Wellington, Bay of Plenty claim national titles

Canterbury’s Oliver Johnston (left) volleys against Wellington’s Oliver Dunbar during the final...
Canterbury’s Oliver Johnston (left) volleys against Wellington’s Oliver Dunbar during the final at the Otago Squash Club. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Wellington reversed their luck and Bay of Plenty continued to dominate at the New Zealand inter-districts teams championships in Dunedin at the weekend.

Wellington won the men’s title after being the 2023 runners-up and Bay of Plenty won their third consecutive women’s title.

After losing to Canterbury last year, Wellington took men’s bragging rights on a countback after the final was split at two matches apiece.

Michael McCarroll won the decisive game, despite losing the final match against Scott Butterick 3-1, and No1 Evan Williams, who played for Wellington when they last won in 2017, led the Wellington effort.

Williams, a former world No67 and New Zealand No2 behind Paul Coll, was too strong for Joe Williams.

Bay of Plenty, who won their sixth title in eight years, defeated Central Districts 3-1 in the women’s final.

Central’s Danielle Cooley won a tough five-set game against Bay of Plenty No1 Abbie Palmer to claim her team’s point in the final.

Bay of Plenty look to be in good hands for the future with teenagers Ella Hill and Emma Mearson, who were part of the New Zealand junior squad that played in the world teams event in Houston earlier this year, and Erin Wylie, the defending North Island under-19 champion.

Otago were seeded ninth (women) and 10th (men) heading into the weekend, and finished one spot above their seedings.

Otago men beat Eastern Districts in a thrilling encounter that was won on a points countback.

After the games were all split, Otago won 158-154 on points to finish ninth, thanks to Brad Suddaby and Shaun Funnell, who won four-set games.

Otago’s women made a clean sweep of Eastern Districts, winning 4-0 to finish in eighth.