Furness fights odds to win

Press, 20 November 1989, Page 29

Furness fights odds to win

Brendon Furness, the Fendalton No. 2, came from behind to overcome seven match points in the final rubber of the Fendalton and Avonhead clash during the BNZ senior men’s inter-club tennis competition at Wilding Park on Saturday.

Furness’ team-mates had almost given up on him when he had lost the first set and was down 2-6 in the second tie-break. But they had not reckoned on Furness’ tenacity — neither had Vernon Aubrey.

Furness had been down at various times in the second set but when he served two double faults in the tie-break to give Aubrey a 4-2 edge, his fate apppeared sealed.

But he found some courageous passing shots down the line and picked off some clean volleys. Aubrey started to tense and Furness kept him on the ropes with more confidence and precision than his position should have allowed him. Furness won that tie-break, 8-6, and Aubrey lost all vestige of control, falling 1-6 in the third set. Furness’s fight back gave Fendalton a 72 to 67-game win over Avonhead.

The Fendalton and Avonhead clash had begun evenly, as the doubles were split, and Alistair Hunt’s return to Avonhead’s fray after an overseas trip gave it added impetus in the top order. Hunt is one of two senior inter-club players this season to account for Fendalton’s No. 1, Philip Seeman. He won, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, in a match

which attracted several spectators, with fierce rallies offset by some good humoured antics.

Shirley blew United away, 5- even without Julian Faulls, its No. 3 player, who is playing for Lower Hutt in the Air New Zealand national inter-club league. Brett Hibbert (Shirley) confirmed his form when he again beat Mark Belcher, 6-3, 6- Hibbert captured the Canterbury closed championships recently against Belcher. Hamish Faulls (Shirley) was chased close by Jason Loveridge in the first set of their clash but he was conclusive in the second, wrapping it up, 6-0. Edgeware collapsed, 6-0, to Cashmere. There were three of its Air New Zealand league players watching from the sideline but Michael Mooney, the team manager, had decided to “rest” them for yesterday’s league match against Shirley. His decision was hot well received by the majority of the senior players, as all the Shirley contingent was in action for their teams, keeping the local inter-club on the roll. Michael Smith (Edgeware) was unwell.

Edgeware had dug deep into its reserves and found Eric Ogier, who is not in the first flush of youth but still a dogged competitor. Ogier teamed with a junior, Andrew Worley, in the doubles against Jonathon McHarg and Aaron Orangi and there were some captivating rallies as both sides

rescued volleys and utilised all comers of the court. Ogier was just as determined in his singles match against McHarg, a junior, falling, 5-7, 6-7, in an extended tussle. The top doubles players could not agree on line calls and there was some arguments between Scott Perkins (Edgeware) and Peter Terrace (Cashmere) before an official stepped in. Andrew Bruce beat Scott Perkins, 6-3, 6-3, at the top of the order and Andrew Mehrtens and Aaron Orangi went to three sets. Mehrtens had the capability to win the match but his exasperation with himself took its toll, and he started to pull back on shots to give the fiesty Orangi openings. Both competitors repeatedly tumbled after several shots displaying commitment.

Elmwood was listing badly without its top order and Te Kura took advantage to win, 4-2. Elmwood was missing Richard Dalman, who has been struggling with an injury, and Rhett Mason. There was not enough experience in the lower order to threaten Te Kura’s hold.

Justin O’Malley’s winning streak was put on hold by Jean Pierre Andre, 6-3, 0-6, 46. O’Malley’s consistency under pressure has been a potent weapon this season, but Andre knuckled down on Saturday.

Points: Shirley 48, Fendalton 41, Te Kura 34, Edgeware 26, Avonhead 24, Elmwood 20, Cashmere 13, United 10.