N.Z. WOMEN LOSE TO N.S.W.

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1949, Page 7

N.Z. WOMEN LOSE TO N.S.W.

SYDNEY, November 13 New South Wales defeated New Zealand in a two-day women’s tenis match at the White City courts by 13 rubbers (28 sets) to one rubber (four sets). The. contest ended when play in the sixth and last singles was in progress. Earlier singles games had been interrupted by a light rain, and finally a downpour called a halt to play. Although unable to match the speed and precision of the New South Wales players, the New Zealanders should derive much benefit from their matches. A pleasing feature of yesterday’s play from the New Zealand angle, was the greatly improved stroking of the young players, Misses E. Becroft, J. Burke, and J. Mac Gibbon. Aliss Becroft opposed to the New South Wales junior champion, Aliss Penrose, did very well to carry her match to three sets. Miss Becroft, in winning the first set, hit most of her drives with perfect timing and fine speed. She repeatedly left. standing. Later, however, Miss Becroft appeared to tire, as she was unable to maintain the power of her ground shots. Aliss Mac Gibbon again played well. She led 4-2 in the first set against Mrs. D. Fogarty, and 2-0 in the second set, but was unable to. capitalise her advantage, mainly because of forehand mistakes. Miss Burke impressed tennis judges with her style. She again hit her forehand and backhand ground strokes well, but was out-generalled by a more experienced player in Airs. Al. Hawton. The other New Zealanders, Miss Al. L. Kerr, who was still suffering from a strained arm muscle, and Alisses B. • Potter and E. G. Attwood, were outclassed in the singles. Aliss J. Fitch hit with great power against Aliss Potter and Aliss Attwood was being given a tennis lesson by Airs. T. Long when rain stopped their match. Result (New Zealanders mentioned first.) Singles.—Miss J. AlacGibbon v. Mrs D. Fogarty, 5-7, 3-6; Aliss E. Becroft v. Miss R. Penrose, 6- 3, 4-G, 3-6; Miss j. Burke v. Airs. Al. Hawton, 4-6,4-6; Aliss M. L. Kerr v. Aliss E. Ashford, 0-6, 0-6; Aliss B. Potter v. Aliss J. Fitch, 0-6, 2-6; Aliss E. Attwood v. Airs T. Long, 0-6, 0-1 (unfinished). Greymouth Defeat United In the first challenge match of the West Coast Lawn Tennis Association’s season, for the Presidential Trophy, United, the holders, were defeated by live matches to one by the challengers, Grymouth. The United team was of similar strength to that which withstood a strong challenge from Greymouth last season. The Greymouth team showed good all-round strength, losing only one singles match, which went to three sets. United, however, offered more opposition in the doubles, and were unlucky on several occasions not to secure other wins. Further challenges for the trophy have been entered by Kumara, Cobden, and Runanga, the first of which, Greymouth v. Kumara, will take place next Sunday. Details of the matches, with Greymouth players mentioned first, are as follows:— M. Thomas defeated A. P. Hines, 6/1, 6/3. I. Baird defeated R. G. Hamilton, 6/2, 6/3. H. C. Hill defeated A. Hutchison, 6/4, 7/5. Al. McDonald lost to S. R. Egan, 6/1. 2/6, 3/6. Thomas and Hill defeated Hutchison and Hines 6/3, 6/4. Baird and McDonald defeated Hamilton and Egan 5/7, 8/6, 6/3.