KZN crowned champs again

KWAZULU-NATAL and Central Gauteng emerged victorious in the Jarvis/Kaplan Cup Interprovincial Squash Championships in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.

The men’s final for the Jarvis Cup was dominated by defending champions KZN A, spearheaded by Steve Coppinger and Laurans Anjema, with Western Province fading out of the picture.

Rodney Durbach, the experienced Province No 4, drew first blood as he accounted for Andrew Martin in straight games.

KZN’s import from the Netherlands, Anjema, levelled the tie when he defeated Pierdro Schweertman in four games.

Coppinger, this year’s national champion, who is ranked 24th in the world, was in rampant mood as he disposed of national teammate Shaun le Roux 11-2 11-2 11-2.

It was then left to the captain, Adrian Hansen, to put the final nail in Province’s coffin as he outplayed Zuko Kubukeli 11-6 11-4 11-4 to give the home team their fifth victory in 10 years.

Third place was taken by SACD, followed by Central Gauteng in fourth.

In the women’s tournament, despite losing 8-15 to Northerns on the first day of the event, Central Gauteng A bounced back to beat Province 16-7 in yesterday’s final clash to lift the Kaplan Cup.

Lume Landman had little trouble in beating Sacha West in straight games, but last year’s national champion, Alex Fuller, notched a win for Province by disposing of Cheyna Tucker in straight games.

Playing in her first Kaplan Cup, Heba el Torky, of Egypt, ranked 23rd in the world, managed to subdue Siyoli Waters in four games to give Central Gauteng the edge at 2-1 in matches.

In a tough encounter, Province’s Miranda Lang balanced the scale by edging through 13-11 in the decider against Michelle Kohne, Central Gauteng B’s No 1, who had replaced the injured Mariske Wiese.

The pressure then fell on Elani Landman and Karen Blom, and it was the positive attacking play of Landman who steered Central Gauteng to victory as she outplayed Blom in straight games.

Northerns who registered an easy 17-4 win over Eastern Province A, slipped into second place, followed by Western Province and Eastern Province.