United Bids To Regain Senior Tennis Status

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31020, 28 March 1966, Page 6

United Bids To Regain Senior Tennis Status

Relegated at the beginning of the season, United now has a grand chance of getting back in the Christchurch senior men’s tennis competition.

However, on this season’s results, it would have to meet the same team that eased it from senior status in the elimination match at the beginning of this season.

With the strong team of R. Van Ysselsteyn, W. Smith, A. L. Blackwell and G. Weeds, United finished the senior reserve competition at Wilding Park on Saturday unbeaten. It capped a fine season by beating Avonside. without the loss of a match.

At the same time, it is believed that there is an arrangement under which J. Griffiths, the promising junior who played for Cashmere after United was eliminated from the senior grade, would return to United if the club returned to the senior. Linwood Ave. Bottom

It was Linwood Avenue which eliminated United and decided that club did not have a senior team for the first time for many years. But Linwood Avenue then finished last in the senior grade and may be vulnerable if it has to play United at the beginning of the season.

United, strengthened by Blackwell, who did not play in the early-season elimination contest, went through the senior reserve unbeaten and had ensured some weeks ago that North Linwood, winner of this competition for five years in succession, would not continue its successful run.

Against Avonside on Saturday, United looked competent indeed. Weeds was taken to three sets by J. Edgar but the other three won their singles in straight sets and lost few games in the process. Blackwell, a former Canterbury champion twice, still looks one of the province’s most competent players. With only the one loss—to United —North Linwood finished second in the senior reserve and is certainly a consistent side. The final points with matches won in parenthesis were:— United (9 wins), 140; North Linwood I (8), 127; Fendaiton (7),' 103; North Linwood II (5), 79; Shirley (4), 62; Barrington (3), 53; Avonside (3), 49; Edgeware (2), 38; Beckenham (2), 36; Opawa (2). 33. St. Albans Succeed The second grade men’s section was won by a young St. Albans team comprising B. Isherwood, A. Renwick, D. McQueen and C. PickerWl. On Saturday it did hot even have to play because it won by default from Wooiston. With an unbeaten eight wins, St. Albans finished comfortably ahead of Riccarton Domain. The points were:—St. Albans 122. Riccarton Domain 94, Linwood 93, Wooiston 66, Shirley 61, United 52, North Linwood 41, University 28, Avonside 19.

Results l : Senior Reserve. —North Lin

wood beat Barrington by 6 matches to 0; Shirley beat Edgeware by 8 sets to 6; Fendalton beat North Linwood II by 4 matches to 2; United beat Avonsilde by 6 matches to 0; Opawa beat Beckenham by 7 sets to 6.

Second Grade Men.—St. Albans beat Wooiston by default; Linwood Avenue beat North Linwood by 4 matches to 2; Riccarton Domain beat Shirley by 5 matches to 1; United beat University by default.