Robin Clements probably surprised even himself with his form and fitness when he upset the second seed, Don Preston, yesterday to make the final of the Lion Linwood open squash tournament.

Clements recovered well from a 3-7 deficit in the fourth to beat Preston, 4-9, 9-1, 2-9, 9-7, 9-4, in a 47min match.

The other finalist for this afternoon’s match will be the top seed, Lin Sparks, who was given a tough time by the young Canterbury University left-hander, Hamish Dowell, before winning, 2-9, 6-9, 9-3, 9-4, 9-6.

It will be the first time Clements has reached the final of an open tournament in Canterbury and his win was deserved.

Preston had won the first and third games easily enough, but was on the receiving end of a barrage of winners from Clements in the second.

Still, everything looked over when Preston, hitting some of those lovely backhand cross-court volleys into the nick, went to a 7-3 lead in the fourth – within two points of the match.

However, the much more experienced Preston could not advance past seven, though he served six times at that score. Clements showed grand fighting qualities and a cool head to take the game, 9-7, after some tight rallies.

Clements maintained his impetus in the fifth and won the last point with a nick. Preston, who had looked a little tired at the end of the previous game, did save two match balls but had the misfortune to serve out of court after grabbing back one point.

The other semi-final lasted a full 52min after Dowell had looked set to take the contest in straight games.

Dowell had already upset the fourth-seeded Ron Marshall in the quarter-finals the previous night and he started in great fashion against Sparks to take the first two games with some crisply hit short drives standing out.

Results:

MEN

Division one: Quarter finals. L. C. Sparks beat M. Crosbie 10-8, 8-10, 9-2, 9-6; H. Dowell beat R. Marshall 9-3 9-3 2-9, 9-5; R. Clements beat J. H. Christensen 9-1, 2-9, 8-10, 9-2, 9-5; D. R. Preston beat M. Clements 9-5, 9-4, 9-0. Semi-finals: Sparks beat Dowell 2-9. 6-9, 9-3, 9-4, 9-6; Clements beat Preston 4-9, 9-1, 2-9, 9-7, 9-4.

Division two.-Semi-finals: L. Boyes (Motueka) beat P. Herd 9-7, 0-9, 9-1, 9-4; J. Tulloch beat R. Turner 9-2, 9-6, 9-1.

Division three. -Semi-finals: E. Post beat B. Marriott 5-9, 9-5, 6-9, 10-9, 9-3; R. Heinz beat C. Leney 16-9, 9-3, 10-8, 9-6.

Division four.–Semi-finals: W. Smith beat S. Wren 9-2, 9-1, 10-8; R. McKendry beat M. Loveday 9-2, 2-9, 9-7, 9-5.

WOMEN

Division one: Quarter-finals: L. Symes beat J. Calvert 9-0, 9-2, 9-0; E. Hensley beat K. Gilray 3-9, 7-9, 9-7 10-8, 10-8; V. Dunstan beat C. Oakley, 10-8, 9-5, 7-9, 9-6; L. Sutherland beat L. North 9-5, 6-9, 7-9, 9-4, 9-7. Semi-finals: Symes beat Hensley 9-5, 9-3, 9-1; Dunstan beat Sutherland 5-9, 9-1, 9-5 9-7.

Division two.–Semi-finals: R. O’Sullivan beat J. Quinn 9-2, 9-6, 8-9, 9-0. J. Havill beat P, Schafer 9-7, 1-9, 5-9, 9-2, 9-2.

Division three-Semi-finals: S. Wasley beat R. Meggett 9-4, 9-2, 10-8; R. Melhopt beat G. Rush 9-2, 9-6, 3-9, 4-9, 9-2.

Linwood Open 1980.