Close finish likely in women’s tennis

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34097, 8 March 1976, Page 15

Close finish likely in women’s tennis

The Christchurch women's senior tennis competition is heading for an exciting finish as the result of Elmwood’s second consecutive loss on Saturday. A rejuvenated United side beat Elmwood with the loss of only one match. and Avonside had a similarly decisive victory against Beckenham. Two rounds ago Elmwood held a commanding lead in the competition. But now it has only fi.e points to spare from Avonside, with United a further two points behind. In a repeat of the Canterbury women’s singles final, Shirley Haig (United)' downed Robyn Hunt (Elmwood) in two contrasting sets in the top singles match. As in the championship final, the first set was vigorously contested, with Mrs Hunt smashing and volleying well and Mrs Haig driving accurately from the baseline.

In the second set. however. Mrs Hunt wilted in the face of her rival’s steadiness; of shot, and failed to take a game. Sue Keddell (United) upset Ann McMaster (Elmwood),; and the competition leader received a further setback when Cherry Armitage, who returned to the United team only recently, wore down the reliable Ann Chambers, in three sets. Elmwood had to fight hard for its only win. Mrs Hunt and Miss McMaster were fully extended by Mesdames Haig and Keddell before winning in three sets. Avonside's top players. Christine Newton and Diane McKinnel, lost to Beckenham’s talented juniors Sally Chapman and Julie Verdellen. in a tense three- ■ set doubles match, and each dropped the first set to their youthful opponents in the singles. But Miss Newton, with some blazing forehands, recovered to beat Miss Chapman, and Mrs Me-, Kinnel’s subtle placements gave' her the advantage over Miss Ver-: dellen. North Linwood and Edgeware were evenly matched, and the fate of the game was decided' on sets. Jane Wilson, although

losing to Carol Pearce, look one set to tip the balance in North Linwood's favour and lift the • team of!’ the bottom rung of the ladder. Points are:— Elmwood 68. Avonside 63. United 61. North Linwood 31. Beckenham 29. Edgeware 29. Results were:— United 5, Elmwood 1 S. Haig beat R. Hunt. 7-5, 6-0: > S. Keddell beat A. McMaster. 6- <5-2; C. Armitage beat A. Chambers. 6-4, 6-7. 6-2: E. Ogilvie beat E. Smith. 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. Mesdames Haig and Keddell lost to Mrs Hunt and Miss McMaster. 5-7, 6-2. 4-6: Mesdames Armitage and Ogilvie beat Mrs Chambers and Miss Smith. 3-6. 7- 6-3. North Linwood 7 sets. Edgeware 6 sets J. Phillips beat .1. Langford. 6-1. 6-2; J. Wilson lost to C. Pearce. 6-4, 3-6, 3-6: S. Lynn beat G. Iredale. 6-3. 6-3: W. Parrish lost to L. Brown. 1-6. 3-6. Misses Phillips and Wilson beat I Mesdames Langford and Brown. 6-2, 6-3; Misses Lynn and Parrish lost to Mrs Pearce and Miss Iredale, 1-6, 1-6. Avonside 5, Beckenham 1 > C Newton beat S. Chapman, 2-6 6-3. 6-3; D. McKinnel beat ■J. Verdellen. 5-7. 6-3. 6-2; A. Grant beat A. Davidson. 6-4. 1-6. 6-0: J. McDonald beat P. Grace. ■6-31 6-1. Miss Newton and Mrs McKinnel lost to Misses Chapman and Verdellen. 7-5. 6-7. 5-7- Mesdames

Grant and MacDonald beat Misses Davidson and Grace, 6-3. 6-2.