CATHOLIC TENNIS IN WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 December 1950, Page 6

CATHOLIC TENNIS IN WANGANUI

Surprises In Shield Doubles The New Zealand Catholic Lawn Tennis Association’s Christmas carnival set oft to a good start on two Wanganui club courts yesterday with Watson Shield and men's pre-cham-pionship rounds. Among the seeded players in the Watson Snield competition on the St. Mary’s courts, the tennis was generally of a high standard. The pre-championship play at Gonville also produced some good games.

Two surprises in the Watson Shield rounds were provided in the women’s and men’s doubles, where Wanganui couples defeated top-ranking Welling, ton players. Otherwise the games ran fairly true to form. Playir.g a good tactical game to neutralise the effect of their opponents’ strong drives, Mrs G. Wrigley and Miss M. McCashin (Wanganui) defeated Misses E. and M. McNeill (Wellington), 9-8. The Misses McNeill head the Catholic association’s women’s ranking list and for the lasi three seasons they have captured the women’s doubles title at the carnival. K. Mahoney and M. O’Connell (Wanganui) caused the other upset when they notched a 9-8 win over M. Doyle and J. Heather (Wellington). The Wanganui pair started poorly, being behind 5-1 after six games, but steadily fought back to snatch the decision. Sound combination and Mahoney’s relentless smashing were the main factors in Wanganui's win. Although play was extended into the early evening, a decision had been reached in only one match for the Shield. ..This was a narrow win for the Wanganui-Manawatu team over Waikato. The two teams tied 12-all on the sets, but Wanganui had a seven game margin with a total of 178. In the other first-round match Taranaki and Auckland were still struggling for a decision when the first day s play ended. With four sets still to be played, Auckland is in the favoured position, leading 12 sets to eight. . With one more set Auckland can gain the decision. Wellington, who had the bye in the first round, has begun the secondround match with Wanganui. At the end of yesterday’s play thte teams were eoual. two sets each. Details of yesterday’s Watson Shield games are: — WANGANUI v. WAIKATO. (Wanganui players named first). Men’s singles.—K. Mahoney lost to M. Healey, 4-9; J- Laird lost to A. Mueller, 5-9; R. McArley lost to J. Prendergast, 6-9; J. Coe beat J. Roberts, 9-6; M. O'Connell beat M. Roberts,’ 9-6; J. Heagney beat P. Rice, 9-8. Women’s singles.—Miss M. McCashin beat Miss Z. Flynn, 9-4; Mrs G. Wrigley beat Miss L. McCracken, 9-6, Miss J. McCashin lost to Miss V. Mann 5-9; Miss J. Manson lost to Mrs J. Mueller, 4-9; Miss B. Hill beat Miss M. Morrisey, 9-4; Miss J. Luxford lost to Miss A. Walker, 8-9. Men’s doubles—Mahoney and O’Connell lost to Healey and Prendergast, 8-9; Laird and McArley beat Mueller and Rice, 9-6; Coe and Heagney lost to Roberts and Roberts, 3-9. Women’s doubles.—Mrs Wrigley and Miss M. McCashin beat Misses Flynn and McCracken, 9-6; Misses J. McCashin and Manson beat Miss Mann and Mrs Mueller, 9-6; Misses Luxford