Canterbury Candidates For N.Z. Tennis Teams

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30619, 9 December 1964, Page 19

Canterbury Candidates For N.Z. Tennis Teams

CANTERBURY has two v very strong contenders fgf overseas tennis trips ,his season, and their crucial t me is in the next week or I wo. They are the top v oman in the province, Mrs r. Davy, formerly Miss R. Morrison, and the top boy, j. W. Mitchell. Two women players will make up the New Zealand team to play in the Federation Cup international women’s teams’ tournament in Melbourne from January 15 to 18 and they will leave from Christchurch on January 12, immediately after the national championships. However, the team will be selected at the conclusion of the Wellington championships to be held over two week-ends, December 12 and 13 and December 19 and 20. A number of last season’s ranked New Zealand women

ere not available, but among those who are seeking places are Miss E. Terry, ranked second, and Mrs E. Mitchell, formerly Miss E. Green, ranked third. Mrs Daw played little last season and was not ranked, but she seems almost certain to be first pick for the side. Now living in Christchurch, she has been far ahead of any of the Canterbury women she has met and she has also won two outside tournaments. She won the Otago association's Labour week-end invitation tournament, beating Miss J. Hayvice (Wellington), ranked sixth in the Dominion, in the final, and she won the Remuera (dub’s invitation tournament two weeks ago, beating Mrs E. Stephan, eighth in the country, in a semi-final, Miss Terry in the final. If Mrs Mitchell and Miss Terry are considered the other main candidates, they are far from consistent. Mrs Mitchell was beaten in the Remuera tournament and in a club match by Miss S. Clement, seventh in New Zealand, and Miss Terry lost to Mrs Stephan in a club match. Mesdames Davy and Mitchell and Miss Terry will play in the Wellington championships, and it seems very likely Mrs Davy will win again to establish her place beyond doubt. The

other place may cause some bother. New Zealand has been drawn against Argentina, the winner to play Australia. The team will also play in the Australian championships. Also in January a New Zealand boys’ team will be sent to Australia to play for the Linton Cup inter-state trophy, and a girls’ team will play for the Wilson Cup. Leaving Christchurch on January 8, the side will play Victoria on January 9 and 10 and then in the Tasmanian championships before the cup matches begin on January 17. To select the cup teams, special trial matches will be held in Wellington on December 14 and 15 and the

team will be announced immediately after. If Mrs Davy’s place is virtually assured, Mitchell may have more competition for his. Understandably, the time he is prepared to devote to the game at this time of the year is reduced by the fact that he is an able and conscientious student as well. This has given players not concerned with examinations an advantage. On the other hand, Mitchell’s game remains at a high standard with little practice and his play in the Christchurch senior competition this season, about all the practice he has had, has been as good as ever. Wellington has N. C. McAffer in brilliant form—his wins this season have included one over J. B. Souter—and O. Panin, who has beaten the ninth New Zealander, B. P. Taylor. Auckland is pushing the claims hard of D. Cassidy, B. Fairlie and R. Potter and Northland has G. Eliott, who played in Canada with McAffer earlier this year. Mitchell is considered in many quarters to be one who would benefit most from a trip to Australia and who has quite outstanding potential. It is to be hoped he can rise to the occasion in the Wellington trial and achieve his best quickly. Also taking part in the Wellington trials will be another Canterbury player, J. Martin, sent by the Canterbury association. At his best, and he has been playing well this season, he also would have a chance of a place.