SA Nationals Day 5

SATURDAY 31ST JULY FINALS

Opponent: Farrah Sterne
Province: Northern Gauteng
Seed: No.1
Result: Lost 3-2; 11/5 7/11 11/7 9/11 11/7

As you can tell from the score, it was a tough battle, but today it went in her favour. She got the upper hand in the first game by settling down first, while I tried to just keep the rallies as long as possiblr and not really do anything flashy. She slowed it down to her pace and gained control.

The games I won, I kept the pressure up by using pace to push her behind me and get her out of position, before attacking the ball towards the front corners. The games ahe won, she slowed it down and didn’t let me get infront of her – that’s where I needed to step up the pace again.

In the last game, she got ahead of me first and I looked to take her forward too early and got punished. I gained some momentum again, but was always chasing from behind, which added more pressure. She played a fine game to close is off as the winner. This was my first Nationals final and I know there will be more to come.

Farrah and I will most likely battle it out again in Durban in two weeks time, when I represent Western Province at the Interprovincial Team event. I’ll be more than ready for her then.

SA Nationals Day 4

THURSDAY 29TH JULY SEMI-FINALS

Opponent: Milnay Louw
Province: Western Cape
Seed: No.2
Result: Won 3-1; 11/3 3/11 11/4 11/9

I felt relaxed in the hours leading up to the game, but got very nervous at the start of the match. Fortunatety, I soon settled down and felt more at ease when I placed the ball where I needed it to bounce, instead of hitting it at 100km/hr without precision.

The second game is one I woud like to forget, as I slipped back into my old ways of losing focus too quickly. I gained more confidence as the match continued, I played more steady squash and was happy to here the ref say, “Game. Match to Siyoli Waters.”

Thanks to all the supporters who cheered today, which included my gorgeous hubby, the SAPS squash players and Old-Capetonian friends who now reside in Jozi.

SATURDAY 31ST JULY FINALS

Opponent: Farrah Sterne
Province: Northern Gauteng
Seed: No.1

For the finals, I’ll stick to the same game plan, minus the loosing concentration part.
Bring it on!!

SA Nationals: Day 3

WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY QUARTER-FINALS

Opponent: Juanette Le Roux
Province: Western Cape
Seed: 5th/8th position
Result: Won 3-0; 11/1 11/3 11/3

I went on with a game plan to be aggressive and play the ball early. It seemed to do the trick, as my opponent didn’t appear to handle the pace of the game very well. All in all, I’m pleased to have walked away with a 3-0 win. I will continue with a similar approach in the semi finals.

THURSDAY 29TH JULY SEMI-FINALS

Opponent: Milnay Louw
Province: Western Cape
Seed: No.2

My opponent is currently ranked No.2 in the country and I am ranked 4th. Tomorrow is a game we both want to win, as it will determine who will be ranked No.1 in our Western Province team to compete in a Nationals team event from 9th-13th August in Durban.

SA Nationals: Day 2

TUESDAY 27TH JULY

Opponent: Minato Stoltz
Province: Northern Province
Seed: 9th/16th position
Result: Won 3-0: 11/5 11/3 11/2

I felt good on court, especially trying to adjust to the altitude. I’ve got to watch my back-hand drop, by aiming a little higher. Lost my points on silly errors there.

WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY

Opponent: Juanette Le Roux
Province: Western Cape
Seed: 5th/8th position

SA Nationals: Day 1

MONDAY 26TH JULY

The games got underway at Wanderers Squash Club, but the top 4 seeds are through to the next round by getting Byes.

Seed No.1: Farrah Sterne (Pretoria / Northen Gauteng)
Seed No.2: Milnay Louw (Cape Town / Western Province)
Seed No.3/4: Siyoli Waters (Cape Town / Western Province)
Seed No.3/4: Cheyna Tucker (Johannesburg / Gauteng)

TUESDAY 27TH JULY

Opponent: Minato Stoltz
Province: Northern Province

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – JOHANNESBURG

26TH – 31ST JULY, WANDERERS SQUASH CLUB

This week will see the country’s best men and women battle it out for the coveted National Champion Title. My first match will be on Monday. I’ll put up the draw when it becomes available.

Watch this space!!!

JARVIS/KAPLAN INTER-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP (9TH – 13TH AUGUST, DURBAN)

Western Province will be looking to retain their Championship Title in 2010. The WP Men’s A Team won the Jarvis Cup and the WP Women A won the Kaplan Cup. This year I will be captain to our Women’s A Team, which will see three of last year’s players included in the squad of 5. We look forward to a turbulent week of squash.