SENIOR MEN’S TENNIS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28421, 30 October 1957, Page 7

SENIOR MEN’S TENNIS

Nine Teams Now Possible

A protest from the Woolston club against the decision to limit the number of men's teams in the senior grade to eight and to make Woolston and New Brighton play off to decide which team filled the eighth position in the grade, led to the decision of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association's management committee last evening to recommend to the competitions committee that nine teams com-

prise the senior grade. Supporting the protest Mr A. M. Hatch said that included in the Woolston team were B. Aldridge and D. Adair, two juniors who helped bring the Slazenger Shield to Canterbury and in the South Brighton club was R. Welsh. He considered Aldridge would be beaten by Welsh in the play-off match and New Brighton also had a good chance of winning the doubles. If this occurred, these two young Woolston players would have to play in the senior reserve grade and would not get the opportunities they deserved. "I think it is a backward step to limit the number of teams to eight just because of administrative problems,” he said. He was supported by Mr S. L. Hale, who said it was not fair that Woolston should have to play South Brighton which would oe considerably stronger than some of the other teams in the grade. The matter was fully discussed by the competitions committee and the general feeling was that the new team seeking entry into the grade—South Brightonshould play the weakest team at the close of last season, said Mr C. R. Bailey. “Then I think the competitions committee must be out of touch with the juniors when it tries to push back two of our juniors who won the Slazenger Shield for us.” said Mr Hatch. A motion that the competitions committee reconsider its decision; and allow nine teams in the grade was carried Night Tennis A sub-committee comprising Messrs W. A. Clothier (convener), J. K. Burtt, D. Martin and Bailey was set up to act in liaison with clubs conducting night competitions and the association particularly in regard to clubs playing in the competitions which were not affiliated to the association.

The Aranui club’s application for affiliation was approved.

An Auckland notice of motion to oe put to the annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand association in Wellington on November 14, regarding the closing dates for the Wilding Shield and Nunneley Casket matches, was discussed The notice of motion seeks to change the closing date [from October 31 to September 30. ill was decided to ask the Auck- | land association why it wished to | have the closing date moved forward a month.

It was decided to challenge for the Nunneley Casket and the Wilding Shield on March 22 next year.