Girls win trans-Tasman showdown in Poland

New Zealand is through to the top eight after nail biting win over Australia at the World Junior Women’s Team Squash Championships in Poland.

The eighth seeded Kiwis have edged past their trans Tasman rivals 2-1, coming back from a match down in the crucial tie.

New Zealand number one Ellie Epke was first on court and grabbed the first game against Australian rival Jessica Turnbull.  However, Epke went off the boil and allowed Turnbull back into the match in the second and third games to go down 2-1. She managed to scrape back to 2-2 in the fourth with a close 12-10. However suffering the consequences from the earlier games she ended the match with a 5-11, 12-10, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4 defeat.

That left Rebecca Barnett needing to win against Grace McErvale to keep the tie alive and the Kiwi number two duly delivered with a comfortable 11-3, 11-1, 11-3 victory.

Abbie Palmer then secured New Zealand’s place in the top eight with an impressive 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 win over Aussie number three Natalie Newton by coming out all guns blazing and pulling off some outrageous shot making.

New Zealand will now play seconds seeds USA in the quarterfinals.  The match will be streamed live from 4am NZT.

For more details, catch up with the girls on their blog.

Results

1. Ellie Epke lost to 1. Jessica Turnbull 11-5, 10-12, 10-12, 12-10, 4-11

2. Rebecca Barnett def Grace McErvale 11-3, 11-1, 11-3

3. Abbie Palmer def 3. Natalie Newton 11-3, 11-8, 11-7

Full draw/results... http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=5C20E63D-0B12-477A-8FCB-D928B8FABE94&draw=50

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