Notable Players Missing From Senior Mens Tennis

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30895, 30 October 1965, Page 11

Notable Players Missing From Senior Mens Tennis

'J’HE senior men's tennis competition will begin at Wilding Park today with some losses, some changes, but few gains. There can hardly be any marked improvement in standard but there can still be an interesting competition and a reasonably even one.

Among the noted names missing from team entries are G. A. Davidson, now in Ashburton, C. G. Judge, in Dunedin, B. J. Shirlaw, who died tragically, L. W. Watkins, L D. Armstrong, P. Boatwood, J. Duggan and R. Blunt. Ail have been ranked in Canterbury tennis, Davidson and Judge at the top. The defeat of United in an

elimination game also means the demise of another stalwart of senior club tennis, W. G. Lewthwaite. Although some of the juniors of recent years are now making their marks in senior tennis, the loss of a batch like this in one season is a blow.

After holding senior status for many years, the United club has given way to a new young side, Linwood Avenue, which failed to get in on a challenge last season. At the same time, it has been ruled that the competition be kept strictly to eight teams with only one team from each club. In a pre-season assessment, it is difficult to envisage Woolston, winner for two years in succession, giving up its trophy. With their admirable club loyalty, the same five players will turn out again. However, the most significant feature of club strengths seem to be the improvement of University. Bottom last year, it has made gains, Which in spite of losses also, may bring it back into the running again. Team compositions in last season’s finishing order are:—

Woolston.—B. J. Aldridge, M. Agar, R. Neuman, V. Price. G. Ford. A student

who works in his vacation. Ford is often missing for most of the middle, of the season, but the others have won consistently for two seasons. Neumann won all his eight matches last season. North Linwood.—lt's top man, J. Martin, has gone to University. The rest are the same as last year.—P. Anglad, R. Payne, B. Crawford, R. Bruce, with others of almost equivalent standard to call on. Beckenham. —Blunt has gone overseas and G. Freear is playing in a lower grade. The strong youngsters, J. Mitchell, A. Brooks, and R. Rodgers, who played last season, have been supplemented by two others, P. McGoldrick and W. Tuck. Edgeware.—A. Gowans, who is suffering from a soccer injury, has not been entered, but B. Crofts, E. L. Martin, and E. Ogier are in again with G. Davey as the fourth man. Edgeware was the winner of section II of last season’s competition.

Elmwood.—Has been severely hit by the non-entry of Watkins, Boatwood and Duggan, who is now preferring to play in a lower grade. The side will be led again by the prominent representative and tournament player, W. Thom. With him will be the junior, L. G. Legge, G. Rodley, who played once last season, and C. A. Pollitt. Cashmere.—Shirlaw will be missed, Armstrong is not entered, but B. Judge has been gained from University. P. Alexander, J. Cullington and J. Dickie are playing again. University.—The team will be led by R. McCutcheon, formerly of United, but who spent most of last season in Wellington. J. Martin has arrived from North Linwood, J. Taylor will play again, and M. Dow, formerly of South Canterbury, is the fourth. Linwood Avenue. The new team in the competition which did well to beat United for its place. These young players—l. D. Stanton S. Molnar, L. Vallance, B. Keeley and L. Sherwin—have played for several seasons. Today's first round will be North Linwood v. Elmwood, Cashmere v. Beckenham,, Edgeware v. University, and Woolston v. Linwood avenue.