Women repeat superchampions
The Te Awamutu Women’s C Grade Squash team demonstrated once again why they are the top Waikato team, winning their division of the District Superchampions Team Event for the second year running.
This annual competition, which gives clubs the opportunity to compete for the title of strongest team in the district for each respective grade category, had Te Awamutu Squash Club feature prominently with the Women’s C Grade team taking out their division, along with the two Men’s D Grade teams placing runners-up and top four in this year’s event.
Following their strong performances last year at both the District and National Superchampion Events, the Women’s C grade team of Jude Nightingale, Renae Boyden, Kylie Morrison, Sharon Abernethy, Dakota Attewell and Amy Nightingale were eager to reclaim their title after heading into the competition as the second ranked team.
A persuasive 3-2 team performance thanks to wins from Renae Boyden, Kylie Morrison and Dakota Attewell over the third-ranked Hamilton Squash Club was exactly the start Te Awamutu was looking for in its first round robin match.
Building on this momentum and past play-off experience, the women had high hopes heading into their finals match against the top ranked United Matamata team.
The nail-biting encounter, in which the lead swing back and forth throughout all five matches, with strong performances from all team members, was eventually secured 3-2 by Te Awamutu.
They had to wait for the final match, where in a calm and composed performance by the fifth seeded and youngest player, 14-year-old Dakota Attewell convincingly won 3-0.
The win qualifies the Te Awamutu team for their third National Superchampions Team event in as many years. The team is grateful to Cliff Nightingale for his ongoing commitment to the C grade women’s team, coaching them to a top two finish for the third year running.
In the men’s competition, Te Awamutu was strong enough to field two D grade teams, both finishing in the top four in a strongly contested seven division draw.
Going in as the top ranked team, the Te Awamutu D Grade A team was hoping to claim a second District Superchampion Team win for the local club.
Confident following strong performances throughout pool play and in their semi-final against fellow club members from the Te Awamutu D grade B team, the A team had to settle for runners-up after losing their final to a well deserving United Matamata team which was too strong on the day.
Te Awamutu D grade B also did well to finish top four, after going into the competition as the sixth ranked team.
They dropped only two matches throughout, against the winners and runners-up and have plenty to celebrate when reflecting on their performances.