14-Jun-04:
LOCAL HERO
Greg Don reports from Grafton

Yamba local Cameron Pilley won the 2004 NSW Open Squash championships in Grafton yesterday. The 2003 runner up in this event tasted the joy of success in capturing his first NSW Open title in a convincing display over fellow Australian Institute of Sport Athlete Aaron Frankcomb. Pilley was never troubled by his younger opponent and won his match 3-0(15-8,15-6,15-8) to an enthusiastic local crowd. Watched by former world champion Rodney Martin Pilley demonstrated his natural talent and experience in taking the match.

In the women’s open Amelia Pittock was a convincing winner after being runner up in 2002 and 2003. In her third successive final appearance at these titles she was not going to let another one slip by winning 3-0(9-7,9-4,9-1). Heidi Mather was runner up and could not add another NSW Open to her list of achievements after having won in 2002.

Local Clarence Valley players who performed strongly were Tracey Johnson runner up in women’s A grade and Rebecca Eichman in women’s D grade. Both ladies are Grafton players and had a home court advantage which they made the most of. In the men’s Mark Webb of Grafton was runner up in the B garde.
 

13-Jun:
AIS Athletes
dominate NSW Open
Greg Don reports from Grafton

Australian Institute of Sport Athletes have dominated the NSW Open squash championships.

In the men's final to be played at 2pm on Monday local hope Cameron Pilley takes on fellow AIS player Aaron Frankcomb. Pilley, at world ranking 45 looks to be favourite against his younger and less experienced rival whose ranking is over 100. This will not deter the confident Tasmanian in his quest to upset the his training partner whose local Yamba roots will spur him on to grab a home town victory.

In the women’s open Heidi Mather will play Amelia Pittock. Mather survived a huge scare early in the day when local Donna Urquhart went with a point of causing a huge upset and forcing her way into the final. Pittock has been runner up the last two years and starts sentimental favourite over Mather who won the title in 2002. The ladies open final is set for 1 pm.

Local players still in the hunt for grade victories include Michael Davidson of Yamba in the men’s A grade and Mark Webb in the B grade men’s. C grade looks to be between Richard Coulson Ballina and Brad Wells of Port Macquarie.

In the Ladies A grade Tracey Johnson of Grafton should make the final. Ladies D grade will be mother and daughter final with Rebecca Eichman of Grafton playing Julie Todd of Ballina.

Martin leads AIS
party at NSW Open
Greg Don reports from Grafton

Former world champion Rodney Martin is leading a group of Australian Institute of Sport players who look set to capture the spoils this weekend at the NSW Open Squash Championships.

The Australian Institute of Sport players are early favourites at the 2004 NSW Open Squash Championships. In the men's Open last years runner up Cameron Pilley (world number 45), AIS player and former local, is the number 1 seed in the field of 20 Open players to play at Grafton this coming weekend. Last year's winner Dan Jensen cannot defend his title thus providing Pilley the opportunity to capture the title that eluded him last year. Before doing this he will need to overcome fellow AIS athlete and number 2 seed Aaron Frankcomb (world 110) of Tasmania. The world rankings can be deceiving and Pilley will not get things all his own way. Also in with a chance is Derek Hunter of Papua New Guinea and Brad Freeme of Queensland seeded at 3 and 4.

In the Women's Open Amelia Pittock (world number 29), runner up for the last two years and Heidi Mather (world number 32) the winner of the title in 2002 are the two clear favourites. Both are current AIS athletes. There is nothing between these two players and barring any upsets they should provide an exciting final befitting the prestigious title. The sentimental favourite must be Pittock who has made the final on two previous occasions only to be denied the title.

Former World Champion Rodney Martin will be coaching and managing the AIS athletes over the tournament and it certainly looks like both Open winners will come from his stable of players.

In the graded events local players who look like strong contenders include Tracey Johnson in the women’s A grade, Michael Davidson in the Men’s A Grade and Clinten Lawler in the men’s B grade.

The event begins on Saturday morning at 9am at Big River Squash and Fitness centre in Hoof St with the Open Ladies final scheduled for 1 pm on Monday afternoon and the Men’s Open at 2pm. Spectators are welcome.