NORTH OTAGO TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO TENNIS

Favoured with fine weather since the season commenced the game of lawn in North Otago has made an auspicious start, and prospects for a succesfsul season are bright. All the clubs, both in town and in the country, show increased memberships, and the enthusiasm being manifested is a happy augury for the future of the game here."

Oamaru’s star player, Miss Dora Miller, has already scored a signal success by her defeat of the Misses T. and I. Poole, of Christchurch, at the Waimate jubilee tournament. Miss Miller is playing very strongly at the moment, and should be a favoured aspirant for the New Zealand title at Christchurch in the new year. Last year, it will bo remembered, Miss Miller met with misfortune when she snapped a ligament in her leg, thus depriving her of competing in the New Zealand championships at Timaru. Prior to her accident she was playing strongly and accurately, and was expected to have reached the top flight in tennis circles in this country. From her present form it is confidently expected that Miss Miller will fully extend the best exponents of tennis in the Dominion. In practice matches with S. G. M'Dougall, former Otago champion, and A. Feathers,' Oamaru’s top player, Miss Miller has recently defeated both players fairly comfortably. She has intimated that sho will be taking part in the Otago and South Island championships to be held in Dunedin next year. Her progress during the season will be watched with interest by all South Islanders, and particularly tennis enthusiasts in Otago and Southland. S. G. M'Dougall (president of the North Otago Lawn Tennis Association) is still a force to bo reckoned with on the courts, and occupies second place on the North Otago ladder. A. Feathers, top man, has yet to roach his best form. Too much squasli and badminton during tho winter months has obviously spoiled his play, but with practice he should again bring success to Oamaru. L. Green, ranked tenth in Dunedin last year, is playing for the Awamoa Club this season, and at tho moment occupies fifth place on tho Ladder. J. Stevens, also of Dunedin, has joined the Awamoa Club, and holds third place. Both these players are a decided acquisition to tho club and to Oamaru tennis generally. Tho opening of the competitions last Saturday created a surprise in the defeat of Waimate by Awamoa A. Last year Waimate accounted for the latter club fairly comfortably. Oamaru, last year’s winners, beat Moadowbank by 10 matches to six. Miss Corrigal achieved the distinction of taking five games from Miss Dora Miller. Columba had little difficulty in defeating Awamoa B.