van der Salm Snares South Island Title

Chris van der Salm joined Megan Craig on the winners' dais at the South Island Championships in Nelson

Midlands teenager Chris van der Salm has upstaged his more seasoned rivals to take out the South Island Squash Championship title in Nelson.

van der Salm has shrugged off the fatigue of winning his two previous matches in five games to beat top seed Shaun Madden in four games in the final.  The 18-year-old bounced from a game down to beat Madden 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9 in the title decider.

Meanwhile, Megan Craig has completed the tournament without dropping a game in the women's draw, although the world number 52 was given a good workout by former New Zealand junior rep Kerry Wickett in the final.  The two players entertained the gallery with some high quality squash before Craig eventually emerged victorious, 11-7, 13-11, 11-9.

Results

Men

Final

2. Chris van der Salm def 1. Shaun Madden 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9

Third place playoff

3. Shane Johnston def 4. Grant Craig 11-3, 12-10, 11-9

Women

1. Megan Craig def 2. Kerry Wickett 11-7, 13-11, 11-9

Third place playoff

3. Erin Ellery def 4. Emma Sim 11-9, 15-17, 11-9, 11-4