HOME BENEFITS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 103, 29 October 1945, Page 8

HOME BENEFITS

TENNIS EXHIBITION

The Marsden Tennis Clinic, a body of enthusiasts formed in Karori for the purpose of assisting in the development of the sport at Marsden College, was responsible for arranging a tennis exhibition at the college on Saturday afternoon in order to raise funds for St. Mary's Home. As a result of the exhibition, in which many of Wellington's leading players took part, a sum of nearly £100 will be handed to the Home for the purchase of tennis gear for the children. About 600 or 700 spectators watched the games, but it was considered regrettable that pupils from orily two secondary schools were present in large numbers, as one of the best and easiest ways of learning the fundamentals of tennis is by watching firstclass players in action. Some of the players were besieged by young children with autograph books. Members of the clinic who took an active part in organising the function- were Mr. T F. Varley, Mr. W. O. Pritchard, Mr. D. A. Syme, Misses Hampton, J. Ikin, M. Hodder, and J. Faloon. The member for the district (Mr. C. M. Bowden) and Mrs. Bowden were present. Among those taking part in the exhibition were:—Miss Nancy Fleming* Mrs. D. G. France, Mrs. M. Green, Mrs. J. McVay, Mrs. R. V. Robb, Miss M. J. Snelling, Owen Bold, Jack Charters, John Crossley. Neil Edwards, R. Ferkins, D. G. France, R. McKenzie, S. Painter, R. V. Robb, W. Smiler, and J. Taylor. Of particular interest were the singles between Robb and Painter and Edwards and McKenzie, leading players for Wellington and Hutt Valley in the Wilding Shield games to be held next Saturday. The form showed by all four players promises well for next weekend. Also outstanding was the mixed doubles match between McKenzie and Mrs. McVay and Robb and Mrs. Robb. These two teams will be competing in the New Zealand championships early in January. The women players generally showed excellent form in both singles and mixed events. The Wellington Nunneley Casket team, Mesdames Robb, McVay, and Green and Miss Fleming, all played well, and Mrs. France and Miss Snelling suffered little by comparison. Two Marsden children presented bouquets to each of the six women players, and to Miss Nunneley, 13 times New Zealand champion.