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Samoa, 27-Aug to 07 Sep 2007
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08-Sep-07:
And finally ... the Doubles
Carol Kawaljenko reports
On the first day of the Squash Doubles competition spectators were
out in force to watch the Womens, Mens and Mixed Doubles
Competition. This is the first time Doubles has been included in the
Squash program at the South Pacific Games and many had not seen a
doubles match previously.
Rounds 1 & 2 were played on Wednesday and right from the first match
players proved that being the best individual player is not
necessarily a good recipe for a doubles player. Several of the No. 2
teams won their matches, whereas their No. 1 teams faltered on the
first match. The first day’s play proved to be a marathon day for
players and officials alike with matches commencing at 9am and
finishing at 12.30am the next morning!
Samoa has proved to be a formable team on home soil, surpassing
their English born coach, Paul Wright, expectations winning through
to the Gold Medal Match in both the Womens and Mens Events and
playing off for the Bronze Medal in the Mixed Event. President of
Samoa Squash, Etuale Sefo, is very proud of Samoa’s achievement,
especially his wife Alyson who has played in the tournament and then
played host to visiting teams in the evening with a home cooked
meal.
The Mixed Doubles Event has been a very exciting event with Samoa 1
taking the Bronze Medal Match against PNG 2 earlier today. With
temperatures rising the Gold Medal Match was a long hard tussle
between PNG 1 and Fiji 1 taking over 80 minutes. Playing in his
first Pacific Games, the youngest player of the tournament, Madako
Suari Jnr, teamed up with one of the most experienced campaigners,
Naluge Guy for PNG, to take the first 2 games. However Fiji 1 fought
back to win the next 3 games and take home the Gold Medal.
In the Womens Doubles Event the Samoan 2 team, Alyson Sefo and
Iokapeta Sialaoa, played steadily knocking out the top seed PNG 1
and winning through to the Semi Final against the No.2 New
Caledonian team. The Semi Final proved just as exciting with Alyson
and Iokapeta forging their way through to the Gold Medal Match. PNG
2 took the Bronze Medal from New Caledonia 2 in straight games.
Samoa came out in force to watch the ladies final and the viewing
gallery was packed with blue and white. Fijian, Rita Takiveikata,
who was Gold Medalist in the Mixed Event backed up with her partner
Wati Ledua to contest the Womens Gold. The formable Samoan duo
proved that home crowd support really works and they powered home in
3 straight games to take the Gold Medal.
In the Mens Doubles Event New Caledonia, Samoa and Fiji are once
again showing their strength. Matches have been hard and fast with
Samoa 1 and New Caledonia 1 winning their way through to the Gold
Medal Match. The Bronze Medal Match was a hard fought match, between
New Caledonia 2 and Fiji 1, with New Caledonia coming out victorious
3 games to 2 in a match taking over 1 hour. The Gold Medal Match was
contested by Samoa 1 and New Caledonia 1 with New Caledonia
victorious.
Considering several of the participating countries don’t have
doubles courts to hone their skills, the standard of play has been
very good. After 9 days of play most of the players are keen to
complete their matches and have some well earned rest. Goodbye from
the South Pacific Games in Samoa and we hope to be back on the air
in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in 2009.
Tofa soifua.
