Decisive Win For Mt. Maunganui

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14927, 15 March 1949, Page 2

Decisive Win For Mt. Maunganui

Tennis Challenge At

Katikati

Morton Cup Annexed By

13 To 3

(Times Correspondent)

In a challenge match for the Morton Cup, played at Katikati durifig the weekend, the Mount Maunganui tennis team decisively defeated Homewood (the holders) by thirteen matches to three: Despite the wide margin in the matches, many of the games were closely contested. Eight matches went to three sets before- being finalised and some tennis of a high standard was witnessed. Homewood was handicapped by the inability of its first man, B. Jackson, to play but Silcock who played in his position turned on an excellent game against J. J. Steevens taking him to three sets in a contest which produced at times some brilliant tennis. Silcock showed remarkable ability in retrieving and at the same time forced the pace throughout the match. Steevens on the other hand was content to play a waiting game varying his shots with skill and accuracy.

In the remaining men’s singles N. H. Gilies was too consistent for Johnson, winning in straight sets, while Woodcraft found Mitchell’s speedy service and sound overhead work too severe, going down also in straight sets. A. C. Hardy scored a hard-earned victory for Mount Maunganui when he defeated J. Nagle in three sets.

The Mount Maunganui women players won three of their four singles, three matches going to three sets. Mrs Edmunds was too sound all round for Miss A. Rapley, while Mrs Woodcraft completely outclassed the promising young player Miss Gladding in the third set of their match. Mrs Clarke played dogged ~tennis to defeat Miss Black. Some of the best tennis of the day was seen in the doubles, particularly in the men’s matches, which produced first class tennis. Giles and Woodcraft staged a'remarkable recovery after being 2-5 down in the third sot, to win 9-7 while the Steevens-Hardy combination maintained its unbeaten record scoring in two straight sets. This pair which, years ago, represented the Bay of Plentv, have never yet been defeated in doubles. Mesdames Edmunds and Mickleson recovered from 1-5 down in the third and vital set to snatch victory from the top Homewood women 7-5 in a match that produced some brilliant lobbing particularly by the winners. Detailed results were (Mount Maunganui players being mentioned first in each case): — Women’s Singles: Miss Edmunds beat Miss A. Rapley 6-4, 6-1; Mrs Mickleson lost to Miss Brake 2-G, 0-2, 1-0; Mrs Woodcraft beat Miss Gladding 6-4, 4-6, 6-0; Mrs Clarke beat Miss Black 0-4, 3-0, 0-4. Men’s Singles: J. J. Sleevens beat L. Silcock 5-0, 0-2, 6-3;, N. H. Giles beat I. Johnson 6-5, 0-2; 11. Woodcraft lost to 3. Mitchell 3-0. 4-0: A. C. Hardy beat J. Nagle 4-0, 0-3, 0-3. Women’s Doubles: Mesdames Edmunds and Mickleson beat Misses Rapley and Brake 3-6. 6-1, 7-5; Mesdomes Woodcraft and Clarke beat Misses Gladding and Black 6-1, 6-4. Men’s Doubles: Steevens and Hardy beat. Silcock and Johnson 6-3, 6-4; Giles and Woodcraft beat Mitchell and Nagle 3-6, 6-1, 9-7. Mixed doubles. Steevens and Mrs Edmunds beat Silcock and Miss Rapley 6-3. 6-5: Giles and Mrs Woodcraft beat Mitchell and Miss Brake 6-0, 6-2; Hardy and Mrs Mickleson lost to Nagle and Miss Glading 2-6, 4-6; Woodcraft and Mrs beat Johnson and Miss Black by default. Mount Maunganui 13 matches (27 sets), Homewood three matches (12 sets).