Tennis

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 28, 3 December 1948, Page 5

Tennis

Whakatane L.T.C. To Restrict Roll The Whakatane Lawn Tennis Club’s Executive, having considered further membership "applications from 12 women and 4 men, accepted all applications on hand. The secretary reported, however, that the membership at this stage was 57 women and 49 men and suggested that consideration should be given to the question of total membership of the club. All members of the committee agreed that it was desirable < to decide now on the .maximum number of players to be accepted. It was resolved unanimously that membership be limited to 120, 60 women and 60 men, but that five vacancies be retained in each group for new arrivals to Whakatane. In view of the fact that the women’s membership is now 57 it was decided tq institute a waiting list. It is believed that the remaining six vacancies in the m.en’s section will be completed early. The club will be competing in the Dunlop Shield, and the Watt, Lees and Morton Cups. Some interesting games should be witnessed on the local courts this season, and there is a possibility that-the New South Wales visiting team may be seen in action. The present arrangement is that their game versus 8.0. P. be played at Whakatane if scheduled for a week-end or at Taurhnga if a week day. A donation to the funds of the club was received from Mrs A. E. Hawken “Rochford,” Edgecumbe—the resident remarking that it was very encouraging to think that the organisation was considered worthy of practical support and encouragement. A shield has also been donated by Mr C. L.' Hudson for competition as decided by the committee. Several members spoke in appreciation of the donor’s interest in the club and of the valuable assistance he had always, rendered. , By resolution it'was decided that the club proffer the use of its courts on two days this season to the District High School for the school tennis tournament. It was also agreed that the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools Sports Association be notified that the club’s courts were -available to it when Whakatane was selected as the venue for the Association’s annual sports tourney. Opotiki Leading: Rangitaiki . Rain unfortunately prevented a decision being reached at Edgeciimbe when' Opotiki was leading Rangitaiki by seven matches to five with four unfinished in the. first round of the Dunlop Shield matches. The Opitiki men with’the exception of S. McLaughlin were outclassed, while the Opotiki ladies were the superior of the two teams. The outstanding match was the courageous victory of S. McLaughlin over B. Penny, the reigning New Zealand Maqri singles champion. Down 1/5 in the third set McLaughlin fought back strongly and after some marathon rallies took six games in a row to win 7/5. Waimana Beaten In Morton Cup Play In an elimination round of the Morton Cup “B” grade competition played on the Opotiki courts on -Sunday the home team were successful in beating the Waimana team by 10 matches to 6, thus earning the right of a direct challenge to the holders of the cup on February 5. Teams For Week-End Matches Whakatane Lawn Tennis Club teams to play during the week-end: A team (to play Tauranga at Whakatane tomorrow for the Dunlop Shield, at 10 a.m.): — Men: P. Bryers, I. Wylds, G. Gordon, E. Wilson. Women: Miss Hall, Mrs McDonald, Mrs Bridger, Mrs Morgan. B team (to play. Rangitaiki at Edgecumbe on Sunday for the WattCup). Players asemble at 9.30 aim.: Men: P. Wylds, R. Hansen, B. Carrig, C. Wylds. Women: IVfiss Grant, Miss Mahy, Miss Righton. ’Mrs McKenzie.