Robson Loses Title To Brilliant Australian

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 2

Robson Loses Title To Brilliant Australian

Sports Commentary

By the Sports Editor

J. E. Robson, Otago’s leading lawn tennis player and holder of the New Zealand Singles Championship in 1949, lost his title last Saturday, but not to a fellow New Zealander. Robson was defeated in the final 5 — 4 ( 6—3, 7—5 by the New South Wales and Australian Davis Cup player, George Worthington, after an interesting game played under difficult conditions. Heavy rain overnight slowed down the surface of the courts and affected the bounce of the ball accordingly. In addition, the courts were not in good order, and bad bounces occasionally upset the calculations of the players.

Worthington proved himself a brilliant player, and at no stage in the final did he appear in danger of defeat. Robson fought hard and at times brilliantly, but the young Australian countered the Otago player’s aggressive intentions by still greater efforts in attack. Robson is recognised throughout the Dominion as being most dangerous when playing from the net positions. Worthington had not played more than one round in the championships before it was apparent that he was deadly on anything within reach at the net.

It was not unexpected, therefore, when both men made it evident in the final that it was their intention to command the net. In fact, so valuable was the front-of-court position that both men followed their services in. Even when 5 —6 and o—4o in the third set, with three match points against him, Robson still rushed the net on his service. He actually pulled up to 30—40 and lost the next point and his title upon a misjudgment. Following his service. Robson threw Worthington well out of court with a nice-angled deep volley. The Australian reached the ball and drove hard and deep. The ball was within reach of Robson as it flew across the net, but the Otago player elected to let it go, only to see it scorch the backline. The new champion is a devotee of the aggressive creed favoured by Jack Kramer in particular and by American players generally. He attacks relentlessly, allowing his opponents no chance to take the initiative. His service is probably the fastest seen in New Zealand for several years, except that of his own countryman, G. Brown, and he makes full use of the advantage this gives him 1 . Both his forehand and backhand drives carry pace and are driven close to the lines. His volleying, for which he stands almost over the net, is punched hard down into his opponents court from above net level.

Altogether Worthington is an outstanding player, with almost every stroke at his command and with practically no weaknesses. His favourite shot and one with which he scores innumerable points is a drive volley. In Worthington and Sedgman, who was seen here last season, Australia has a fine pair of world-class young players. Former Sportsman’s Visit

Revisiting Dunedin is Mr R. A. Wilkie, who has been living in Sydney for the past 26 years, and was last in his native city 11 years ago. One of three brothers who played for the Dunedin Cricket Club in the early years of the present century, Mr Wilkie, a left-hand batsman and bowler, represented Otago on the cricket field, and also had considerable success as a lawn tennis player. He was a member of the Kaituna Lawn Tennis Club, and on two occasions won the Otago Men’s. Championship Doubles, his respective partners being W. Brag and G. Clark. One of his brothers, Mr J. Wilkie, is still living in Dunedin, and the other, Mr D. Wilkie, died some years ago. Mr Wilkie intends spending about two months in the Dominion. Another “ Old Firm ” Batsmen who figure regularly in big partnerships may lay claim to the sobriquet “ old firm." Perhaps the most famous of these was the Hobbs-Sutcliffe combination, which often built up big first-wicket partnerships for England. A more humble “ old firm,” but one which has done comparably good work for its side is the C. J. Elmes-T. A. Freeman combination for Grange. Time and again in recent seasons these two have rescued Grange from almoist hopeless positions with century partnerships which have not only been the deciding factor in the game concerned, but did much to establish Grange at the top of the competition last season. This "old firm” was again at work on Saturday. After a disastrous start, Grange had lost seven wickets for only 40 runs when Elmes joined Freeman in another century partnership which pulled the game completely out of the fire. Both players batted very well, picking the correct ball to hit and making no mistake about hitting the loose ball to or over the short North Ground boundary. In his 62 Elmes showed glimpses of the form which took him into the New Zealand side some 13 years ago and Freeman showed commendable restraint in his 59 which was probably of more value to his side than either of the two centuries he has already made this season. Mainstays Of Batting D. J. Simpson and D. Trevathan scored over 100 of North-East Valley s 156 against Albion-YMCA on Saturday, and had they not elected to go for the runs. Valley’s total would probably have been considerably less. Simpson, who compiled 73 not out, scored most of his runs in front of the wicket and, although good fortune may have favoured him, his innings had much to commend it. This young cricketer shows a lot of promise and would be wise to pay more attention to backward defensive strokes. Trevathan s 34 were made in 27 minutes and included two 6's and four 4’s. Catcher’s Brilliant Display R. Birtles, a former South Island captain, recently signalled his return to softball with a brilliant display of catching and’ batting. On Saturday, playing for St. Kilda against Logan Park, Birtles gave further proof of his ability in the catching position. The high ball which other players would let go was always jumped for and very often collected. No batter batting a ball into foul territory is safe from Birtles who always attempts to get it to make a put-out, as many of the opposition found to their cost on Saturday. After Saturday’s game, Birtles may also be listed as one of the most astute base runners in the local competition, since it was by his ability in this direction that several runs were scored for his team. On his recent displays he is almost certain to be selected for the trials for the South Island team. Spectators Disappointed The large crowd of spectators at the Gardens ground on Saturday were a little disappointed when the Otago professional, B. Sutcliffe, was dismissed for 30 in Albion-YMCA's first innings against North-East Valley, but at the same time most of them realised that after his record-breaking performances over the holiday period, it was reasonable to expect a smaller total than usual. Sutcliffe and L. D. Smith fielded well for the combined side, and for that matter they were the only fieldsmen who appeared to concentrate on this important department. Swimming Judges

The secretary of the Australian Swimming Union, Mr W. B. Phillips, has been appointed one of the two chief judges of swimming at the British Empire Games, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The other chief judge is Mr J. A. Yule, formerly president of the Southland Swimming Centre. Mr Phillips will also be the official representative of the International Swimming Federation. His appointment as chief judge follows special work carried out in a similar capacity at the Olympic Games in 1948. Australia will be represented at the Empire Games conference in Auckland by the chairman, Mr H. R. Alderson, and secretary, Mr J. S. Eve.