Team Results

07-Sep
Owens and Wilson claim
the honours in Auckland
Gary Denvir reports

There were comprehensive victories for Carol Owens and Glen Wilson in the singles finals at the New Zealand National Squash Championships in Auckland.

World number one Owens showed she's in great form ahead of next month's British Open, crushing 15th ranked Shelley Kitchen 9/1 9/1 9/2 in the women's decider.

It is Owens' second national title, after she also won last year.

And Wilson picked up the men's title for the third time in his career, upsetting defending champion Daniel Sharplin 9/1 9/4 9/1.

It's been a long time between drinks for Wilson though, with his previous titles coming in 1990 and 1991.

The two champions could yet add another title to their collections with the teams event starting tomorrow morning.

Auckland is favoured to take out the women's event with Owens playing at number one, while Glen Wilson's Wellington side is hot favourite to win the men's.

06-Sep
Owens and Sharplin one win
away from defending titles
Gary Denvir reports
 
Carol Owens and Daniel Sharplin have moved to within one win of defending their respective titles at the National Squash Championships in Auckland.
 
World number one Carol Owens produced another dominant display in the semifinals, demolishing fourth seed Sarah Cook 9/0 9/2 9/0. Owens has conceded just seven points in four matches at the champs.
 
Her opponent in the final will be second seed Shelley Kitchen, who earned her place in the decider with a 9/2 9/0 9/4 win over Tamsyn Leevey.
 
Daniel Sharplin's route into the men's final wasn't as cut and dried, with Callum O'Brien grabbing the first game of their semifinal 9/4.
However, the top seed bounced back to take the next three games 10/8 9/6 9/2.

He will meet Glen Wilson in the final, after the third seed racked up a stunning 9/1 9/1 9/0 upset win over second seed Kashif Shuja.
 
The women's final is at 1:30pm and the men's at 2:30pm Sunday 7th September.

06-Sep
Top seeds safely
through to semifinals
 
The top four seeds are safely through to the semifinals in both the men's and the women's draws at the National Squash Championships in Auckland.
 
World number one Carol Owens has continued her relentless march through the women's draw, thrashing Becky Clarke 9/0 9/0 9/3. Owens will face Sarah Cook in the last four, after the fourth seed downed Jackie Hawkes 9/6 9/5 9/4.
 
On the other side of the draw, second seed Shelley Kitchen will square off against third seed Tamsyn Leevey, after they too won in straight games.
 
In the men's draw, top seed Daniel Sharplin was again impressive, crushing Oliver Johnston 9/1 9/1 9/0, while third seed Glen Wilson and fourth seed Callum O'Brien also won in three.
 
However, second seed Kashif Shuja was made to work harder, eventually edging past Danny McQueen 9/4 8/10 9/4 10/9.

05-Sep
Defending champions cruise
into quarters in Auckland
Gary Denvir reports
 
Defending champions Carol Owens and Daniel Sharplin remain on target to retain their titles after two rounds of the National Squash Championships in Auckland.
 
World number one Carol Owens has dropped just two points in two matches, matching her first round score with a 9/0 9/0 9/1 win over Jenny Bell to reach the quarterfinals.
 
And Daniel Sharplin has demolished Martin Knight 9/1 9/1 9/1 to move comfortably into the last eight in the men's draw.
 
The second seeds were similarly untroubled, with Shelley Kitchen thrashing TePua Russell 9/4 9/2 9/2, while Kashif Shuja downed Campbell 9/3 9/5 9/2.
 
The quarterfinals start at 10:15am Saturday 6th September.

Top seeds cruise through
first round at NZ Nationals
Top seeds Carol Owens and Daniel Sharplin have cruised into the second round at the National Squash Championships in Auckland.

World number one Carol Owens has barely raised a sweat in beating Amy Alison 9/0 9/0 9/1, while Daniel Sharplin has crushed Whaiora Moeke 9/9 9/0 9/0 .

Women's second seed Shelley Kitchen was also impressive, thumping Jackie Williams 9/2 9/1 9/0 while third seed Tamsyn Leevey and fourth seed Sarah Cook had similar one sided victories.

Men's second seed Kashif Shuja has continued the form that earned him the South Island Championship title two weeks ago, beating James Leary 9/2 9/5 9/2.

Third seed Glen Wilson won his first round match in four and fourth seed Calluim O'Brien wrapped up a good day for the seeds with a straight games victory.

OWENS & SHARPLIN
TOP SEEDS FOR NZ NATS

Carol Owens and Daniel Sharplin have been placed as top seeds for National Squash Champs in Auckland this weekend.

