GOOD SHOWING

Evening Star, Issue 25994, 8 January 1947, Page 7

GOOD SHOWING

OTAGO REPRESENTATION (Special.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 8. After the first three days’ play Otago is still fairly well represented in the various events. True, J. E. Robson, went down to N. V. Edwards, although he thoroughly extended the former champion over the first three sets, but Miss Mavis Kerr played superbly yesterday to enter the final eight. She defeated the Canterbury representative player, Miss M. F. Burrell, after dropping the first set 1-6. This match was marked by excellent driving, and Miss Kerr, whose beautifully-produced strokes and pleasant court temperament make her popular with the gallery, was definitely on top in the deciding set. D. F. Radford gave McKenzie some anxious moments m the first two sets of their singles yesterday. His powerful first service, strongly-hit, and good length drives and ability to adapt himself to a slow court gave him the second set. Miss Kerr, with Mrs J. H. Adams, of Southland, entered the semi-finals at the expense- of a fellow Otago player, Mrs D. Rawlinson, who teamed with Miss J. Hansen, of Auckland. It was a hard-fought match, but Miss Kerr and Mrs Adams have worked up a sound understanding and they won in straight sets. ' Robson and O. M. Bold, Hutt Valley, were not seriously extended to beat the Wellington pair and they should have a good chance of reaching the final. Another Otago combination, J. C. Robertson and J. W. Paterson, could make little impression on the experienced and well-equipped Wellingtonians, R. McL. Ferkins and R. V. Robb. Present indications are that the men’s singles title will be retained by R. S. McKenzie, especially since J. W.-Gunn was eliminated by Bold. . The women’s singles is more open, although the holder, Miss M. " Beverley, v/ho played very sluggishly in the Canterbury tournament, is now regaining some of her pre-war form. Mrs K. Hart (Can* terbury), Miss Kerr, Mrs J. Graham (Hutt Valley), and Mrs J. McVay (Wellington) are all capable of causing an upset.