Masterton bettered their seeding, finishing a credible fourth at National C Grade Women’s SuperChamps in Timaru last weekend.
Masterton were seeded sixth going into the national teams’ championship but defied that ranking with three wins over the first three rounds.
An upset 3–2 victory over third seeds Invercargill got Masterton off to the perfect start. Further 3–2 wins over Timaru and Greymouth had Masterton on target for a place in the final, but a 4–1 loss to eventual champions SquashGym Palmerston North confined them to the third-fourth play-off.
Lakes Squash Rotorua, however, proved too strong, running out comfortable 4–1 victors.
The outstanding performer for Masterton was Helen Gibbs, who was unbeaten in her five matches, winning her first three matches without dropping a game and only losing three games over the tournament.
Masterton had qualified for the nationals by winning the Wellington SuperChamps in July.
