. Graham (Burnside), 4–9, 0–9, 9–2, 9–0, 9–2.

The Press, 14 January 1986, Page 23.