LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

SHIELD CHALLENGE WAIKATO TEAM FAILS AUCKLAND'S DECISIVE WIN BY SIDELINE Although a victory for Auckland against Waikato in the Wilding Shield challenge match was confidently expected, the decisive nature of the win came as a surprise. J. Poach, who led the challenging team, has certainly been seen to better advantage. He recorded Waikato's only win when he defeated T. Pountney, who substituted for J. T. Mayson after the latter had hurt his arm, but was outgeneralled J. W. Gunn, who played steadily and allowed the Waikato player to beat himself. Livingstone played a good match against Mayson and it was expected that ho would fully extend .J. W. Gunn, but the Aucklander won fairly comfortably in two sets. D. Clow could make no impression on N. G. Sturt, whose winning shots flowed in one incessant stream with angled volleys and wide drives, The Auckland captain also accounted easily for F. W. Jenkinson. D. Clow showed much-improved form against N. Bedford, who, however, was not as accurate as usual and seemed unusually prone to drive and volley over the lines. The Hamilton player, who displayed remarkable activity, had a set point in the first set, which he lost at B—6. He won the second from I —3 down and was on terms at 4-all in the third, but lost at 6—4. T. Pountney, playing as substitute for Mayson, in his first provincial fixture, did well to take a set from Roach and gave N. G. Sturt good support in the doubles. His overhead work and volleying in this match were good, but there is room for considerable improvement in his return of service. Auckland dropped only one set in the doubles and none of the matches was in danger of being lost. Generally speaking, the Auckland pairs had better combination and were much quicker and more certain in taking advantage of opportunities.

INTER-CLUB MATCHES NGATIRA'S UNBEATEN RECORD Inter-club matches in tire first grade hard-court competition were advanced a further stage last Saturday, the Ngatira team defeating Unity and maintaining its unbeaten record. The match between Campbell Park and West End set down for decision at ihe Windmill Road courts was not played owing to rain. ... The positions of clubs in this grade after last Saturday's matches are as follows: — Ch. P. W. L. D. Pts. Ntcntira .. 3 3 West End ..2 2 HallyburtonJohnstoae 2 1 1 Campbell Park .2 1 1 Papatoeloe 3 Unity .. .. 2 Ngatira and West End will meet at the Ngatira Club's courts on January !4. There will be a general exodus of Auckland's better players this week, as they will compete in southern tournaments. N. G. Sturt will play in the Wellington championships, in which events he will be partnered by D. G. Franco in the men's doubles and by M iss May Hardcastle. of Brisbane, in the combined event. He will then play in the Dominion championships at Christchurch, where he will be partnered by J. T. Mayson. N. Bedford is to play in the Dominion championships and J. W. Gunn and J. T. Mayson will play in the Canterbury championships and then the Dominion tournament wh'cli follows. Bedford and Gunn are to play together at the Dominion meeting.

Miss Hardcastle. N. G. Sturt's partner, is a Queensland player ranked sixth in Australia. She recently won the Australian ladies' hard-court doubles title and was runner-up in the singles. In 1937 she recorded wins over Misses N. Wynne. Thelma Coyne. Dorothy Workman and Mrs. Westacott. Miss Rice, New South Wales, will also take part in the Wellington and Dominion championships. She is ranked seventh in New South Wales.