Auckland Doubles @ Howick Squash Club

Steve Chaplin from Howick Squash Club

38 teams are set to compete in the 2019 Auckland Doubles tournament at Howick Squash Club this week, with matches beginning on Thursday (17 Oct) evening and running through until the Men's and Women's Open finals on Saturday (19 Oct) at 6pm.

The Men's Open draw boasts an impressive lineup of 14 teams, led by the top pairing of Tauranga's Ben Grindrod teaming up with Herne Bay's Chris Lloyd, while NZ junior reps Leo Fatialofa (Henderson) and Glenn Templeton (Tauranga) will partner hoping to claim the title for themselves. Also in the draw is 2018 NZ Commonwealth Games team member Lance Beddoes who partners with Henderson teammate Jordan Tiplady.

The Women's Open will see four teams face off in a round robin battle, with the potential decider between the top two seeded teams sure to be a blockbuster which will pit 2018 National Doubles champions Abbie Palmer & Ellie Epke against the resurgent Lana Harrison and Jo Shanks pairing.

Palmer & Beddoes team up in the Mixed Open and will be tough to beat as the current National Doubles champs, but the Shanks/Grindrod and Harrison/Fatialofa pairs will be out to cause an upset and knock them from that mantle.

All matches will be played on the full-sized doubles courts.

Spectators are welcome to head along and take in some of the action.