Christchurch Football’s No 5 player Mary Turnbull performed under pressure to help her side win the women’s final of the national B grade squash event in Christchurch. The final against Tokoroa at the Christchurch SRC courts was locked at 2-2 when Turnbull played the final rubber, but she was always in control of opponent Tamara Mamanu. It was only the second time the Christchurch Football club (representing Canterbury) had won the national title. Freda Walker, Sarena Gardner, Rose Gardiner, Julie McFadzien, Turnbull, Jeannie McGregor, and Donna Kerr made up the winning squad.

Linwood represented Canterbury in the men’s B grade championships, finishing ninth.

Results of the women’s final

Chch Football (Canty) 3 Tokoroa (BOP) 2: Freda Walker lost to Vivien Horne 3-9 6-9 1-9, Sarena Gardner beat Maree Savage 9-0 9-1 10-8, Rose Gardiner lost to Colleen Katene 9-4 4-9 9-7 4-9 6-9, Julie McFadzien beat Sheryl Galloway 10-8 9-7 9-3, Mary Turnbull beat Tamara Mamanu 9-3 9-4 9-6. Final placings: Women: Chch Football (Canterbury) 1, Tokoroa (BOP) 2, Khandallah (Wellington) 3, Henderson (Auckland) 4, Hamilton (Waikato) 5, Timaru (Midlands) 6, Palmerston North (Central) 7, Gisborne HSOB (Hawkes Bay-Gisborne) 8, Logan Park (Otago) 9. Men: Panmure (Auckland) 1, Khandallah (Wellington) 2, Gisborne Surf City (Hawkes Bay-Gisborne) 3, Pirates (Otago) 4, Palmerston North (Central) 5, Squash City (Southland) 6, Hamilton (Waikato) 7. Timaru (Midlands) 8, Linwood (Canterbury) 9. Mt Manganui (BOP) 10. Panmure won final 3-1.