Reigning champions Carol Owens and Daniel Sharplin are the favourites to defend their titles at the National Squash Championships at Unitec in Auckland this weekend.

Owens heads into the event fresh from her victory at the South Island Championships in Christchurch, and should again be largely untroubled as she continues her build up to next month's British Open.

The world number one's main rival will be second seeded fellow Aucklander Shelley Kitchen who is also preparing for the UK event, while Wellington's Tamsyn Leevey and Canterbury's Sarah Cook are the others expected to make the semifinals.

The men's draw is harder to pick, with the traditional combatants challenged by some new young contenders.

Veteran Daniel Sharplin returns from Boston to defend his title, but will face stiff competition from Auckland's Kashif Shuja, who will be playing at the championships for the first time, after securing New Zealand residency status.

Shuja will be brimming with confidence after toppling some world class opposition on the way to the South Island champs title eight days ago.

Third seed Glen Wilson is another of the old school back for a crack at the title, while fellow Aucklander Callum O'Brien rounds out the top four seeds.

Team Seedings:
Men: Wellington 1, Auckland 2, Bay of Plenty 3, Waikato 4, Southland 5, Otago 6, Central 7, Canterbury 8, Northland 9.

Women: Auckland 1, Canterbury 2, Waikato 3, Northland 4, Wellington 5, Otago 6, Bay of Plenty 7, Central 8, Southland 9.

Team Results

FINALS:
Women's:
1. Carol Owens  bt 2. Shelley Kitchen  9/1 9/1 9/2

Men's:
3. Glen Wilson bt 1. Daniel Sharplin  9/1 9/4 9/1

3rd place playoffs:
3. Tamsyn Leevey bt 4. Sarah Cook  3/9 9/1 7/9 9/3 10/8
2. Kashif Shuja  bt 4. Callum O'Brien  5/9 9/5 9/5 9/4

Semifinal results: 
Women's:
1 Carol Owens  bt 4. Sarah Cook  9/0 9/2 9/0
2. Shelley Kitchen  bt 3. Tamsyn Leevey  9/2 9/0 9/4
 
Men's:
1. Daniel Sharplin  bt 4. Callum O'Brien  4/9 10/8 9/6 9/2
3. Glen Wilson  bt 2. Kashif Shuja  9/1 9/1 9/0

Quarterfinal results: 
Women's: 
1 Carol Owens  bt Becky Clarke  9/0 9/0 9/3
4. Sarah Cook  bt 5. Jackie Hawkes  9/6 9/5 9/4
3. Tamsyn Leevey  bt 6. Kylie Lindsay  9/0 9/1 9/2
2. Shelley Kitchen  bt 7. Rebecca Hawkes  9/1 9/1 9/1
 
Men's: 
1. Daniel Sharplin  bt 8. Oliver Johnston  9/1 9/1 9/0
4. Callum O'Brien  bt 5. George Crosby  9/6 9/6 9/1
3. Glen Wilson  bt Gary Duberly  9/4 9/3 9/0
2. Kashif Shuja  bt 7. Danny McQueen  9/4 8/10 9/4 10/9

Second round results: 
Women's:
1. Carol Owens  bt Jenny Bell   9/0 9/0 9/1
Becky Clarke  bt 8. Sally Hawkes  10/8 9/0 9/0
5. Jackie Hawkes  bt Trudy Englebretson  9/0 9/4 9/3
4. Sarah Cook  bt Priscilla Wildsmith   9/3 4/9 9/3 9/2
3. Tamsyn Leevey  bt Paula Edwards   9/4 9/1 9/3
6. Kylie Lindsay  bt Angie Toal  9/3 10/8 9/7
7. Rebecca Hawkes  bt Kathryn Austin   9/6 9/0 9/1
2. Shelley Kitchen  bt TePua Russell   9/4 9/2 9/2
 
Men's:
1. Daniel Sharplin bt Martin Knight   9/1 9/1 9/1
8. Oliver Johnston  bt Willie Bicknell  10/8 8/10 9/3 9/0
5. George Crosby  bt Shaun Sansom  9/0 9/4 9/0
4. Callum O'Brien  bt Sam Atkins  9/2 9/0 4/9 9/5
3. Glen Wilson  bt Shane Johnston  9/1 9/1 9/3
Gary Duberly  bt 6. Nathan Sneyd  9/4 3/9 9/5 9/4
7. Danny McQueen  bt Josh Greenfield  9/5 9/1 9/6
2. Kashif Shuja  bt Campbell Grayson  9/3 9/5 9/2

