Hansen's bid for seventh title hit by injury

GARY Wheadon, of KwaZulu- Natal, won his first Twizza Rhodes Open squash title when champion Adrian Hansen was forced to retire in the fifth game of their final in Grahamstown at the weekend.

Attempting to win the title for the seventh time, Hansen appeared to pull a hamstring early in the match but continued playing, taking a 2-1 lead before his provincial colleague levelled the match.

Hansen was then forced to concede in a sad ending to a wellcontested encounter.

Wheadon, though, can be commended for his efforts throughout the tournament, winning all his matches 3-0 in the run-in to the final. Commenting on the final, Rhodes squash chairman Paul Sebeikin said: "It was straight after the fourth game when Adrian conceded, saying that he would not be able to keep it together for another game.

"It was amazing that he lasted with an injured hamstring until it was 2-2. There were some incredible rallies with shot counts in excess of 40 or 50."

The women's title went to English player Lauren Siddall, who is studying in South Africa.

She proved too strong for her opposition, not dropping a game during the tournament and defeating Rhodian Caroline Ross in the final.

The tournament proved another success and looks set to continue to play an important role on the EP calendar.

Sebeikin paid tribute to those who had supported the event.

"I want to thank everyone once again on behalf of the Rhodes University Squash Club for the fantastic turnout and all the great support at the Twizza Rhodes Open at the weekend." - Neale Emslie