Edgeware Leads Women’s Grade

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 26

Edgeware Leads Women’s Grade

Edgeware, the holder of the championship for two years in succession, took the lead in the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s competition again on Saturday, but it is a shaky lead.

Its closest rival, Elmwood had the bye on Saturday and it still has one match to play, against North Linwood, to complete the first round in which it is unbeaten. It will probably remain ahead although it will again be without its top player, Miss R. Legge, when it meets North Linwood. She is playing in the Wellington championships over two week-ends. Edgeware, which has had its bye, has now completed its first round only three points ahead of Elmwood because it has had one loss—to Elmwood. On Saturday, Edgeware beat Beckenham by 4 matches to 2, and Shirley beat North Linwood by 6 matches to 0. The points are: Edgeware 47, Elmwood 44, Shirley 17, North Linwood 15, Beckenham 4. A dispute marred the match between North Linwood and Shirley. When Mrs D. Macdonald was late, North Linwood, under the competition rules had to forfeit her singles. The clash came when it was maintained by Shirley that it should be the fourth singles that is defaulted. On the other hand, North LinIwood felt that Mrs Macdonald on Saturday was its second singles player. In the event the Shirley view prevailed and the North Linwood fourth and third players played third and second, both losing. In the top singles. Misses G. Hampton (Shirley), a member of the Canterbury Howe Shield team for the last two .seasons, was given a stern test by Miss

C. Ralfe (North Linwood,) a player who hits well but who is a little slow moving to the ball, a failing she shares with many Canterbury and New Zealand women players. She is strongly built and hits hard, and she won the first set, 7-5. only to lose control to a Miss Hampton who had more variety in her play and who scored when she moved to the net. Top for Edgeware in the absence of Miss R. Dillon and Miss J. Habgood at the Wellington championships. Miss G. Iredale filled the position competently. She kept too good a length and was too consistent for Mrs A. Duckmanton (Beckenham). Results: Edgtwara v. Beckenham Singles.—Miss G. Iredale beat Mrs A. Duckmanton, 6-3, 6-3; Mrs P. Boatwood beat Miss G. Freear, 7-5, 6-0; Mrs D. Smith lost to Miss S. Moore, 2-6, 2*6; Mrs F. Hindson lost to Miss E. Price. I*6, 4-6. Doubles.—Mrs Boatwood and Miss Iredale beat Mrs Duckmanton and Miss Freear, 6-2, 6-1; Mesdames Smith and Hindson beat Misses Moore and Price, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Edgeware won by 4 matches to 2. Shirley v. North Llnweed Singles.—Miss G. Hampton beat Miss S. Ralfe, 5-7, B*6, 6-2: Mrs B. McNicol beat Mrs V Wheal. 6-1, 6-0: Miss P. Bamford beat Mrs P. Cox, 6-3, 7-5; Mrs P. Sanders beat Mrs D. Macdonald, by default. Doubles.—Miss Hampton and Mrs McNicol beat Miss Ralfe and Mrs Macdonald, 6-4, 9-7; Miss Bamford and Mrs Sanders beat Mesdames Wheal and Cox, 10-8. 8-6. Shirley won by 6 matches to 0.