LAWN TENNIS Robson And Miss Morrison Win

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29713, 5 January 1962, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS Robson And Miss Morrison Win

(New Zealand Presi Association)

TIM ARE, January 4.

J. E. Robson, of Auckland, won the South Island singles tennis championship from from a New Zealand field when he beat R. G. Clarke, of Wellington, in three sets in a fiveset match at Maori Park today. Play was of a New Zealand field when he beat R. G. for his win.

The women’s title was won by Miss R, Morrison, of Auckland, who scored an easy victory over Miss E. Green.

The singles match between Robson and Clarke delighted a large gallery as it was full of exciting exchanges, spectacular recoveries and brilliant volleying Robson varied his play well and seldom failed with his first service which he placed well to open up the net position. Clarke's ground strokes were sound and at times he scored outright winners with cross-court drives from both sides. However, time and again he failed in return of service on his backhand and this weakness Robson was not slow to exploit. Clarke had a glorious opportunity to win the second set but he netted three easy returns. Both attacked the net from their services and

had almost equal success but Robson s uncanny control of the lob won him many critical points. In the last game Robson broke Clarkes service and allowed him only One point. The all-Auckland final in the women’s singles resulted in a convicing win for New Zealand's top plover. Miss Morrison, who conceded only three games in two sets against Miss Green Miss Gleen began nervously and mulled many easy shots. On the other hand. Miss Morrison was very confident. She varied her play cleverly and maintained a good length throughout Miss Green found form in the second set to earn three games, but the result was not in doubt L. A. Gerrard (Canterbury) and I. S. Crookenden (Waikato! beat Robson and A. S. Burns (Auckland) in three sets in the final of the men’s doubles Many times the game sparkled with all the players In the forecourt exchanging volleys at lightning speed. Crookenden was the weak partner in the first set. but he made steady improvement and played a worthy part in the win. In the final of the women’s doubles Misses J. Glenie and E. Green (Auckland) beat Misses B Wright (Auckland) and V. Fladgate (Waikato). Misses Glenie and Green showed more enterprise in going to net. Miss Fladgate was solid in her ground strokes. After losing the first set 3-6, the New Zealand titleholder,. C. G. Judge and Miss J. Davidson (Canterbury) survived a match point at 3-5 and went on to lose the final set 6-8 to Gerrard and Miss Morrison in the mixed doubles. Abbreviations in the results are:—Wellington (W.), Auckland (A.), Waikato (Wk), Canterbury (C.). Men’s Singles Final.—J. E. Robson (A.) beat R. G. Clarke (W.). 6-3, 10-8. 6-4. Women’s Singles Final.—Miss R. Morrison (A.) beat Miss E. Green (A.), 6-0, 6-3. Men's Doubles Final.—L. A. Gerrard (C.) and I. Crookenden (Wk.) beat J E. Robson (A.) and A. S. Bums (A), 5-7. 6-4. 6-2. Women's Doubles Final.—Miss J. Gienie (A.) and Miss E. Green (A.) beat Misses B. Wright (A.) and Miss V. Fladgate (Wk.), 7-5. 2-6. 6-4 Mixed Doubles Semi-finals.—C. G. Judge (C.) and Miss J. Davidson (C.) beat R. Hawkes (W.) and Miss E Terry (A.), 6-2. 6-3; L. A. Gerard (C.) and Miss R. Morrison (A.) beat I. Crookenden (Wk.) and Miss M. A. Smith (A,) 2-6 6-2. 6-2.

Final —Gerrard and Miss Morrison beat Judge and Miss Davidson. 6-3. 8-6.