UNITED CLUB HAS EXCELLENT RECORD IN WOMEN'S TENNIS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28234, 23 March 1957, Page 5

UNITED CLUB HAS EXCELLENT RECORD IN WOMEN'S TENNIS

QENIOR women's tennis teams ° from the United club have a remarkable record in inter-club competition since World War 11. With its latest win at Wilding Park last Saturday, it has won eight of the 12 competitions, the last six in succession.

Only two clubs feature on the honours list from 1945-1946; the other is North Linwood which has not had a women’s team now for some years. The list is: 1945-46, North Linwood; 1946-47, North Linwood; 1947-48. United; 1948-49, United; 1949-50. North Linwood; 1950-51, North Linwood; 1951-52 to 1956-57, United.

Part of the reason for the predominance of United is the popularity of the club with the province’s leading players, the main attraction probably being the grass courts. Until last season when club’s were limited to one entry, United often was able to provide two senior teams for the competition' without making one strong and one weak. Many players belong to the United club as well as to their home clubs. Figures for games won and lost in this season's competition were: United, played 8, won 6, lost 2; Cashmere, 8,6, 2; Avonside, 7,5, 2; Opawa, 7,4, 3; St. Albans, 7,3, 4;

Shirley-South Brighton, 7,3, 4; University, 6,1, 5; Elmwood. 6, 0. 6. „ , Although United and Cashmere had the same figures of wins and losses and Cashmere had lost only once to United’s twice when the final was reached, this is not a strong criticism against the new system under which the women s competition was run for the first time. The first two rounds are virtually of a qualifying nature, and United showed itself definitely superior in the final. United, almost the same team as that which won the competition last season, had its strength in its two top players, Mrs J. Lewis and Miss J. Davidson, neither of whom lost a single match and the third member of the team, Miss B. Web-

ster lost only twice' out of six. Mrs Lewis, second on the provincial ranking list, and Miss Davidson, third, were generally t'oo strong for their opponents. > although they had a few close > calls. Miss Davidson had a bad ■ patch in the middle of the season • but it affected mainly her tournament play. An expert observer t who saw her in the final last • Saturday said that when she I learnt to pick the right ball to • hit and played the others with • firmness she had the makings of ’ a New Zealand champion. Other members of the United team who helped the side to its win were Miss S. Murray, Miss A. Cuddon and Mrs M. Millard. Most successful players in singles matches from all clubs were:—•

P. W. L. Mrs J. Lewis (United) 7 7 0 Miss J. Davidson (United) 6 6 0 Mrs R. Lovegrove (Cashmere) 7 6 1 Miss F. Ower (Cashmere) 5 5 0 Miss L. Luxton (Opawa) 6 5 1 Mrs E. Campbell (Cashmere) 8 5 3 Miss D. Norrie (Elmwood) 4 4 0 Miss B. Webster (United) 6 4 2 Mrs J. McKay (Avonside) 6 4 2 Miss P. Allen (Avonside) 7 4 3 Mrs P. Boatwood (Shirley-Sth. Bri.) 7 4 3