Canterbury women gain top tennis seeding

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 31

Canterbury women gain top tennis seeding

By DIANNA LESLIE The Canterbury women’s tennis team has retained its top seeding for the Nunneley Casket contest, which starts in Wellington today, but the men will be attacking from a tougher second seeding behind their arch rivals, Auckland, for the Wilding Shield.

The women’s team had harboured fears of a lower seeding in the inter-districts event after the withdrawal of two prominent players, Ruth Seeman and Robyn Hunt. Diana McKinnel, the team manager, was relieved to hear the decision.

“The pool is important,” she said. "It will make our task so much easier as well.” Amanda Trail, originally named in the team as No. 1, has displayed such impressive form lately that selectors could no longer ignore her results. She has replaced Sally Moorfield at the top of the line-up.

"Amanda has had considerable tournament play lately and she won the Wellington open, so she has experienced the court surface we will be playing on,” said Mrs McKinnel. “We thought that she is young and she is getting better and better, so we have decided to give her a chance.”

Trail, aged 16 years, is certainly capable of doing justice to the opportunity and the decision could be a step towards Canterbury’s claiming the title for the thirteenth time in 16 years. Moorfield’s experience will

be of vital importance at No. 2, and the team is well settled in the order for the important fixture on the provincial calendar. "We have been concentrating on doubles this week, but everything is shaping up well,” said Mrs McKinnel. Canterbury is joined by Southern Districts, Northern Districts and Waikato in its section while Auckland and Wellington, its most accomplished rivals, will face each other in section two.

Stephen Harley, a hardy character in the men’s team, has had a question mark over his fitness, but will make the journey to Wellington, according to Peter Hampton, the team’s captain.

Hampton was particularly concerned who the Auckland team would choose from its assortment of players. But Paul Thompson, a player and manager for the team, has not been able to secure any big names.

“They are all overseas,” he said. “I am disappointed that I can never get people. I rang Julie Richardson; she can’t play. Brett Steven has a sore arm. Troy Turnbull, Andrew Lobb, Ron Dutton, John Dickison are all out for one reason or another — the list goes on and on.

“Some coldn’t get off work, and it’s pathetic. But we are still going to win, tell' those Canterbury guys, and if all else fails Thomo will play to

give them a shock,” Thompson said.

The Wellington men’s team is equally beatable as Paul Smith, a former promising junior who has lived in the United States for some years, injured his ankle in the Wellington open and has been undergoing physiotherapy.

“Paul should be right by Thursday or Friday at the latest,” said Neil Carter, the Wellington player and manager.

The Wellington team is certainly stronger than last year, but it is still apprehensive about the Canterbury team. -

“You never know how well we will do, but Canterbury looks the strongest, and we are hoping to get away from them in the semi-finals,” said Carter.

The Wellington women’s team holds no real fear for the Canterbury line-up, unless Liz Daley decides to make an appearance. Carter admitted that he had approached her but doubted that she would be included.

The seedings are.— Men: Auckland 1; Canterbury 2; Wellington 3; Northern Districts 4; Southern Districts 5; Central Districts 6; Eastern Districts 7; Waikato 8. Women: Canterbury. I; Auckland 2; Wellington 3; Northern 4; Waikato 5; Eastern Districts 6; Central Districts 7; Southern Districts 8. The Canterbury team is.—r Men: Brett Hibbert, Peter Hampton, Stephen Harley, Alistair Hunt, Brendon Furness. Women: Amanda Trail, Sally Moorfield; Shirley Haig, Judy Phillips, Ann Culhane. The Wellington team is.— Men: Paul Smith, Graeme Liddell, Neil Carter, Tino Afhui, Dougal Crisp. Dave Anderson. Women: Anna Callender, Ros Gunnion, Lyn Meacham, Julie Cooper; one to be selected.

The Auckland team is.— Men: David Mustard, Mark Collins, Mark Willman, John Lawrence, Micheal Zoricich, Paul Thompson. Women: Jeanne Perkinson, Bronwyn Smart, Fiona McLeod, Lynette Johnson, Justine, Tate, Jacqui Gunthorp.