HARD COURT TENNIS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 108, 8 May 1943, Page 8

HARD COURT TENNIS

EASTER TOURNEY REVIEW L. MUMFORD IN TWO FINALS (By COURTCRAFT) By winning the women's doubles in company with Rosemary Hodges, and the mixed 'doubles with Jack Leng, Miss Evelyn Attwood completed a treble at the Easter hardcourt tournament which was finalised over last week-end at the Mount Eden Tennis Club's courts. Warren Huckstep and Miss L. Mumford created somewhat of a surprise in one semi-final by defeating Bryce Baxter and Rosemary Hodges (holders), 3—6, B—6, 7 —5. The contest did not reach a high standard for a senior event; nevertheless, both sides were retrieving well and playing accurately. Miss Mumford improved as the game's went by, whilst Huckstep was always ready to step in on a loose ball for a' winner. Baxter and his partner were aggressive but not quite so accurate as usual. Miss McDonald Does Well Misses Attwood and R. Hodges were not unduly troubled to win in straight sets from Mrs. Goudie and Miss McDonald, 6—2, 6—3. Miss McDonald was successful in reaching the finals also m the B section singles, and the mixed doubles with D. McDonnell. When Misses Attwood and Hodges played the final against Misses Mumford and Z. Swanson they took the first set so easily (6—l) that the result of the next set also seemed to be a foregone conclusion. However, their opponents fought back so well that they had a lead of 5—3 at one stage, and it appeared that a third set would be necessary. The champions steadied up from their aggressive type of game and became very subdued until they once more were in a position (6 —u) to take chances to complete the next for set and match. Miss Attwood was playing her forceful attacking game, but her partner was making many errors. Both Miss Mumford and Miss Swanson played steady and accurate tennis in the second set; even so they could not match the pace of the winners. Lenpr and Miss Attwood were not pressed to beat Huckstep and Miss Mumford in the final of the mixed doubles, 6 —3, 6—3. Miss Mumford was not quite so steady as on the previous day, whereas Miss Attwood was right on her game. Leng played his usual crafty game, but W. Huckstep did not get as many opportunities to make winners. Three Players Win Twice In the -C section, all finals were completed at the week-end, the winners being:— Singles: B. Sullivan and Miss B. Pollock. Doubles: A. Hodgson and B. Sullivan; Misses Elliott and Pollock; M. Foote and Miss Elliott. ,o;, Sullivan defeated R. E. Tibbs, 6—o, 6 —3, without much trouble and seemed to be in a section too low for his capabilities. This also applied to the men's doubles, which was secured by Sullivan and his partner against W. J. Beech and P. Healey, 7—5, 6—2. The most hard-fought final was that in the mixed doubles between Foote-Miss Elliott and S. McGrath-Miss L. West. The scores, 6—4, 4—6, 9—7 indicate this to some extent, but cannot show the numerous prolonged rallies that occurred. At times a rally would last for several minutes, the ball passing over the net 20 or 30 times, attempts being made all the while at placements and angles. It was an interesting final which the losers should have won, for they were leading 5—2 in the third set. Miss West was steadiness personified, only to see the points frittered away by her partner at the net. Miss West also figured in the women's doubles final, but it must have been her unlucky day, for again she had to be content with second place. She belongs to the Surrey club, and it seems that here is a player who may gain honours in the future.