Top Tennis Players In N.Z. Lack Consistency

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 5

Top Tennis Players In N.Z. Lack Consistency

ALTHOUGH a New Zealand lawn tennis team is competing in Australia there is still a great deal <>f early-season interest in leading players at home especially those who were well in the running for the overseas visit. So far players from whom the most was expected this season have given little indication of consistent quality. Thought for the near future must be directed towards the New Zealand titles at Auckland in January and a more long-sighted consideration is the formation of another team for an overseas tour later—perhaps an entry in the Davis Cup contest.

Prospects As yet the season Is very young, but those whose form can be looked at are J. R. McDonald (Wellington), C. T. Parker (Auckland), M. A. Otway (Auckland). R. S. McKenzie (Wellington). and M. L. Dunn (Wellington). McDonald and Parker were said to be the unlucky players not to be included in the team for Australia; Otway did not take part in the national titles last season and was not available for the trip; McKenzie is still a major force in Dominion tennis; and Dunn was considered one of the most promising young players. Labour week-end tournaments in both Auckland and Wellington brought encouragement to tennis enthusiasts when McDonald convincingly beat the 33-year-old McKenzie at Wellington and Otway was successful over Parker at Auckland.

McDonald, notwithstanding his omission from the New Zealand side, had emerged with a greatly enhanced reputation after last season, winning the Canterbury title in a nationalclass field, reaching the finai of the South Island title in a similar field, and having good prospects in the New Zealand championship until he had to withdraw with a stomach injury. He had beaten McKenzie twice. In his Labour week-end win he seemed to have improved on last season, with more pace and a better idea of placement.

But soon afterwards, McDonald was sensationally beaten by the University player, J. T. Eichelbaum, in the first round of Wellington club matches. The number two ranked New Zealand man had beaten McKenzie, 6-2, 6-4, but went down to Eichelbaum, just an able club and representative player, 4-6, 6-1, 3-6. M. A. Otway Big things were also expected of Parker, the South Island champion, but Otway won, 6-3, 9-7, 6-4, and a northern report said that he won with ease. He had more confidence in his ground strokes and through openings he made in this department he was able to hit winners from the net. Otway was virtually an unknown quantity last season because he did not take part in the major tournaments, hut it must be assumed that he still has the ability that gained him a place in the three-man Davis Cup team before that. Another who' showed much promise last season was the former New Zealand table tennis representative, M. L. Dunn, who decided to devote less time to table tennis in favour of tennis, and who worked on his game throughout the winter. However, Dunn was beaten recently in a Wellington ranking match by B. M. Mackie, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. A report said that Mackie handled a high wind and' slippery courts better than his opponent. Losses

So McKenzie, McDonald, Parker and Dunn have all been beaten fairly convincingly this season. Of two other prominent names, P. Becroft of Auckland is in England, and P. G. Nicholls of Wellington, who might have extended both McDonald and McKenzie in the Labour week-end

tournament had he not withdrawn, will go overseas early next year.

Members of the New Zealand team in Australia, J. E. Robson, A. S. Burns. D. Shaw, and L. Gerrard and R. Wong, who has recently joined them, have gained some encouraging successes, and the dashing Otway has had a good win at home'. McKenzie, Robson and Burns are the comparative veterans of the list, and should not be considered appli cants for positions in many future touring teams. The future lies with such as McDonald. Parker, Otway, Shaw, Gerrard, Wong, and perhaps the young Auckland player, B. E. Woolf, of whom little has been heard this season. But the main impression from performances is an urgent need for consistency—a feature in which New Zealand sportsmen suffer in comparison with those from overseas in several sports.

MISS ROSEMARY BULLEID

RETURN TO N.£. POSSIBLE

Rosemary Bulleid, the tall, attractive English girl who toured Australian and New Zealand tournaments last season, is considering returning to New Zealand to live, according to two overseas lawn tennis magazines.

An English covered court doubles champion. Miss Bulleid would be welcomed in the Dominion, where she gained popularity because of her tennis and her gracious manner. Her visit last season, subsidised by the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, enabled her to play in several major tournaments.

She will certainly be well remembered in Christchurch for her per-

formances at Wilding Park in winning the Canterbury women’s ’doubles title with Miss B. Nelson, of Wellington, and later adding to that the national women’s doubles title partnered by Miss R. Morrison, of Auckland. She impressed most then by her beautiful service action for a powerful delivery, her fast net-skimming drives and her strong net play. Miss Bulleid, a secretary in England, was born and coached in the tennis haven of Devon by former Auckland-employed Paddy Roberts. She has appeared twice in singles on the centre court at Wimbledon, once against Miss Doris Hart. Her best douoles performance was at Wimbledon when she and Miss P. Ward forced “Little Mo” Connolly and Miss Julie Sampson to 9-7 in the third set.