LAWN TENNIS Rain Affects Play In Senior Men’s Matches

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS Rain Affects Play In Senior Men’s Matches

Only one match was decided—that between South Brighton and Cashmere—when the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s senior men’s competition was continued at Wilding Park on Saturday. Because of the light but steady rain, which by 1 p.m. had considerably dampened the courts, two teams, North Linwood and Woolsjon, decided not to begin at all, but the others made an attempt about 2.30 p.m, getting most of their singles finished before the heavier rain after 4 o’clock made play unpossible. Although the matter has still to be discussed by the association, some players have decided that they will try to get their matches played off during this week, and others think they may have to play after the last intended day of the season. The matches will not Jje able to be played next Saturday because of the show, week-end tournament. Of the matches that were played, St. Marys won two singles and lost one, with one unfinished, against Opawa; University won two singles, and lost one, with one unfinished, against United I; united II won three singles, with one unfinished, against Avonside; and South Brighton won three singles, lost one, and won one double, with one unfinished, against Cashmere. Thus the unfinished double can make no difference to the result of the latter match.

Pattinson Beats Hunter One of those who was better able to cope with the conditions was the veteran $°P mai \ for United I, R. G. Pattinson. With cut on his drives and some very neat drop shots he beat the fprmer Scottish international, A. D. L. Hunter (University) 6-2, 10-8. Hunter, with his heavy build, was unable to cover the court as well as did his more nimble opponent, and with many errors he made little headway in the first set. Pattinson, playing very steadily, drove the ball from side to side and short and deep alternately, waiting for a mistake. In the second set Hunter improved greatly, his jnam scoring shot being a magnificent backhand volley from close to the net. At one stage he led 5-3, but Pattinson evened at 5-5. From then games were won in turn until at 10-8 Pattinson won in fairly heavy rain. Hunter, who doublefaulted several times, was not consistent enough for a player of Pattinson’s calibre. P. M. Wilson and W. Dickson (University) made up for Hunter’s defeat and put the team in a good position. Wilson had too much strength in his drives for the young C. Dawson, and won 6-0, 6-2, after some very stylish shots. The University player kept his opponent continually on the defence behind the baseline with drives deep to the comers. Short returns he cut off with angled volleys. Dawson impressed with his service, the first flat and the second twisted, but both most soundly produced. However, his courtcraft left much to be de-

In the unfinished singles between the two teams, B. R. Penfold, second man for University, won the first set against T. W. Walls, 6-4, lost the second 7-9, and was * ea smg 4-1 in the third. Walls played very well in the second set when he was down 5-6, and took four games frdm his younger and more favoured opponent. He gained his points from well-placed volleys and sideline shots. Penfold, who made ma ny errors for a time, was on top again with aggressive smashes for the un-

Comish Takes Set z former Otago player, J. Cornish (Cashmere) showed his ability by taking a set from the Canterbury champion, A. L. Blackwell, of New Brighton, who won the match, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Blackwell was too clever a tactician for Cornish, at

times getting him. to leave a wide expanse of open court where the placing of a winner was no trouble. He was also adept at passing Cornish at the net. Although Cornish was not particularly strong in service and also showed lapses in concentration, he had Blackwell on the run throughout the second set. Very evenly matched for as long as they played, W. J. Smith (St. Mary’s) and I. D. Armstrong (Opawa) had each won four games when they stopped. Armstrong countered Smith’s good positional play by unfailing energy. Only two of the fixtures in the first grade mixed draw were played. Cashmere beat South Brighton, with three matches unplayed, and St. Martins Valley is leading Cathedral by one match, with three still unplayed. Results:— SENIOR MEN St. Mary’s v. Opawa Singles.—W. J. Smith v. I. D. Armstrong, 4-4 (unfinished); M. C. Healey beat D. G. Reid, 6-2, 6-4; K. Ridden beat J. Tregear, 9-7,i 5-7, 6-1; P. Minehan lost to R. Meets, 4-6, 6-4, 4-6. Avonside v. United IX Singles.—J.. Reader lost to S. Watson, 4- 0-6; R. Larkin lost to R. J. Telford, 3-6, 1-6; R. Mills lost to W. Lewthwaite, 2-6, 4-6; A. Leopold v. J. Blakely, 6-4, 1-0 (unfinished). United I v. University Singles.—R. G. Pattinson beat A. D. L. Hunter, 6-2, 10-8; T. W. Walls v. B. R. Penfold, 4-6, 9-7, 1-4 (unfinished); C. Dawson lost to P. Wilson, 0-6, 2-6; H. S. P. Andrews lost to W. Dickson,’ 6-1, 3-6, 5Doubles.—Andrews and Dawson v. Dickson and Wilson, 2-3 (unfinished). South Brighton v. Cashmere Singles.—A. L. Blackwell beat J. Cornish, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; P. Steinmetz lost to R. Cain, 6-8, 4-6; A. Goddard beat N. Brightwell, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1; H. Dymond beat L. Le Comte, 6-2, 6-3. Doubles.—Goddard and Dymond beat Le Comte and Brightwell, 6-0, 6-1; Blackwell and Steinmetz v. Cornish and Cain, 6- 4-6 (unfinished). South Brighton won by 4 matches to 1. FIRST GRADE MIXED Cashmere beat South Christchurch by 9 matches to 4; St. Martins Valley v. Cathedral, 7-6 (unfinished).

U.S. DAVIS CUP PROSPECTS

Trabert Thinks Team Has “Even Chance”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6.

Th® United States had at least'an even chance of capturing the Davis Cup this year, said Tony Trabert today before he boarded an airliner for Australia with other members of the United States team.

"Of course,” Trabert said, "we first have to beat the Swedish team, winners of the European zone final, before we go up against the Australian champions. . "We’re going to do a job down there this year and I don’t see why we can’t win the cup. Our record is as good as the Australians this last year." Travelling with Trabert, were Hamilton Richardson, twice American intercollegiate champion, and two of the United States’ most promising youngsters, Jerry Moss and Mike Green.

Victor Seixas and the United States captain. William Talbert, are expected to fly to Australia in time for the Victorian championships In Melbourne, beginning on November 25.

Trabert and his three team-mates will give an exhibition in Honolulu today.