WILDING SHIELD CHALLENGE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 11

WILDING SHIELD CHALLENGE

Canterbury In Strong Position

BIG LEAD OVER AUCKLAND

By Telegraph—Press Association.

AUCKLAND, January 19. In the first day’s play for the Wilding Memorial Shield the Canterbury lawn tennis team established itself in a very strong position in its challenge to Auckland for possession of the trophy. Canterbury won three singles out of four and both doubles went to the visiting team. The weather was cool and there was a strong westerly wind blowing across courts. This made ball control a little difficult. The courts were in splendid condition. The only Aucklander to win his singles was N. F. Bedford, who beat A. R. Cant in straight sets. J. T. Mayson, J. W. Gunn and N. G. Sturt all lost their singles. O. Angus, the Canterbury captain, was in splendid form, winning his singles and materially assisting R. G. I’attinson to capture the first doubles.- Auckland will have to stage a surprising recovery if the Wilding Shield is to remain here. Results S'ngles.

R. G. Battinson (Canterbury) beat N. G. Sturt (Auckland) 6-0, 6-3. N. F. Bedford (Auckland) beat A. R. Cant (Canterbury) 6-4, 6-4. C. Angus (Canterbury) beat J. T. Mayson (Auckland) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. A. D. Brown (Canterbury) beat J. W. Gunn (Auckland) 14-12, 7-5. Doubles. C. Angus and R. G. Pattinson (Canterbury) beat J. T. Mayson and N. ,G. Sturt (Auckland) 6-3, 6-2. A. D. Brown and A. R. Cant (Canterbury) beat J. W. Gunn and N. F. Bedford (Auckland) 6-4, 4-6, S-G.