REPRESENTATIVE TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 8 March 1935, Page 4

REPRESENTATIVE TENNIS

TARANAKI v. WANGANUI '.V" .& V r* 1 - •' • TO-MORROW’S HAWERA MATCH ‘ COMMENT ON THE TEAMS

- (By “Backhand.”) The following team to represent Taranaki in a tennis match with Wanganui to-morrow at Hawera has been announced:— :Meiy:. S. Clifford Jones - (New.:- Plymouth), .A. Dickie, E. Dickie •(WayerJey), C. H. Stromboni, J. Leggett (New Plymouth), B. Clifford Jones (Elthain). Emergency, P. .McCarthy (Hawera). Women: ’ Misses O. Taylor (New '“Plymouth),'’ A- "Graham (Waverley), P. Wylds (New Plymouth), A. Hicks "(Hawera),. J. Hicks (Park), Mrs J. Leggett -(New Plymouth). Emergency, Ales Baigent (Hawera). ' Play will -commence at 10.30 a.m.

. '.J THE WANGANUI TEAM Tho Wanganui team is announced as follows: - ::: Meni 'D. WC Earle, L. TJdv, N. B. Barkman, M. L.- Lampc, Ha\Campbell,- H. Cox. .'-Women: Miss I. Duncan, Mrs C. Smith, Miss M. Purcell, Mrs D. >V. Earle, Miss T. Greaves, Mrs Richardson. - . Emergencies: K- Met urlane, V. Latham;-Miss Cox, Mrs Ogier. ALL YOUNG PLAYERS The Taranaki players arc all on the voung side in contrast with the team which will probably come from Wanganui. The river city is always able ,to produce a strong side and arc seldom found really wanting when pitted against even the strongest opposition. S. Clifford Jones has earned his position at the top of the team, for during the present season he lias defeated all the leading players of Taranaki. Recently lie defeated C. H. Stromboni for the third time this sea- \ son;

The next three are all on a par in order of merit. Stroinbom is unlucky to be so far down'the list, but Erie Dickie appears to have a “hoodoo” on him. Once more Strombom had to strike his colours when the ■ North-South match was played. > Leggett is an unorthodox player, but seems to be able to “produce the goods,” as he has beaten Strombom • and 'other Taranaki players with his • 'disconcerting “cut” stroke. Bruce Clifford Jones is a promising young player and deserves his. inclusion in tho team after his win over ■ Christie in the North-South match and over McCarthy in two straight sets in a South Taranaki ladder match. Mis Taylor’s position is undisputed, as has . been - able to with- ■ hold all * challenges for the position during the lastr two years. ~ Graham, playing second, is a young and promising player with perfect stroking. Her win over Miss Peggy Wylds -in - the North-South matgh. earned the position for her. .Miss Wylds, with her wins in the Hawera and New Plymouth tournaments, is in her right place* She -should be: able:to:hold her opponent. Miss "A. Hicks, when she settles

d6wn, is always dependable, and the only /comment on as far as she hi concerned. would- have been to voice a protest had sho been excluded. Miss Joyce Hicks, the Park player, has not been so prominent this season, owing, it seems, to a lack of practice. . ' • . ; Mrs Leggett, in the North-South match, proved to be , a very determined player, and it took Miss J. Hicks all her time to beat her.

STRONG DOUBLES TEAM From results so far, it would appear that the top pair in the men’s doubles would be the Jones Bros., as they defeated the Waverley pair at the Hawera tournament, and when on their game provide a formidable combination. However, since Christmas ther Dickie Bros, have had plenty of tournament play, and it is possible they may now be the better pair. The two Dickies, no matter where they play, should give a good account of themselves. Leggett and Strombcm won the “'’doubles at the Taranaki tournament at —New— Plymouth- and, taken on the whole, it would seem that Wanganui will have to be fully extended to win the doubles in the men’s section. In the ladies’ section the two Hicks sister# will play top on results so iar, with Misses Taylor and Graham next and * Miss Wyhls and Mrs Leggett next. Whatever the order may be . the Taranaki ladies will receive very stiff opposition as' Wanganui has always had strength in the ladies’ section. The standard of play in Taranaki this year has been remarkably high, and an. indication that the members of the various, clubs have been coached along the right lines. It is significant that the Taranaki team consists of young players, although in the past two years many of them have become almost veterans in tournament play. There ■is the material to provide a . strong combination for many years to come, even- without the advent of many new ones, which is an eventuality unlikely to occur. The two teams are capable of providing sparkling tennis, and the public should wit- . ness some sterling exhibitions.