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RESULTS
Ladies Doubles
SEMI FINALS
Alyson Sefo/Iokapeta Sialaoa (Samoa) bt Marie Pierre Leca/Gina Duong
(New Caledonia) 15-11,13-15,15-13
Wati Ledua/Rita Takiveikata (Fiji) bt Kristine Seko/Bridgette Matrus
(PNG) 11-15,15-7,15-11
FINALS
Alyson Sefo/Iokapeta Sialaoa (Samoa) bt Wati Ledua/Rita Takiveikata
(Fiji) 15-8,15-12,15-5
Medalists
GOLD – Alyson Sefo/Iokapeta Sialaoa (Samoa)
SILVER – Wati Ledua/Rita Takiveikata (Fiji)
BRONZE – Kristine Seko/Bridgette Matrus (PNG)
Mixed Doubles
SEMI FINALS
Warren Yee/Rita Takiveikata (Fiji) bt Eli Webb/Lokes Brooksbank (PNG)
12-15,15-12,15-14
Naluge Guy/Madako Suari Jnr (PNG) bt Samantha Marflett/Ivan Chew Lit
(Samoa) 15-13,11-15,15-6
FINAL
Warren Yee/Rita Takiveikata (Fiji) bt Naluge Guy/Madako Suari Jnr (PNG)
9-15,10-15,15-13,15-11,15-12
Medalists
GOLD – Warren Yee/Rita Takiveikata (Fiji)
SILVER – Naluge Guy/Madako Suari Jnr (PNG)
BRONZE – Warren Yee/Rita Takiveikata (Fiji)
Mens Doubles
SEMI FINAL
Norman Wetzell/Ivan Chew Lit (Samoa) bt Warren Yee/Sonalmeet Nagra
(Fiji) 15-7,12-15,15-7
Laurent Guepy/Gael Gosse (New Caledonia) bt Robert Stirrup/Fabian
Dihn (New Caledonia) 15-9,15-11
FINAL
Laurent Guepy/Gael Gosse (New Caledonia) bt Norman Wetzell/Ivan Chew
Lit (Samoa) 15-11,15-14
Medalists
GOLD – Laurent Guepy/Gael Gosse (New Caledonia)
SILVER – Norman Wetzell/Ivan Chew Lit (Samoa)
BRONZE – Robert Stirrup/Fabian Dihn (New Caledonia) |
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05-Sep-07:
Gold for Guy & Yee ...
Carol Kawaljenko reports
Papua New Guinea were victorious
in the Ladies Individual Final with No. 1 seeded Naluge Guy
defeating the No. 2 seed Tepua Russell from Cook Islands.
From the outset of the first game, Naluge dominated the match with
minimal errors. Tepua battled gallantly but had no answer to counter
attack Naluge’s precision and strength. Nalgue took out the match in
21 minutes, three games to none.
Eli Webb (PNG) dominated the Ladies Bronze Medal match and
convincingly defeated Rita Takiiveikata (Fiji) in three
straight games to once again take home the bronze medal.
The Mens Individual Final was a hard fought battle between No. 1
seed Warren Yee (Fiji) and No. 2 seed, Laurent Guepy
(New Caledonia). Warren took the first two games and looked to be an
easy winner. However, with typical fighting spirit, Laurent came
back to win the next two games forcing the match to decider. With
both player exhausted from the Samoan heat and humidity, the fifth
game was tense with a lot of handouts to 4 all, then Warren took
full control, securing the match 9-5 in 56 minutes.
The Mens Bronze Medal play-off was a all New Calendonia affair with
Gael Gosse and Robert Stirrup fighting it out. Robert
proved too strong for Gael on the day and won the match three games
to one.
Ladies
Final:
Naluge Guy (PNG) bt Tepua Russell (Cook Islands)
9-3,9-1,9-5
Ladies Bronze Medal Play-Off:
Eli Webb (PNG) bt Rita Takiveikata (Fiji)
9-5,10-8,9-0
Mens Final:
Warren Yee (Fiji) bt Laurent Guepy (New Caledonia)
9-6,9-3,3-9,7-9,9-5
Mens Bronze Medal Play-Off:
Robert Stirrup (New Cal) bt Gael Gosse (New Cal)
9-5,4-9,9-7,9-7
04-Sep-07:
Naluge & New Caledonia dominate the singles ...
Carol Kawaljenko reports
The Individual Events are well underway at the SPG2007.
Unfortunately sickness has taken a toll of several countries and
their players have either had to pull out or if they have taken to
the court, they have not been able to play their best game.
Naluge Guy of Papua New Guinea has dominated the ladies
event, coming through the event without dropping a game. Naluge will
play Tepua Russell from the Cook Islands in the finals match
later today to decide the winner of the Gold & Silver medals. Eli
Webb (Papua New Guinea) and Rita Takiveikata (Fiji) will
battle it out for the Bronze medal.
