STURT SURPRISES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20717, 30 January 1939, Page 10

STURT SURPRISES

AUCKLAND TENNIS

PLAY IN MEN’B BINGLEB DEFEAT OF J. T. MAYSON (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday By reproducing the form which he showed at the height of his career several seasons ago, N. G. Sturt provided the most sensational turn in the Auckland tennis championships to date when in the semi-finals of the men’s singles on Saturday he defeated J. T. Mayson, present holder of the Canterbury title and Auckland's leading singles player, in straight sets. Sturt has seldom played so well and though Mayson used every weapon he could to break the winner's devastating run he could not hold off Sturt. In the first set the games went to 3—2 with the service but Sturt then broke through his opponent's delivery

and continued in brilliant style to take the set. No fewer than seven breaks against the service were recorded in the second set and this made Sturt's task all the easier. When an attempt to increase the pace in the third set had only resulted in the loss of fouij games, Mayson slowed his game up and then took the fifth and sixth games. Sturt won the seventh on his own service to love but Mayson captured the next, only to lose the ninth game, the set and the match, after two deuces.

Combined Doubles Final

The tennis in the other semi-final between N. F. Bedford and J. W. Gunn did not reach a high standard, there being too many loose shots. Bedford led 4—2 in the first set by attacking Gunn’s backhand but Gunn then made a good recovery and serving and volleying well, evened the games. Bedford went into the lead at 5—4 and took the set on his own service. After Gunn had led 2-love in the second set Bedford W'on four games in a row' and then, after dropping the seventh, went on to «win the set. In the final set Bedford w-as more aggressive and appeared to have the match in hand.

By superior positional play and better combination Misses N. and M. Beverley easily defeated Misses M. Macfarlane and R. Taylor in the semifinals of the women’s doubles. Miss N. Beverley's overhead work was outstanding while her sister was always menacing on the forehand. In many instances the Waikato v pair scored points from clear winners. The final of the combined doubles provided Waikato with its first success of the tournament wiicn Miss N. Beverley, partnered by W. T. Pountney, of Auckland, disposed of R. W. Smith and Miss P. Cooke in straight sets. The ability of the winners to take the net position and completely master their opponents with accurate volleying led to a fairly easy victory. Pountney was very severe overhead and Miss Beverley could always be relied upon. Results:—

Men's Blnglea

Semi-finals.—N. F. Bedford beat J. W. Gunn, 7—5, 6—3. 6—l; N. G, Sturt beat J. T. Mayson, 6—2, 6 —4, 6 —3.

Men’s Doubles

Semi-final.—R. W. Smith and M. T. Wilson beat J. C. Charters and R. G. Pattinson, 6—2, 6—4, 5—7, 6—l. Women’s Doubles

Semi-finals. —Misses B. L. Bishop and P. Cooke beat Misses B. Griffiths and J. St. George, 7—5, 7—5; Misses N. and M. Beverley beat Misses M. Macfarlane and R. Taylor. 6 —3, 6—o.

Combined Doubles

Final. —W. T. Pountney and Miss X. Beverley beat R. W. Smith and Miss P. Cooke, 6—2, 6—2. Women’s Singles—B Grade

Final. —Miss P. Mitchell beat Miss J. Howie, 3—6, 6—4, 6—3.

Intermediate Girls’ Singles

Semi-final.—-Miss M. Beverley beat Miss B. Potter, 6—3, 7—5.

Intermediate Boys’ Doubles

Second Round.— F. G. Haddock and D. Richardson beat D. Banks and H. Baerance, 7—5, 6—2. Quarter-finals: B. Broun and A. S. Burns beat Haddock and Richardson, 6—2, 6 —o. Intermediate Girls’ Doubles

Semi-final.—Misses M. Beverley and P. Cooke beat Misses M. and R. Hodges, 6—3, 6 —2. Intermediate Combined Doubles

Second Round. —A. 5. Lamond and Miss N. Symes beat T. 11. Knowles and Miss M. Hodges, 6—3. 6—2. Quarterfinals: W. T. Pountney and. Miss M. Beverley beat J. B. Smith and Miss W. Smith, 6—4, 6—2.

:lose play for the day Scores—

Messrs L. F. Casey and J. F. Strang are the umpires. NO PLAY TO-DAY CONDITIONS IMPOSSIBLE After heavy rain this morning and early this afternoon it was decided to abandon for the day play in the Hawke Cup cricket match between Waikato holders) and Hawke’s Bay (challengers). An examination of the wicket was made at 11 o'clock this

morning by the umpires, who considered it possible to make a start at '2 o'clock if the rain slackened. However, this afternoon the wicket was unplayable while the outfield was saturated. In the event of no decision being reached in the match to-morrow flie rules allow for an extra day’s play providing both sides are agreeable. This will no doubt be observed should there be no continuation of the match to-morrow.

HAWKE'S BAY —First Innings R. Conole, c Skeet, b Everest . . 4 T. Johnson, b M. Lyon 32 E. Evans, b Lissette 55 M. Thomas, c Skeet, b Lissette .. 9 M. Beuth. c Badelev, b M. Lyon . . 10 T. Reaney/c Aitken, b Going ... 28 A. Beek, b Going 13 E. Robinson, c Clough, b Everest 4 IT. Dean, c Barieley, b Going .... 0 IT. Reaney, not out 0 S. Northe, b Everest 0 Fall of Wickers—One for 9. two for 78. three for in], four for 106, five for 132. six for 144, seven for 57.

right for 157 , nine for 157 , ten for Bowling 0, M. R. W. E. Everest . . 12.5 4 25 3 T. Lyon .... 9 2 21 0 S. A. R. Badlej 8 0 28 0 H. Going .... 11 5 24 3 M. Lyon 10 1 31 2 A. Lissette .. 5 0 26 *2

T. WAIKATO—First Innings Lyon, c Thomas, b H. Reanev 8 M. Lyon, b T. Reaney 21 A. Lissette, c H. Reaney. b T. Reaney 3 P. Bright, c Evans, b Beuth .... 46 S. A. R. Badeley, c Conole, b T. A. Reaney 0 J, Aitken. not out 27 D. Morgan, not out 2 Extras 5 Total for five wickets 112