Gerrard Loses Only 5 Games To Clarke

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30035, 21 January 1963, Page 12

Gerrard Loses Only 5 Games To Clarke

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 20. A gallant R. G. Clarke, of Wellington, was given no chances by the defending champion, L. A. Gerrard, of Auckland, in the final of the men’s singles in the New Zealand lawn tennis championships at the Stanley street courts on Saturday. Gerrard was at his best and although the Wellington player fought for every point he could do no better than win five games in the three sets. Gerrard won, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2. The match took only 55 minutes.

This victory gave Gerrard his third title of the tournament and his fourth successive national singles title, a feat which had only been achieved by H. A. Parker in 1902-06.

Gerrard was in grand form throughout the championships. He dropped only two sets in all matches. The champion’s crisp, severe volleying and returh of service were near perfect. He left Clarke standing with some beautiful passing shots mainly from his cross-court backhand (his best shot). He served with amazing power both in singles and doubles finals. J. B. Souter and R. N. Hawkes, ox Wellington, who had impressed early in the tournament with their good doubles form, were never in the game during the final of the men’s doubles against Gerrard and Crookenden. Gerrard was again the dominating force. He was always in the right spot. He and Crookenden kept right on top of the net, hitting everything down sharply and forcing the Wellington pair to return their drives high, giving the title-holders plenty of opportunity to make no mistakes with volleys. Souter and Hawkes threw away a chance to win the third set when they led 4-3 and held a game point on Gerrard’s service. Had they concentrated on Crookenden instead of playing Gerrard they might have won the break-through. Their tactical error cost them the set. It was the second successive national doubles title for Gerrard and Crookenden.

The sft Maori girt, Miss R. Morrison, won her fourth national singles title in five years when she was too consistent for the defending clampion, Miss J. Davidson, of Canterbury. Miss Davidson had equally as good a range of shots as

Miss Morrison; but had neither the temperament nor the concentration of her opponent. Miss Morrison won her second title in the women’s doubles with Mrs H. Robson (Auckland) when they beat Miss Davidson and Miss M. Johnston (Wellington). Miss Morrison and Mrs Robson took the first set, 6-0, in less than 12 minutes, losing only seven points. The match hinged on the play of Miss Davidson, who was the most forceful, but she allowed the crowd to up-

set her and lost her concentration.

Miss Morrison and Mrs Robson were too experienced in the last set and played safely during the vital points to edge ahead after trailing 3-4 to win, 6-4. Finals resulted:— Men’s Singles L. A. Gerrard (Auckland) beat R. G. Clarke (Wellington), 6-2, 6-1. 6-2. Women’s Singles Miss R. Morrison (Auckland) beat Miss J. Davidson (Canterbury), 6-2, 3-6. 6-4. Men’s Doubles Gerrard and I. S. Crookenden (Auckland) beat R. N. Hawkes (Wellington) and J. B. Souter (Wellington), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Women’s Donbles Miss Morrison and Mrs H. Robson (Auckland) beat Miss Davidson and Miss M. Johnston (Wellington). 6-0, 1-6, 6-4. The Kramer Cup for umpiring was won by Miss J. Lessing, of Auckland.