New Caledonia has dominated the mens event with a guarantee 2
medals. Laurent Guepy will battle it out with Warren Yee
of Fiji for the Gold and Silver and fellow New Cals, Gael Gosse
and Robert Stirrup will play off for the Bronze medal.
In the plate events Jobenz Manoa and Alan Schwalger, both from
Samoa, will play off for the plate event in the Mens Individual
event. whilst Deidre Fuimaono of Samoa and Wati Ledua from Fiji will
contest the Ladies Plate Event.
En Français |
Women's Podium
Men's Medallista
The Referees
Proud PNG Coach
On Sunday the players had a well deserved day off at a Beach Party
hosted by Samoa Squash.
A great opportunity to take a break from squash to have a friendly
game of beach volleyball.
Players and officials alike revelled a day of relaxation and
swimming in the pristine waters of the Pacific. |
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More from the
New Caledonians in SiteSquash.com
Individual Results:
Semi Finals
Warren Chin (Fiji) bt Gael Gosse (New Cal)
9-6,9-4,9-2
Laurent Guepy (New Cal) bt Robert Stirrup (New Cal)
9-10,3-9,9-1,9-7,9-4
Naluge Guy (PNG) bt Eli Webb (PNG)
9-0.9-0.9-0
Tepua Russell (Cook Isl) bt Rita Takiveikata (Fiji)
9-1,9-2,9-7
Quarter Finals
Warren Yee (Fiji) bt Fabian Dinh (New Cal)
9-2,0-9,9-3,9-2
Gale Gosse (New Cal) bt Andrew McGoon (Fiji)
9-6,6-9,9-4,1-9,9-4
Robert Stirrup (New Cal) bt Etienne Marziac (New Cal)
9-4,9-6,9-4
Laurent Guepy (New Cal) bt Sonalmeet Nagra (Fiji)
9-3,9-1,3-9,9-2
Naluge Guy (PNG) bt Gina Duong (New Cal)
9-5,9-5,9-2
Eli Webb (PNG) bt Christine Deneufbourg (New Cal)
9-3,6-9,9-3,5-9,9-5
Rita Takiveikata (Fiji) bt Samantha Marfleet (Samoa)
10-9,9-7,9-2
Tepua Russell (Cook Isl) bt Marie Pierre Leca (New Cal)
9-2,9-0,9-0 |
New Caledonia |
Medals awards |
Papua New Guinea |
31-Aug-07:
VIVA Nouvelle-Caledonie!!
Carol Kawaljenko reports
New Caledonia stood proud and tall on the podium last night and they
had plenty to celebrate. For the first time ever the New Caledonian
me'ns team won the Gold Medal, and to make victory even sweeter
their women's team backed up with a splendid Silver Medal.
The New Cal mens team proved too strong for their opposition and by
the end of Round 4 they had a strong hold on the Gold Medal. Fiji
No. 4, Gabriel Lum On, although injured the previous day, fought on
for his team securing their Silver Medal. Unfortunately Norfolk
Island, the early favourites for a medal, have been struck down by
the flu which is running rampage through the athletes at the Games
and although their players took to the court it was obvious that
illness had taken its toll and they struggled just to complete their
matches.
In the Women's Event Papua New Guinea were clearly the Gold
Medalists with an unbeatable position going into Round 5. The tie of
the day was between the eventual Silver and Bronze medallists, New
Caledonia and Samoa. With only 2 points separating them at the end
of Round 4 both teams were determined to put in their best efforts
for the team on the final day of play. Both teams fought on
gallantly taking 2 matches each, but New Caledonia, spurred on by
their male counterparts, were not letting go to their Silver medal .
Congratulations must also go to Samoa who did their country proud,
taking to the podium in both the Men's and Women's Ceremony, winning
bronze in both Events. They fought hard in all their matches and
they should be very proud of their achievements on home soil.
