LAWN TENNIS Three Titles To Clarke In N.Z. Junior Tourney

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29112, 26 January 1960, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS Three Titles To Clarke In N.Z. Junior Tourney

(Ntw Zeaiana Preu Associattonj

WELLINGTON, January 25. R. G. Clarke, the brilliant young Wellington player secured his third title when he won the under 19 singles and doubles at the New Zealand junior championships which concluded at Mitchell Park, Lower Hutt, today Earlier Clarke had won the mixed doubles title. Today Clarke beat I. Crookenden (Waikato) in a thrilling three-set match to win the singles final, and then, with his fellow Wellingtonian, J. B. Souter, romped to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over P. Kellv (Manawatu) and R. Purser (Taranaki) in the doubles.

Clarke’s 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Crookenden was the result of fine control, slashing services, and deep concentration against a harassing northerly wind. Clarke lost the first set after fighting back against three set points, but even when behind he never dropped the pressure. Kelly and Purser lacked the fluent stroking and combination they showed on Saturday, and Souter and Clarke had no trouble in beating them in the doubles. The champions’ dropped game in the second set seemed like a consolation prize.

The fifth-seeded Aucklander Miss H. Lockington, made short work of the second-seeded Miss E. Green (Auckland) to win the girls’ under 19 singles, 6-3, 6-3. Miss Green seldom looked happy in the conditions, and only on occasions did she find the right length for winning shots. But later, after taking the first set Miss Lockington and her under 19 doubles partner, Miss B. Wright (Auckland), lost the doubles, 6-3, 3-6, 0-6, to the better combination of Misses C. Landfills (Auckland) and M. Smith (Waikato). ■ Under 17 Titles Reversals of seeded players were common in the under 17 events. In both boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles the top seeds fell. The No. 1 seeded boys’ singles player, B. Young (Auckland) lost his final with his fellow-Aucklander, J. Stevens, 4-6. 2-6. Young and M. McNamee (Canterbury), top seeded in the doubles, failed to find the combination needed to beat M. Christison and B. Taylor (Wellington). Hutt Valley hopes of a title were demolished when Miss E. Cavaye missed in both her under 17 doubles and singles finals. Miss E. Terry (Waikato) was too good all round for her in the singles, and Misses Terry and P. O’Carroll (Northland) beat Miss Cavaye and her partner Miss L.

Smith (Waikato) in the doubles. Results of finals today were:

Under 19 Boys’ Singles.—R. G Clarke (Wellington) beat I. CrookerV?e j (Waikato), 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 Under 19 Girls’ Singles.—Miss H. Lockington (Auckland) beat Miss E - Gre en (Auckland), 6-3, 6-3 -H n T er c 19 B °y s ’ Doubles.—Clarke p B ’,.? outer (Wellington) beat P. Kelly (Manawatu) and R. Purser (Taranaki), 6-0, 6-1. Under 19 Girls’ Doubles.—Misses G. Landells (Auckland) and M. Smith (Waikato) beat Misses B. Wright (Auckland) and Lockington, 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Under 17 Boys’ Singles.—J. Stevens (Auckland) beat B. Young (Auckland), 6-4, 6-2. Under 17 Girls’ Singles.—Miss E. Terry (Waikato) beat Miss E. Cavaye (Hutt Valley), 6-3, 6-4. Under 17 Boys’ Doubles.—M. Christison and B. Taylor (Wellington) beat Young and M. McNamee (Canterbury), 6-1, 7-5. Under 17 Girls’ Doubles.—Misses P. O’Carroll (Northland) and Terry beat Misses L. Smith (Waikato) and Cavaye, 6-2, 8-6.