BIG TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 15, 19 January 1939, Page 12

BIG TENNIS.

CHAMPIONS MEET. WILDING SHIELD CHALLENGE. CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND. Practically the cream of Xew Zealand's male tennis player* conipeted this afternoon at the Stanley Street grass eourte when Auckland, which successfully retained the trophy a strong Waikato challenge last month, defended tne Wilding Shield against a challenging Canterbury team. Five of the players to-day hold, or have held national titles, while six of them reached the quarter-finals in the recent New Zealand championship*. Public interest centred chiefly in the result* of singlee matches in which At D. Brown, C. Angas, J. W. Gunn and J. T. Mayeou took part. The challengers were without tbe ser-f vices of H. A. Barnett, runner-up in the New Zealand championships and H. Dyniond, but thie year have A. D. Brown, former New Zealand chair pion and present holder of the Auckland title, in their ranks. The Canterbury captain, C. Angas, hae a remarkably fine record in Wilding Shield tennis, never having suffered a defeat and having lost but one set in a long period of yeare. H. G. Pattineon, who is playing in the Canterbury team for the first time, is remembered for his fine showing in Auckland in the 1937-38 championships when he wat defeated in the final by A. D. Brown. He reached the quarterfinals in both the Canterbury and New Zealand championship* recently. The southerners , fourth member is A. R. Cant, who has represented his province since 1935. For Auckland, J. T. Mayeon was considered unlucky not to have won the New Zealand championship singles at Christchurch recently. He wae eliminated by Edwards, eventual winner in the semi-finals. J. W. Gunn and X. F. Bedford took the doubles titles there and N. G. Sturt, partnering Miss M. H. Hardcaetle, was (successful in the mixed doubles event. The matchee to-day and to-morrow promise to be the most interesting in the history of the Wilding Shield. Canterbury held the shield for four years, withstanding ninny challenges before Auckland captured the trophy laet seaeon. First Blood To Canterbury. Canterbury drew first blood in the tournament in a match in which R. G. Pattineon carried the day by 6—o, 6—3, his score being a fair indication of the extent of his victory against N. G. Sturt, Auckland. Pattinson's placements ,were excellent in what was chiefly a backline game, and Sturt, who was much below his usual form, had difficulty in knowing where he had to go. In the second set Stu-t made a recovery, but after it str d at 3-all, he dropped back to allow Pattinson to win the other three games comfortably. All-round play distinguished Pattinson. whose backhand and forehand work was of a high standard, though his services were not his strong point. Sturt showed decided weaknesses in most departments and was obviously off his game. Bedford Beats Cant. Bedford's victory over Cant was a lesson in what speed can do. Though forced to travel from one side of the court to the other to handle Cant's placements, he had little difficulty. For all that, he forced the pace on his opponent, particularly at the end of the second set. Cant showed great judgment in putting the balls where he chose, and he was considerably unlucky to be beaten in* straight sets in a match in which he tried all the way. There was a fair attendance for a first day. A strong crose-wind made play difficult. ReeuHe were:— SINGLES. R. G. Pattineon (Canterbury) beat X. G. Sturt (Auckland), 6—o, 6—3. N. F. Bedford (Auckland) beat A. R. Cunt (Canterbury), 6—4, 6—4.