2011 HEAPHY SHIELD

Marlborough claim back the Heaphy Shield:

Nelson Bays squash senior men’s and women’s teams surrendered the Heaphy Shield to Marlborough at the weekend after having just won it back from them in 2010. Nelson Bays had the home advantage this year, and started well notching up the lead after the first two rounds, but were unlucky to lose some crucial matches when Brendon Monk pulled up with a hamstring injury during his match against Marlborough number 4, Russ O’Flaherty. Marcus Rose was called in on Sunday as reserve but Rose, still recovering from flu, was unable to fire against Pete Flynn (Marlborough) losing 3-1. West Coaster Clark Ellery played a blinder, and upset the Nelson Bays plan when he defeated Nelson’s Nick Wiffen 3/2.

Credit must go to a very strong Marlborough team, who outclassed Nelson Bays and West coast in the number 1 positions with Josh King and Megan Craig, ranked 10th and 5th in New Zealand respectively, winning 8 matches for Marlborough between them.

However, Nelson Bays didn’t go down without a fight and there were several good individual results. Tristan Palmer worked hard for his 3/2 win over Jamie Rhodes (West Coast) on Sunday, and Leigh Rodd’s 3/0 win over her West Coast opponent Anne Campbell on Sunday gave her 4 wins out of 4 matches for the weekend. Mark Kerr put up a spirited fight against Josh King, making him Kings only opponent during the weekend to hit double figures in a game!

In the 3rd and 4th rounds Marlborough dominated with seven out of the maximum 8 wins. This left Marlborough ahead of Nelson by four matches, while the West Coast, winners back in 2004, were only able to secure 6 matches. Final Result: Marlborough 23, Nelson 19, West Coast 6.

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