Harley back on firm footing

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 56

Harley back on firm footing

Stephen Harley overcame many vicissitudes in proving he was New Zealand’s leading junior tennis player at Wilding Park this week.

He arrived at the courts for an important Canterbury ranking match against Brett Hibbert — the runner-up for the national junior crown — only to find that both his tennis shoes were left-footed.

Undeterred. Harley played on in bare feet, but soon found himself in a losing position at one set all and down 1-5 in the third.

At this stage, feeling the cold breath of defeat on his neck, he tossed up three lobs — which proved to be his salvation. The first was short, but Hibbert missed it. The second Hibbert struck into the net, and the third was dispatched over the sideline.

So Harley was back in the game, and he pressed on purposefully to win the vital

’set, 7-5, as his confidence {flowed back. ; Harley and Hibbert are ■ both members of the New ' Zealand under 21 team which is to tour Europe this year. In other ranking matches, Warren Edgecumbe had a ■ struggle to beat Neville Fife, the talented United player, and Alan Croad, in his most forceful mood, disposed of his Avonside clubmate, Barry Knight, in short time Results were: Men.—Harley beat Hibbert, 5-7, 6-4. 7-5; Edgecumbe beat Fife. 4-6, 7-6, 6-4; Croad beat Knight. 6-1, 6-1; B. Finch beat D. Chapman. 6-4, 4-6, 7-6; D. McKay beat M. Pur- ; cell, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4; M. Sibley beat D. Haworth, 6-2, 6-2; M. Agar beat S. Connell 7-5, ’2-6, 6-3. ! Women.—C. Newton beat IJ. Macdonald, 6-4, 6-4; S. i Chapman beat J. Wilson, 6-2, ; 6-3; J. Verdellen beat A. ‘ Davidson. 6-0. 6-2.