WILDING SHIELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26638, 8 December 1947, Page 6

WILDING SHIELD

HUTT VALLEY BEATEN WELLINGTON'S SUCCESSFUL BID P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. The holders of the Wilding Shield over the past two seasons, during which they successfully resisted six challenges, Hutt Valley, were convincingly beaten in the first challenge match of the present season, Wellington winning by eight rubbers to four. The holders failed to maintain their keen first-day resistance in defence of the trophy, winning only one further rubber. Rain interfered with play on Saturday and the match was completed to-day. Results (Wellington names first):— Singles: R. S. McKenzie beat O. M Bold 6—3, 6 —3; S. Painter beat E. A. Roussell 7—5, 2—6, 6—2; C. Angas beat F. S. Ramson 6—3, 4—6, 7—5; R. Ferkins beat R. V. Robb 6—4, 4—6, 6—4. Doubles: McKenzie and Painter beat Bold and Robb 6—3, 7—5; Angas and Ferkins lost to Roussell and Ramson 4—6, 4—6.. Wellington 8 rubbers (17 sets, 149 games), Hutt Valley 4 rubbers (12 sets, 134 §Bm6s). ' ■ Public interest was most 'apparent in the tussle in the Singles; between R. S. McKenzie and O. M. Bold. McKenzie dominated this as he dominated all the matches in which he took part. He won 6—3, 6—3, and in doing so he demonstrated that he is still in a class above his opposition in this country because of the all-round severity of his game. Competent judges consider his serving and smashing to be the equal of anything they have seen in this country since the first World War. McKenzie lost only one service game in the Wilding Shield series. He frequently aced his opponents. After his enterprising display against Painter the spectators were disappointed at see Bold adopt a defensive role throughout. He was mainly content to sit on the back line, thus allowing McKenzie to dictate the run of play. Bold has reached a highly proficient standard, but cannot expect,to succeed against stronger players unless he seeks to gain the net position and make greater use cf his volleying skill.