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Submariner rises to top
By SGT Madonna Doyle
Volume 50, No. 17, September 20, 2007 |
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DOUBLE TAKE: PO David White who won the men’s open and Masters squash titles at RAAF Base Williamtown.
Photo: LACW Sonja Inderwisch |
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Navy’s PO David White, a former submariner, surfaced in a big way to win both the men’s open and Masters titles at the recent Australian Defence squash national championships at RAAF Base Williamtown from August 20 to 24.
PO White became Navy’s first men’s open winner since the formation of ADF Squash in 1986.
The competition attracted 47 players, with 278 matches played over the five days.
Last year PO White, of HMAS Yarra, competed at his first Defence nationals after spending most of his career working on submarines.
Over the past 12 months, having some time on shore, he has been training and competing in Sydney’s Premier League.
“I’m still a bit rusty, having given squash away for so many years, but playing in Sydney has certainly got me on my toes,” PO White said.
In the men’s open round-robin, PO White dropped one game, losing by a point.
The competition was tough, with a few young guns keen to show their talent but in the final, he met the experienced SGT Darryl Ferguson (Air Force).
Spectators witnessed a scintillating display of squash with long rallies, creative shots and amazing agility usually reserved for exhibition matches.
PO White won 3-0 (9-6, 9-2, 9-1).
In the Masters knock-out, PO White beat FSGT Brett Parker in the final, 3-1 (7-9, 9-1, 9-1, 9-2).
CPO Greg McDonnell (Russell Offices) was the star of the A grade event.
CPO McDonnell fought hard in the round-robin matches to earn his place in the final against SGT Dave Perry (Air Force).
CPO McDonnell outplayed his opponent, forcing him to cover a lot of court by mixing the pace with short drops and tight drives.
PO White was re-elected as the vice-president (Navy) of ADS and is keen to encourage new players into the sport. “The Navy may have been more competitive in the inter-Service event if we could have fielded a full team,” he said.
With no female players, Navy were down two matches before a ball had been hit.”
Air Force retained the teams title for the sixth consecutive year.
For full results and photos, visit the AD Squash website at: http://intranet.wlm.ear.drn.defence.mil.au/squash/ |
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