The Individual Events commence today with the Finals to be held on
Tuesday. |
SCHEDULE:
27-30: Teams
31-04: Singles
05-07: Doubles
Fijian Silver
Samoan Bronze
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Photo Gallery from David Navarre, New Caledonia
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30-Aug-07:
Team Golds for PNG
and New Caledonia
Round 4 of Teams Competition has been completed. The New Caledonia /
Somoa tie proved to be an attraction for the locals, with the
galleries packed to capacity and the cheer squads there is full
voice. Somoan Head of State, His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi
and his lady, Masiofo Filia Tamasese joined in encouraging the local
players. His Highness, a squash player himself, was very keen to
watch as much squash as possible and hopes to be able to visit again
several times during the Games.
The Papua New Guinea Womens Team, the No. 1 ranked team in the
Womens Competiton, sealed their Gold Medals with a resounding defeat
of New Caledonia, whose men captured the gold medal with a 4/0
defeat of Samoa.
Results for Round 4
Mens - Fiji bt Norfolk Island 4-0, New Caledonia bt Samoa 4-0
Ladies - PNG bt New Caledonia 3-1, Cook Islands bt Fiji 3-1
Hot & Humid in Samoa
Carol Kawaljenko reports
Team matches continue at the South Pacific Games with Round 3
completed today. The event has proved testing for players and
officials with temperatures inside the Centre around 30 degrees
celsius with 80% humidity.
Epic battle today between the Fiji an & Samoan Women's Teams, with
Samoa prevailing 9 games to 8 with the tie lasting over 3.5 hours.
Australian born Fiji Coach, Dean Landy, said this is probably the
end of Fiji’s bronze medal hopes, but is extremely pleased of the
way the girls played. The final rubber was 10-8 in the 5th game with
Fiji No. 3 player having held 3 match points.
This evening ‘s tie between the New Caledonian & Fijian Men's Teams
was again a hard fought battle, taking just over 3.5 hours. It was a
tough match for the No.1’s, Laurent Guepy (New Caledonia) and Warren
Yee (Fiji) going down the wire with Warren finally taking the match
9-10, 9-2, 2-9, 9-5,9-5. However the other New Cal players stepped
up and gave New Cal a 3-1 win.
Cook Islands gave Norfolk Island a real scare, nearly upsetting the
No. 1 ranked Men's Team.
Results to date:
Women's Team Event
Round 1:
New Caledonia bt Fiji 3-1, Papua New Guinea bt Samoa 4-0
Round 2:
Samoa bt Cook Islands 3-1, Papua New Guinea bt Fiji 4-0
Round 3:
Samoa bt Fiji 2-2, New Caledonia bt Cook Islands 3-1
Men's Team Event
Round 1:
Fiji bt Samoa 3-1, New Caledonia bt Cook Islands 4-0
Round 2:
Samoa bt Cook Islands 4-0, New Caledonia bt Norfolk I. 4-0
Round 3:
Norfolk I. bt Cook Islands 2-2, New Caledonia bt Fiji 3-1.
The Australian referee team of 3 are averaging 12 hours per day in
these hot and trying conditions and looking forward to Wednesday’s
play when there are only 2 rounds, rather than 3 as has been the
first 2 days of play.
Samoa for South Pacific Games
85 competitors from six countries will be participating in the
squash event of the XIIIth South Pacific Games in Samoa.
hey will be playing in the new facilities at Faleata Sports Complex
as part of the Gymnasium number 2 complex where the Basketball
competition is being held.
These brand new, beautifully appointed courts will lend itself to a
high standard of competition and with a Glass back wall will enable
spectators to get an excellent view of all the action.
Countries taking part in Squash will include:
Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Papua New
Guinea, Samoa.
Competition will start with the team competition, then singles
events, and conclude with the doubles competition. |
Sam Lolagi
(Competitions Manager) with His Highness, Masiofo & Col Clapper
Laurent Guepy
(New Cal) relaxes
"Injury time out!" 
Technical Officials Sightseeing |
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Squash News direct from Samoa |
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Fiji Ladies & coach Dean Landy |
New Caledonia Ladies |
The PNG Team |
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Faleata Squash &
Badminton Centre |
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