VISITING TENNIS PLAYERS PROVIDE FAST MATCHES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22868, 11 February 1949, Page 2

VISITING TENNIS PLAYERS PROVIDE FAST MATCHES

(Herald Correspondent.) A large crowd at the Tokomaru Bay eourts Was recently treated to a fine exhibition of tennis in a series of five matches, in which G. Robson, New Zealand national singles champion, J. Barry, Auckland senior singles champion, Miss E. Attwood. Auckland singles champion, Miss M. Kerr, twice runnerup in the New Zealand national singles championship, D. Richardson and J. Paerata. ranked first and fourth respectively in the P.8.-East Coast Lawn Tennis Association, and Miss L. Karauti and Mr;s. Hutchinson, ranked first and second respectively, participated, v In a combined doubles match J. Barry and Miss E. Attwood played G. Robson dnd Miss M. Kerr. In this the steadiness of Barry and Miss Attwood prevailed against the net storming of Robson and Miss Kerr, who fell into errors more consistently than their opponents. Spectacular Play in Men’s Doubles In a women’s singles between Miss Attwood and Miss Kerr, the former made fewer mistakes, though Miss Kerr strove hard to out-manoeuvre her opponent. Features of this set were Miss Attwood’s volley driving and positional play and Miss Kerr’s overhead work and smooth exposition on the backhand. A men’s doubles, provided, at frequent intervals, spectacular tennis. In the early stages of both sets, the local players, D. Richardson and J. Paerata, offered stiff resistance, particularly the former, who was in fine form. The combination and understanding of the champions in playing for the net position was appreciated by the spectators. Richardson and Paerata went down in both sets to a more experienced and efficient combination. Robson and Barry had several baseline duels, with both players playing hard for the sidelines, in a singles match. Both players, though feeling the strain of a very strenuous weekend of exhibition tennis, strove hard to produce the high-class game of which they are capable and in this the crowd was not disappointed. District Players Defeated

Misses Attwood and Kerr were too strong for Mrs. Hutchinson and Miss Karauti. Mrs. Hutchinson sought to remain on the baseline, but this proved costly. The visitors were the winners, 9- —2. This match concluded a fine exhibition of tennis and those present were disappointed when the singles match between Robson and Richardson was cancelled. The court deportment and fine physi-cal-condition of the visitors was a lesson’to the many young players present. Results were as follows: J. Barry and Miss E. Attwood d. G. Robson and Miss M. Kerr. &—6: Miss E. Attwood d. Miss M. Kerr .9 —7; G. Robson and J. Barry d. D. Richardson and J. Paerata, 6 —3, G. Robson d. J. Barry, 9 —5; Misses E. Attwood and Miss M. Kerr d. Miss L 7 Karauti and Mrs. Hutchinson, 9 —2. The visitors were welcomed by Mr. E. Knox, president of the Tokomar’u Bay Tennis Club. ■Following the matches, Mr. D. Richardson, president of the P.8.-East Coast Lawn Tennis Association, stated that the East Coast clubs in future would recfeive more attention than formerly from the parent association.