Robson Caps Notable Record With National Lawn Tennis Title

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26982, 18 January 1949, Page 8

Robson Caps Notable Record With National Lawn Tennis Title

Sports Commentary

By the Sports Editor.

For the first time in the history of Otago lawn tennis, the New Zealand Men’s Singles Championship has come to this province. Jeff Robson, Otago-born University and Otago representative, by a display of superb tennis, defeated the former title holder, Ron McKenzie, last Saturday, to win the Dominion’s premier tennis honour. • The Otago player produced tennis which kept his aggressive opponent subdued, and compelled McKenzie when he did attempt to outplay Robson to overdrive a large .percentage of the shots which were outside Robson’s reach. •

All Otago followers of the game will join in congratulating Robson on a very fine performance and wishing him continued success in his tennis career. J. E. Robson, one of the finest players ever produced in Otago and certainly the most successful, is a product of the King's High School, Dunedin, where he won the School Championship in 1942 and 1943. During the same period he captured the Otago and Canterbury Junior Singles titles and the Canterbury Doubles title. In 1944, while still a junior and winner of all the Otago Junior titles, he won the open Singles and Doubles at the Otago Easter Tournament, completing a very successful year by winning the Intermediate Championship of Canterbury and the Open Doubles Championship of Canterbury. During the next four years he became the dominant figure in Otago tennis and a rising star on the horizon of national tennis. In 1947, after winning provincial titles throughout New Zealand, he finished the season by adding to his record the New Zealand Men’s Doubles Championship (with Owen Bold), the Men’s Plate, the North Island Men’s Doubles (with J. A. Barry), the Mixed Doubles with Miss M. Kerr, and the Auckland Singles title. Robson had now become a force to be reckoned with when New Zealand titles were at stake, and’by the merit of his performances he won his way into the Davis Cup team. He was then ranked No. 3 in New Zealand tennis. A feature of his success overseas as a member of the Davis Cup side was his performance in reaching the last sixteen in the Singles Championship at Wimbledon, a feat equalled by only two other New Zealanders. In addition he scored double victories, winning two titles, at Felixstowe, Scarborough, Cumberland and Llanelly and one title at Tunbridge Wells and Torquay. In 1948 it became apparent that Robson was second only to R. S. McKenzie in New Zealand, and;that his experience overseas had raised the tactical standard of his game above that of his other contemporaries. The possibility of his winning the New Zealand title was evident when he defeated McKenzie in the North Island Championships, but the Hutt Valley man reversed the result at the New Zealand meeting to retain his title and his position as No. 1 with Robson as No. 2, on the New Zealand ranking ladder. This year Robson’s club form was disappointing although his decision to leave his preparation for the major championship a little later than in previous years probably had a bearing on his earlier displays. It was apparent, however, through the Canterbury, and North Island Championships that his game was reaching its peak, and although McKenzie defeated him in the Canterbury final, the Otago player took the court last Saturday with more confidence in his own ability, the intervening tournainent play having increased his severity and his accuracy. The nature of his victory, obtained by aggressive tennis, is a cause for satisfaction and rather indicates that Robson has overcome the habit of falling into a defensive role in major matches and has determined to adopt the attacking method so suited to his style and mobility. In addition to winning the New Zealand Men’s Singles Championship, Robson was a finalist in the Doubles, having previously this season won the North Island Singles and Doubles and the Canterbury Doubles titles.. Only 22 years of age, the New Zealand Champion has many years of active play ahead of him, and should add many more titles to his present list and bring still further honour and prestige to the province of his birth and his trainers.

Famous Colts’ Team Recalled During his stay in Dunedin as coach to the Otago Cricket Association. J N. Crawford, the famous English cricketer, who played in South Australia before coming to New Zealand, contributed much to the game by leading and developing his famous Colts’ team in the days just before the first world war.

Mr Crawford is now living at Ewell, Surrey, and in a letter to Mr A. W. Galland, who was one of the notable players in the Colts’ team at that time and afterwards gave outstanding service to Otago for many years, Mr Crawford recalls the really good times he had with the Colts’ team.

“If war had not broken out,” he commented, “ I would have guaranteed that Dunedin would have possessed some of the best cricketers that New Zealand has ever turned out. not that I am blowing by own trumpet, but just because we had such a good understanding with one another and you and the boys were so very keen and such apt pupils. They were grand days in every respect, and I only wish we could have them all over again.” Mr Crawford has not played since 1940, and that was only once, but he managed to get 64 not out and took five for 32. He added that he would have to have another crack at it next summer if he had any stamina left after being "half starved” for seven years.

“We-are all looking forward to the visit of the New Zealand cricketers this summer, and I hope for one that they have a very successful tour, which I am sure they will.”

The old England player added that if any members of the New Zealahd team desired to spend a few days with them wheri they were in England, he would endeavour to give them as good a time as circumstances would allow. Among the members of Crawford's Colts were such prominent players as Galland, J. McMullan, A. W. Alloo, H. C. Alloo, and the peerless Jim Shepherd.