JUNIOR TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 194, 15 May 1944, Page 6

JUNIOR TENNIS

Wellington Tournament

Finals

The Wellington Lawn Tennis Association’s junior invitation tournament was concluded on Saturday with the exception of the boys’ singles, under 10. and girls’ doubles. The largest crowd seen at tenuis in Wellington since 194(F-when the Australian teairTwas here—crowded the !awn ? of the Newtown Lawn Tennis Club. An international flavour was given by the display of flags of the Allied Nations, the presence among the large crowd of the U.S. Charge D’Affaires, Mr. Prescott Childs, and his wife, the Consul for Holland, Mr. Mark Sigevano, and the Consul-General for Po land Count Wodzicki. Officials of the New Zealand and Wellington Lawn Tennis Associations were also present. The outstanding match of the day was the girls’ under 19 singles, in which Miss M. Snelling beat Miss A. Walker, 6-2. 6-3, in an excellent exhibition of tennis, which would have done credit to most senior players. Miss Snelling’s overhead smashing was the best shown by any competitor in the tournament and her forceful ground strokes gave Miss Walker no let-up. Miss Walker displayed a good all-court game, and it was a pleasure to see a girl of her years who is not afraid to advance to the het to finish a rally with a well-placed volley. More should be heard of, both of th The Tioys’ doubles final resulted in a win for G. Mexted, who defeated M. White, 6-1, 6-2. White failed to show the form which resulted in an excellent win over A, Gaskin in the semi-final, and he would be well advised to drop his ineffective twohanded backhand for the more orthodox shot. Mexted played his usual forceful game, but he must improve his second serve and learn to resist the temptation to run around his backhand before he competes in senior company. The girls’ singles under 16 was won by Miss D. Winbond, who beat Miss A. MeCarlie 6-2, 6-5. in a well-contested match. Miss Wiilbond showed tactics beyond her years in her well-directed attack to Mis? MeCarlie’s backhand. The bovs' doubles final resulted in a win for j. Knowsley and R. Benseman, who defeated T. Barber and D. Lawson, 6-2, 6-4. The honours of the match, however, went to Lawson, who, playing with and against three players several years his senior, bore the brunt of the well directed attack from his opponents. Detailed results are as follows: — Bovs’ Singles. Under 19.—Semi-finals: G. Mexted beat W. Barringer, 9-5; M. M hite heat A. Gasken, 9-3. Final: Mexted beat White, 6-1, 6-2. „ „ , „ , Boys’ Singles, Under 16.—Semi-finals: W. Brown beat S. Breeze. 9-1: B. Melted beat R. Arbuckle. 9-7. Boys’ Doubles—Final: R. Benseman and I. Knowsley beat T. Barber and D. Lawson. 6-2. 6-4. , Girls’ Singles. Under 19.—Semi-finals: Miss M. Snelling beat Miss D. Pearce. 9-2; Miss A. Walker beat Miss P. Martyn Renner 9-3. Final: Miss Snelling beat Miss Walker. 6-2. 6-3. _ „ t , Girls’ Singles. Under ,16.—Semi-finals: Miss D. Wiilbond beat Miss V. Mathieson, 9-6: Miss A. McCarlie beat Miss I. Nankervis. 9-2. Final: Miss Willbond beat Miss McCariie. 6-2, 6-5.