Competition Heats Up in Squash at Arafura Games 2009

Thu, May 14 2009

Quarter final action in Squash tonight saw a top game played between the two seasoned players. NT players Ryan Ashcroft and Rod Smith went head to head in match where the play was hard and fast. After some long hard rallies Ashcroft took out the match 3/0 to secure a position in the Semi-Finals.

In the Women’s quarter finals two NT players and two players from New Caledonia earned entry into the Semi-Finals.

The first game between NT’s Sharmaine Mills and experienced competitor Tracey Cummings of the Australian Defence Organisation was hard fought with Cummings, who was carrying knee injury, refusing to let Mills win easily. The players continued into the 4th game point for point, with Mills eventually winning 11/6, 5/11, 11/3, 12/10.

NT’s Carol Hitchcock took on Great Britain’s Chrissie Arrowsmith in an excellent game that saw pint size Hitchcock from Alice Springs moving quickly around the court, returning shot for shot. Hitchcock proved herself by winning the match 11/6, 9/11, 11/7, 11/7.

Madonna Doyle of the Australian Defence Force versed Caroline Quach from the New Caledonia Development Squad. Quach has played some excellent squash this week leading into the Quarter Final. Her skills, mental strength and agility helped her defeat Doyle 3/0 – 11/7, 11/7, 11/7.

New Caledonia’s Marie-Pierre Leca played NT’s Emma Coppins for the last spot in the semi finals. Neither woman was willing to succumb to defeat but Leca eventually took the lead in the 4th game to win the match 3/1 – 11/9, 11/8, 9/11, 11/5.

Match Schedule Friday 15 May

Women’s Individual Event – Semi Finals - 7:00pm
Carol Hitchcock (NT) vs Carolyn Quach (New Caledonia)
Sharmaine Mills (NT vs Marie-Pierra Leca (New Caledonia)

Men’s Individual Event – Semi Finals – 8:30pm
Sam Miller (Great Britain) vs Chris Hill (Great Britain)
Chris White (Australia) vs Jamie Broadfoot (NT)

For more information go to www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au.

Gail Liston (08) 8920 5536 or 0407 207 335.