Wellington Title Won By Gerrard

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 5

Wellington Title Won By Gerrard

"The Press” Special Service

WELLINGTON, Dec. 17. L, A. Gerrard, of Canterbury, became the dual Wellington tennis title-holder when the WeHingtoo championships, the most successful for many seasons, concluded al Central Perk today He . won the men’s singles from J. B. Souter, 8-6, 6-2, 3-6, 0-4. Gerrard bad has hardest game of the tournament with Souter. Souter, at present playing exceptionally well, stuck to his guns and Ger-

rard like a leech. He forced the reigning WeHing.on and New Zealand champion to every effort to win. Both players served well, they both demonstrated the strength of their backhand passing shots down the line, and Souter, tspecially. lobbed with rare precision The crowd was the best seen at Central Park for years—more than I<XX>—and the tennis the players provided was sufficient reward. In the play-off for third place. I. Crookenden beet R. G Clarke. 6-4, 6-3 Crookenden was more like his usual self, with hia backband Quite reliable, his serve, at times, devastating, and his volleying deadly Clarke was not impressive. In the semi-finals of the singles on Saturday Souter played like a man poeseesed :o beat Crookenden—for the first tame—4a straight sets, and Gerrard waltzed through Clarke without ever being reelly pushed Gerrard and Crookenden won the men's doubles final from Souter and Hawkes. 4-6, 8-6. 6-3, 6-1 The Wellington players were in great form in the first set. with Hawkes the outstanding player on the court As the match progressed the New Zealand 1961 representatives got more into their stride and with Crookenden’s return of service functioning better they took the match In the singles Gerrard svoa at times in rare form. He hit some tremendous backhand ground strokes and his backhand volley was magnificent In Souter however, he had an opponent who was also in greet form and this wea probably the best match Souter has ever played The women's singles was won by Mrs B Grey (formerly Miss Nelson), when she beat Miss G Hirst in straight sets in the final Mrs Grey also won the women’s doubles ortth Mrs M Painter They beat Miss M. Johnston and Mrs T. McGregor in the final.