COUNTRY INTER-CLUB COMPETITION ZONED

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1947, Page 5

COUNTRY INTER-CLUB COMPETITION ZONED

TENNIS

AN inter-club competition for country, centres has been organised by the Whangarei Lawn Tennis Sub-Association. The final steps were taken at an enthusiastic meeting at Titoki this week. Seven teams have entered and these have been divided into north and south zones. Play commences on December 6.

j The association president (Mr R. Cross) presided over the meeting, which was attended by Messrs A. Calvert and V. Edge (Whatitiri), M. Grace and W. Bradley (Maunagtapere), I. Fraser and G. Alexander (Titoki), R. Hunter and K. Grantham (Parakao), and K. Cates (Houto). Mr R. Cameron, secretary of the association, was also present. Representatives of the Pakotai and Maungakaramea clubs were unable to attend on account of transport difficulties. Mr Cross stated that the association was keen to foster tennis in the country districts just as it did in the town, and realised the need for organised competitive play among rural players. In the past country clubs had derived no benefit from affiliation to the association except that their members were eligible to take part in open tournaments. "It is only by organised competitive play that the standard of tennis can be built up and interest and enthusiasm in the game restored to its pre-war level, when it was Northland’s major summer sport,” Mr Cross said. ‘■The institution of a country interclub competition is a vital step towards achieving that object,” he said. Mr Cross pointed out that the association had no wish to interfere with friendly matches already arranged by clubs or to upset club competitions. OVERCOMES DISTANCE All delegates supported the inauguration of tlie new competition but felt that zoning was necessary to overcome travelling difficulties. The distance between some clubs interested was too much to permit their playing against each other. Zoning was agreed upon and clubs were drafted thus: South zone: Maungatapere, Whatitiri, Maungakaramea. North zone; Titoki, Houto, Parakao, Pakotai. With a start being made on December 6, the preliminary round will be completed before Christmas and the final between the zone winners will be played in January. It was also suggested that the successful country team play the winner of the town B grade competition. The same rules as apply to the town competition are to be adopted except that starting times arc to be arrived at by mutual arrangement to fit in with’the requiremens of the farmerplayers. The opening draw is:— North zone.—Houto v Parakao, at Houto: Titoki v Pakotai, at Pakotai. South zone.—Maungakaramea v Whatitiri, at Whatitiri; Maungatapere a bye. DOUBLES LADDER The Whangarei association has received 18 nominations for the men’s

doubles ladder and eight for the women’s. In making the initial allocation of places of the men’s pairs, the association officials had a difficult task as several appeared to be very evenly matched. However, as the challenge rules have been waived for the first month to allow free challenging for any position, the contenders should soon sort themselves into something like their true positions. J. Burch and T. O’Carroll (Mairtown) have been placed at the top on account of their winning the Northland doubles title last Easter. Misses M. Fitnlayson (Whangarei) and B. Birchall (Mairtown) have been allocated No. 1 position among the women because they too hold the Northland title. It is expected that this pair will take a lot of ousting from pride of place. The order of ranking is:— Men.—J. Burch and T. O’Carroll, J. Shaw and J. Price, R. Mullins and C. Wyatt, J. Small and E. Elliott, H. Berridge and R. Cameron, L. Price and I. Neale, G. Harnett and R. Crawford, R. Beresford and R. Cross, C. Hughes and R. Jennings, C. Davidson and M. Baigent, T. McKegg and K. Thorburn, J. Wells and A. Henry. Women.—Misses M. Finlayson and B. Birchall. Mesdames D. Campbell and A. Arneil, Miss M. Carter and Mrs Tomlinson. Mesdames Bedggood and McKegg, Misses E. Lorimer and V. Williams, Miss Y. M'cßeath and Mrs Seyb, Mesdames Kempe and Knew, Mesdames Hanna and Gillibrand. O’CARROLL RETAINS POSITION In the first challenge match on the men’s singles ladder, T. O’Carroll beat R. Cameron in three sets to retain third position. a match earlier in th eseasno.C In a match earlier in the season, Cameron beat O’Carroll for top position at Mairtown but the latter regained pride of place with his latest win. Cther matches arranged for the. near future arc C. Hughes v J. Price, R. Crawford v C. Wyatt and J. Small v R. Carter Present ladder positions are:— Men—R. Mullins, R. Carter, T. O’Cnrroll, T. McKegg. If Berridge, J. Price, M. Baigent. E. Bedggood, C. Hughes, C. Wyatt, R. Cameron and I. Neale. Women.—Misses M. Finlayson, B. Birchall, C. Connolly, Mrs N. Bedggood, Mrs A. Arneil. Misses M. Carter, Y. Mcßeath and Mrs Kempe.