First Round Results:
Women's:
1. Carol Owens (Auckland) bt Amy Alison (Northland) 9/0 9/0 9/1
Jenny Bell (Waikato) bt Lassie Cull (Waikato)  9/5 10/8 9/7
Becky Clarke (Auckland) bt Kristan Wilson (Auckland)  9/5 9/5 10/8
8. Sally Hawkes (Auckland) bt Sarena Gardner (Canterbury)   9/2 8/10 9/2 10/8
5. Jackie Hawkes (Otago) bt Annie Hall (Auckland)  9/3 9/0 9/2
Trudy Englebretson (Auckland) bt Tania Mallett (Waikato)  10/9 9/5 9/6
Priscilla Wildsmith (Auckland) bt Jenny Gearing (Otago)   0/9 9/4 9/2 9/3
4. Sarah Cook (Canterbury) bt Carmen Bungard (Southland)   9/4 9/0 9/3
3. Tamsyn Leevey (Wellington) bt Kath McNamara (Wellington)  9/1 9/4 9/0
Paula Edwards (Central) bt Karen Walton (Canterbury)    9/5 9/3 9/1
Angie Toal (Waikato) bt Tanya Colyer (Waikato) 9/3 9/4 9/4
6. Kylie Lindsay (Waikato) bt Tanya Laurence (Auckland) 10/8 3/9 9/1 9/2
7. Rebecca Hawkes (Auckland) bt Trina Moore (Auckland)  9/0 9/1 9/4
Kathryn Austin (BOP) bt Joelle King (Waikato) 9/6 9/3 9/4
TePua Russell (BOP) bt Debbie Dunbar (Wellington)    9/5 6/9 3/9 9/4 9/4
2. Shelley Kitchen (Northland) bt Jackie Williams (Wellington)   9/2 9/1 9/0

Men's:

1. Daniel Sharplin (Midlands) bt Whaiora Moeke (BOP)   9/3 9/0 9/0
Martin Knight (Wellington) bt Mike Weston (Auckland)   7/9 2/9 9/4 9/6 9/7
Willie Bicknell (Wellington) bt Tony Fabling (Waikato)   9/10 9/5 6/9 9/6 9/0
8. Oliver Johnston (Otago) bt Tim Preston (Canterbury)    9/3 9/1 9/5
5. George Crosby (Wellington) bt Kent Darlington (Central)   9/4 9/0 9/1
Shaun Sansom (Central) bt Graeme Wilson (Wellington)   10/8 3/9 9/3 7/9 9/6
Sam Atkins (Wellington) bt Darryl Russell (BOP)  9/5 2/5 default (snapped Achilles)
4. Callum O'Brien (Auckland) bt Paul Tuffin (Central)    9/6 9/5 9/0
3. Glen Wilson (Wellington) bt Paul Kennett (Waikato)   6/9 9/5 9/0 9/1
Shane Johnston (Wellington) bt Jon Bently (Waikato)   6/9 9/7 9/4 10/9
Gary Duberly (Auckland) bt Terry Shaw (BOP)  9/0 9/2 9/7
6. Nathan Sneyd (Wellington) bt James Vincent (Auckland)   9/1 9/2 9/4
7. Danny McQueen (BOP) bt Charlie Mayhew (Canterbury)   9/0 9/4 6/9 9/5
Josh Greenfield (Central) bt Nigel Lloyd (Auckland)   1/9 9/7 9/6 9/6
Campbell Grayson (Auckland) bt Shaun Madden (Southland)  9/4 9/0 9/6
2. Kashif Shuja (Auckland) bt James Leary (Otago)   9/2 9/5 9/2

ROUND THREE
 
men's...
 
Wellington 4 Waikato 0
Glen Wilson def Tony Fabling 9/0 9/1 9/3
George Crosby def Michael Bill 9/7 9/7 6/9 6/9 9/0
Nathan Sneyd def Paul Kennett 9/2 9/2 9/1
Shane Johnston def Nigel Hobson 9/2 9/2 9/1
----------
 
Otago 3 Southland 1
Oliver Johnston lost to Daniel Sharplin 9/7 9/1 9/0
Sam Atkins def Sean Madden 3/9 9/3 9/4 9/7
James Vincent def Carl Tiplady 9/3 9/5 9/2
James Leary def Neil McAra 9/3 9/2 9/7
----
 
Auckland 3 Central 1
Kashif Shuja def Willie Bicknell 9/0 9/0 9/0
Gary Duberly lost to Josh Greenfield 7/9 9/5 9/3 9/4
Campbell Grayson def Paul Tuffin 9/7 9/5 9/2
Nigel Lloyd def Glen Carson 9/4 9/2 4/9 3/9 9/2
 
 
women's....
 
