DETERMINED DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26637, 6 December 1947, Page 8

DETERMINED DEFENCE

WILDING SHIELD TEAMS HUTT VALLEY AND WELLINGTON LEVEL P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. Because of some excellent tennis by O. M. Bold, whose greatly-improved forehand and service reflected the benefit of his tour overseas, Hutt Valley are putting up a determined defence of the Wilding Shield against the challenge of a strong Wellington side. At the conclusion of to-day’s play each side had won three rubbers, while the sets are also even. Results (Wellington names first):— Singles.—R. S. McKenzie beat E. A. Roussell 6—o, 6—3; S. Painter lost to O. M. Bold, I—6, 3—6; C. Arigas beat R. V. Robb 6—2, 5—7, 6—4; R. McFerkins lost to F. S. Ramson 4—6, 2—6. Doubles.—McKenzie and Painter beat Roussell and Ramson 7 —5, 6 —4; Angas and McFerkins lost to Bold and Robb 6—3. 7—9, 3—6. Main interest centred in the form of R. S. McKenzie and. Bold. The former practically wiped E. A. Roussell off the court, but made a surprisingly large number of errors, including double faults. Bold defeated Painter almost equally as clearly, but was far less prone to error than McKenzie. Speculation now centres round the extent of Bold’s improvement and whether it is sufficient to enable him to beat McKenzie. Should he do sp, Hutt Valley would be likely to retain the shield. Previously, however, McKenzie has had lapses, but has still proved himself a class above any opposition in this country. ■ His standard falls when the opposition is weak. If Bold can fully extend him it may prove beneficial to McKenzie and New Zealand tennis generally.