Whanganui's Matthew Ratcliffe fought off rising star Brodie Bennett of Tararua in a hard 4 setter to take the 2023 Central Open Mens title for the first time in his squash career. Meanwhile Eastern youngster Kiera Thompson took out the women's title over Ohakune's talented Grace Burnard.
Ratcliffe had taken two losses to Bennett in recent weeks with the impressive 15 year old taking down some big names recently as he climbs his way through B grade. As they met once again for the Central Open Men's final it started out looking like Bennett would out run Ratcliffe's game but heading into the second set Ratcliffe's shots got better and better and eventually he took the match in a hard fought 4 sets.
Over on the women's side of the draw it was a battle of the youngsters with the two 17 year olds Kiera Thompson from Squash Eastern playing Ohakune's Grace Burnard for the Central Open Women's title. The girls were closely matched but Kiera eventually took the win in 4 sets.
The Men's division 1 winner Whanganui's Samson Power was a standout in his field also taking 3 wins and making it look easy to take the division win. Full results from the Central Open were:
Winner – Matt Ratcliffe
Runner Up – Brodie Bennett
Special Plate – Michael Laws
Plate – Jack CornforthConsolation Plate – Liam BurnardWinner – Kiera ThompsonRunner Up – Grace BurnardPlate – Elizabeth LawsWinner – Samson PowerRunner Up – Willy BurySpecial Plate – Treye EriksenPlate – Grant WilsonConsolation Plate – Cade EriksenWinner – Aroha BeattieRunner Up – Aimee BrewsterPlate – Nat LaneWinner – Sonny RahekeRunner Up – Liam McMillanPlate – Pauline ChapmanConsolation Plate – Keegan BousteadWinner – Khan DuckettRunner Up – Shane EnglandPlate – Andrew BurnardWinner – Arawhiu CrawfordRunner Up – Rebecca HewittPlate – Jade LeithWinner – Nick LawsRunner Up – Jake Hewitt Winner – Hamish Hoani-DonnellyRunner Up – Alex Hewetson