Auckland 4 Otago 0
Carol Owens def Jackie Hawkes 9/3 9/3 9/0
Becky Clarke def Liz Young 9/2 9/2 9/2
Priscilla Wildsmith def Karen Mitchell 9/1 9/1 3/9 9/0
Rachel McLeod def Jacki Kingi 9/0 9/1 9/0
------
 
Waikato 3 Canterbury 1
Kylie Lindsay lost to Sarah Cook 9/0 9/0 9/3
Angie Toal def Karen Walton 9/4 9/5 4/9 9/2
Jenny Bell def Serena Gardner 9/6 9/1 10/8
Tanya Colyer def Julie McWilliams 9/2 9/5 9/2
----
 
Northland 2 Wellington 2
Shelley Kitchen def Tamsyn Leevey 9/2 9/0 9/2
Jenny Garing lost to Trudy Englebretson 9/3 9/3 9/4
Trina Moore lost to Jenny-Mae Englebretson 9/2 7/9 10/8 4/9 9/7
Amy Alison def Kath McNamara 9/1 1/9 9/5 9/5

ROUND ONE
 
Otago 4 Northland 0
Oliver Johnston def Phil Buscke 9/3 9/6 9/2
Sam Atkins def Josh Thom 9/1 9/0 9/2
James Vincent def Brent Lewis 9/5 4/9 9/6 10/8
Richard Lyne def Peter Langford 9/1 9/2 9/4
 
Southland bye
----------
 
Central 3 Canterbury 1
Willie Bicknell def Tim Preston 9/4 9/7 9/1
Josh Greenfield lost to Aaron Smail 9/1 6/9 9/3 9/1
Paul Tuffin def Charlie Mayhew 9/7 9/7 9/0
Glen Carson def Kade Atkinson 2/9 9/4 8/9 9/5 9/5
 
Auckland bye
----------
 
Waikato 3 Bay of Plenty 1
Callum O'Brien lost to Danny McQueen 9/5 9/5 9/6
Tony Fabling def Terry Shaw 7/9 9/4 9/3 9/3
Michael Bill def Whaiora Moeke 9/2 9/6 6/9 9/5
Paul Kennett def Walter Rika 7/9 10/9 9/7 9/3
 
Wellington bye
----------
 ROUND TWO
 
Southland 4 Northland 0
Daniel Sharplin def Phil Buscke 9/0 9/0 9/1
Sean Madden def Josh Thom 9/4 5/9 9/0 9/3
Adrian Mennell def Brent Lewis 10/8 9/7 9/6
Leon Beaman def Craig Widdup 9/2 9/5 9/2
 
Otago bye
----------
 
Auckland 4 Canterbury 0
Kashif Shuja def Tim Preston 9/5 9/1 9/3
Gary Duberly def Aaron Smail 9/4 9/2 9/2
Campbell Grayson def Charlie Mayhew 9/0 8/10 9/3 9/1
Nigel Lloyd def Hamish Restieaux 9/5 9/3 9/4
 
Central bye
----------
 
Wellington 4 Bay of Plenty 0
Glen Wilson def Danny McQueen 9/4 9/2 9/6
George Crosby def Terry Shaw 9/2 9/2 9/4
Nathan Sneyd def Whaiora Moeke 9/3 9/0 9/4
Martin Knight def Walter Rika 9/5 9/2 9/3.
 
Women's...
 
ROUND ONE
 
Wellington 4 Southland 0
Tamsyn Leevey def Kristan Wilson 9/1 9/2 9/0
Trudy Englebretson def Carmen Bungard 9/2 9/0 9/4
Jenny-Mae Englebretson def Katherine McDonald 9/2 6/9 9/6 9/2
Kath McNamara def Jan McAra 9/0 9/5 10/8
 
Northland bye
----------
 
Canterbury 3 Central 1
Sarah Cook def Paula Edwards 9/1 9/1 9/0
Karen Walton lost to Debbie Dunbar 9/2 9/1 9/7
Serena Gardner def Jackie Laurenson 9/7 6/9 9/4 3/9 9/5
Nicola Noble def Sharyn Flynn 9/7 9/4 9/10 9/5
 
Waikato bye