LAWN TENNIS Top Doubles Pair Beaten

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30026, 10 January 1963, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS Top Doubles Pair Beaten

(Hew ZoalMd PrsM Association)

HAMH/DON. January 9. The defeat of the top New Zealand men’s doubles champions, L. A. Gerrard and L S. Crookenden, was the surprise result at the North Island tennis championships at Hamilton today.

In a semi-final, Gerrard and Crookenden went down to the Wellington pair, R. N. Hawkes and J. B. Souter, 6-2, 5-7, 8-10.

Hawkes, MpetiaUy, was In good form. Gerrard and Crookenden saved five match points before they were Earlier, Gerrard and Crookenden won their way through to the final of the men’s singles. Their semifinals went to three sets. Gerrard beat a fellowAucklander. J. E. Robsoa. 4-S. S-2, S-2, and Crookendui beat Souter. S-0, 1-S. 6-1. Gerrard lost the first ast of his match against Robson mainly because of lapses in concentration. However, he settled down in the second and third sets to win them both comfortably. Crookenden was in complete command in his first set against Souter, winning it easily, S-0. Then came a recovery by Souter and he broke Crookenden’s powerful service three times to take the set at 6-1. The third set was closer than the score of 6-1 indicates. Souter was causing Crookenden a lot of concern by the way he returned hie service, but Crookenden got the breaks and took the match. The number one and two seeds in the women’s singles. Miss J. Davidson and Miss R. Morrison won through to the final. Miss Davidson won In straight sets against Miss E. Green but Miss Morrison had a more difficult time against Miss P. Belton. Miss Morrison won the first set, 8-6, but went down in the second, 4-6. Ahead early in the third set. Miss Morrison looked to be in

for an easy win but Miss Belton won three games in succession. With her service to come and down only 4-5, Miss Belton sppeared to have a reasonable chance of catching Miss Morrison. However, she dropped the vital service to give Miss Morrison the match. Results were:— Men’s Singles Semi-finals. —L. A. Gerrard beet J. E. Robeon. 4-S. S-j M I. g. Crookenden beat J. B. Sauter, S-O, 1-6, S-l. Wqimb'd Blbslm Semi-finals.—Mlse J. Davidson beat Miss ■. Green, S-l. 7-Bt Miss R. Morrison beat Miss P. Belton, S-S. 4-6. 6-t. Men's Donkles Seml-flnaL-*. N. Hawke and J. B. Souter beat L. A. Gerrard and L S. Crooksnden, 2-S, 7-5. 10-S.