Top Seeds Take Doubles Titles

The top seeds prevailed at the Big Barrell New Zealand Doubles Squash Championships at the weekend.

The top seeds prevailed at the Big Barrell New Zealand Doubles Squash Championships at SquashGym in Palmerston North at the weekend.

Pre tournament favourites Joseph Watts and Mike McSherry justified their seeding with an impressive victory in the men's event while Danielle Fourie and Rebecca Barnett were triumphant in the women's.

Watts and McSherry (Palmerston North) proved too strong for Zac Millar (Wellington) and Todd Redman (Napier) in the final, making virtually no errors and hitting a number of winners on the way to an 11-9 11-6 win. The local pair are no strangers to national titles, having been part of the Palmerston North team that won the Cousins Shield in 2009. McSherry is also a former New Zealand Masters Champion although he has a limited playing schedule these days.  However, he said he and Watts will definitely be back to defend their title next year.

That's not the only thing on Watts' mind for next year.

"The World Doubles Champs and Commonwealth Games are on in 2014 and pushing for positions in these squads is definitely a goal of mine, I would love to get a call up to the National squad" said Watts.

Meanwhile, Palmerston North's Danielle Fourie and Massey University student Rebecca Barnett had to work harder to snare their title.  The top seeds bounced back from a game down to beat Auckland pair Jo Shanks and Jutta Tuunanen 10-11, 11-6, 11-7.

It was two titles for Rebecca Barnett, as she teamed up with Zac Millar in the mixed division.  The pair beat Jo Shanks and Napier's Bryce Redman to take the title.

Results

Men

1. Joseph Watts/Mike McSherry def 2. Zac Millar/Todd Redman 11-9, 11-6

Women

1. Danielle Fourie/Rebecca Barnett def 2. Jo Shanks/Jutta Tuunanen 10-11, 11-6, 11-7

Mixed

1. Zac Millar/Rebecca Barnett def 3. Bryce Redman/Jo Shanks 11-8, 11-8