Squash: National title ninth in a row for Steel

Paul Steel claimed his ninth consecutive national squash title when he won the men's championship on his home court in Whakatane yesterday.

The 30-year-old accounted for Ashburton's Daniel Sharplin in four sets, the fourth time in succession the pair have met in the national final.

Christchurch's Sarah Cook had too much class in defending the women's title, beating Auckland's Lara Petera in straight sets.

It's been a remarkable 12 months for Cook, who gave birth to a son in between winning two national titles.

Steel returned from his base in Switzerland, where he is player-coach for a major club in Zug, near Zurich, for a crack at his ninth title.

"They have all been special, but it is doubly special to win here in my home town and on the courts I learned the game," Steel said.

It is the 10th national final in succession for the 30-year-old, who lost the 1991 final to Glen Wilson before beginning his winning streak.

While based overseas, Steel has returned annually for the national championships.

- NZPA