TENNIS SURPRISES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 366, 7 March 1932, Page 11

TENNIS SURPRISES.

Southern Team Reveals Good Form. CANTERBURY EXTENDED. Several surprises were sprung in the tennis match played on Saturday between teams representing the Canterbury and North Otago Lawn Tennis Associations. In the first place, the match was set down to be played at Wilding Park, but it was finally played on the North Beach Club’s courts—the only place in Christchurch apparently where it had not been raining heavily. One surprise was the stout resistance put up by the team from the south, for, though the Canterbury team won all matches except one, the players were extended to the limit to do so. Another surprise was the defeat of the Canterbury women’s singles champion, Miss Melva Wake, by the North Otago leader, Miss D. Miller. The match was played on hard courts, and this proved to the advantage of the southern players, who met opponents who have not played on hard courts for months. It was not this which made the matches so closely fought, however. It was the persistent attack and good tennis of the visitors, most of whom played a hard-hitting game, and who, in the doubles, combined excellently. They gave a much more impressive display than did the Combined Southern team who met Canterbury in the first round of the Wilding Shield series. Persistent Attack. Miss Miller, who defeated Miss Wake, plays an attractive game and it is a pity that she does not get the practice which would take her a considerable way in New Zealand tennis. It was her persistence as much as her good stroking which made her the winner in the match with Miss Wake. Miss Wake was rather erratic, but even at her best it is doubtful if she would beat the southern girl on a hard court. Of the men. Bryan was the most impressive. In his match with Barnett he lacked steadiness, but that was all; and the young Canterbury player, who was in good form, had to go all out to take the first set, 6-4, from him. Gallagher was impressive. He is one of the strongest hitters seen in the city, and with better control would win more matches. C. Mollison, the manager of the team, who took Bryan’s place in the doubles, showed good form. Results (Canterbury names being given first):— MEN’S SINGLES. IT. A. Barnett heat K. Bryan, 6-4, 6-2. T. W. Patterson beat F. Gallagher, 6-2, 9-7. H. Dymond beat A. Feathers, 6-2, 6-2. J. G. A’Court beat L. M’Kinnon, 6-3, 6-2. WOMEN’S SINGLES. Miss M. Wake lost to Miss D. Miller, 0-6, 3-6. Mrs D. Macdonald beat Miss D. Baikie, 6-4, 3-6. 6-0. Miss E. Rudkin beat Mrs D. Borrie. 6-0, 7-5. Miss I. Poole beat Miss M. Weavers, MEN’S DOUBLES. Barnett and Patterson beat C. Mollison and Gallagher, 6-4, 6-2. Dymond and A’Court beat Feathers and M’Kinnon, 4-6, 11-9, 6-2. WOMEN’S DOUBLES. Misses Wake and Rudkin beat Mrs Borrie and Miss Baikie, 6-1, 6-2. Mrs Macdonald and Miss Poole v. Misses Miller and Weavers, set all, unfinished. COMBINED DOUBLES. Miss Wake and Barnett beat Miss Baikie and Bryan, 6-0, 6-3. Miss Poole and Patterson beat Miss Weavers and Gallagher, 6-2, 6-2. .Mrs Macdonald and Dymond beat Miss Miller and Feathers, 8-10, 6-4. 6-1. Miss Rudkin and A’Court beat Mrs Borrie and M’Kinnon. 6-4, 7-5. Canterbury, 14 matches; North Otago,