LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS

Wellington Team Takes Nunneley Casket CANTERBURY KEEPS WILDING SHIELD Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, February 2. Canterbury tenuis players retained the Wilding Shield but lost the Nunneley Casket when challenging teams from Wellington were played at Wilding Park. With six wins in the Wilding Shield matches on Friday, Canterbury men were in a strong position aud yesterday went on to win three of four singles. The fate of the Nunneley Casket was” more doubtful. Ou Friday Wellington women scored, four wins to Canterbury’s two. Yesterday afternoon after the singles the score was five matches all and Wellington led by 11 sets to 10. However, the first doubles settled the issue, and the casket, which lias been iu Canterbury since 1934, will go to Wellington. Miss Fernie proved altogether too sound for Miss Chester, and lost only two games. Her driving was powerful ami accurate, and she kept the Canterbury player on the defensive throughout. The match between Misses Senior and Beban was close, but Miss Senior was the better stroke player and deserved her success. The Canterbury women came to the last two singles, therefore, still two matches down.

Miss T. Poole and Airs. Robb, who are now old rivals in casket matches, produced some of the best women’s tennis seen in Chri- eliureii this year. Miss Poole’s daring net attacks were the decisive factor in a closely contested game. .Miss Armstrong had some anxious moments against Mrs. Green, whose play is refreshing in its enterprise and freedom. Miss Armstrong played steadily and cleverly kept the Wellington player on the defensive.

The straight set victory of Misses Fernie ami Behan over Misses Armstrong anil Senior decided the contest. The Wellington players were more skilful in the use of the drive and lob as a preparation for advance to tlie net, and they were more skilful volleyers. 'The second doubles was hard fought, with sparkling rallies. The improved form of the Wellington men on Saturday suggested that, they did not do themselves justice on Friday. McKenzie’s victory over Barnett stamps him as the most promising junior New Zealand tennis has produced for years. JXeKeuzie had the most punishing smash seen in the contest.

Ferkins made a great effort against Pattinson in a long gruelling match. Howe, with unorthodox and daring shots, extended Angas to the utmost. The game between Brown and Edwards was queer and disappointing. For the most part Brown mixed listless carelessness with wild sloshes. He steadied sufficiently to take the first set, but Edwards took the second and led 5-1 in the third. Then Brown suddenly embarked on a long series of pat-ball rallies, which gave him the next six games and the match. The doubles were brilliant exhibitions of fast play, the Wellington pairs being unrecognizable as the teams which had offered such poor resistance on the first day. Brown and Barnett beat McKenzie" and Ferkins, but the other games had to be left unfinished 'at set-all. Results (Canterbury names first): — Wilding Shield. Singles (Friday): A. D. Brown beat R. A. Howe, 6-2, 6-1; C. Angas beat N. V. Edwards, 10-8, 6-1; H. A. Barnett beat R. McL. Ferkins, 6-2, 6-3; R. G. Pattiuson beat R. S. McKenzie, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Singles (Saturday): A. D. Brown beat N. V. Edwards, 7-5. 4-6, 7-5; C. Angas beat R. A. Howe, 6-2, 7-9, 6-4; 11. A. Barnett lost to R. McKenzie, 6-4, 6-4; R. G. Pattinson beat R. McL. Ferkins, 7-9, 6-1, 9-7 Doubles (Friday): Angas and Pattinson beat McKenzie and Ferkins, 6-1, 6-2; Brown and Barnett beat Edward and Howe, 6-0, 6-3. Doubles (Saturday) : Brown and Barnett beat McKenzie and Ferkins, 6-3, 2-6. 6-4; Angas and Pattinson won a set 11-9 and Edwards and Howe won a set 9-7. The match was not finished. Nunneley Casket. Singles (Friday): Miss T. Poole beat Mrs. M. Green, 6-1, 6-1; Miss K. Armstrong lost to Mrs. R. V. Robb, 7-8, 6-8; Miss .1. Senior lost to Miss F. Ferine 2-6. 4-6, Miss C. Chester lost to Miss J. Beban, 3-b, Singles (Saturday): Miss J. Senior beat Miss Beban 6-3. 6-4; Miss C. Chester lost to ’Miss F Fernie, 1-6. 1-6; Miss I. 1 oole beat Mrs- R V. Robb, 6;3. 6-1; Miss, K. Armstrong beat Mrs. AJ- Ureen, 6-3, <-•>. Doubles (Friday): Misses Pooie and Chester beat Misses Fernie and Bet).in. 5-7 64, 8-6; Misses Armstrong and Senior lost to Mesdames Robb and Green, --o, 1 Doubles (Saturday): Misses Armstrong and Senior lost to Aliases Ro* l3 " J!! 1 } nie 4-6, 4-6; Misses Poole and Chester lost to Mesdames Robb and Green, 6-3. 1-6. a-i.