VICTORIA'S CERTAIN WIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 628, 3 April 1929, Page 10

VICTORIA'S CERTAIN WIN

UNIVERSITY TOURNAMENT AUCKLAND LEADS IN TENNIS (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Victoria College is assured of vie- 1 tory in the University inter-college ! tournament at Christchurch. Auck- I land could have won the shield had j they won every event in the tennis, but this faint hope was lost when C. E. Malfroy defeated A. C. Stedman in the ; men’s singles. With two more events to be played off, Auckland is leading in the 'Var- , sity tennis tournament by two points to one over Victoria. At the close of I play to-day the Northern college has a ! good chance retaining the' tennis I title, as it should win the combined i doubles, and will have a good chance ! in the women’s doubles, -which are the \ remaining events. Two titles which J go to Auckland are the women’s j singles and the men’s doubles, which I were won by Miss M. O. Miller and the Stedman brothers respectively. The rain of Saturday held back the tourney, which it was hoped to conclude to-day, so that two matches in both women’s and combined doubles have to be played to-morrow. C. E. Malfroy (Victoria) had one of l the sternest struggles of his career when he met A. C. Stedman (Auckland) on the centre;court at Wilding Park this afternoon. He won his match by 6 —l, 3—6, 6—4, after grand play. Each man started off by winning his own service and it was thought that the duel would be a stern one, but even the most sanguine Auckland supporter was downhearted when Malfroy, brilliant at the net and overhead, took the next five games in a row. It was thought ; that the all-stroke player would nave things all his own way with one whose repertoire was less varied.

Stedman gave the g&llery a thrill in the second set when he took the first game and went on from strength to strength, driving brilliantly, especially on forehand, and volleying willingly when necessary. He outgeneralled Malfroy completely and had him running all over the court, which is an unusual occurrence for the Wellington man. He took the set 6—3. The third and final set was just as exciting. The score went to two all and then Malfroy drew ahead, volleying finely and occasionally outdriving Stedman. Stedman set out chase him, but although he brought off magnificent shots at times, could only get to 6—4, giving Malfroy the victory in a memorable encounter. The two met again in the men’s doubles final, played late in the afternoon, when Malfroy and Goldie played the Stedman brothers. Wellington, busy at the net, took the first set easily with 6—l, but the Aucklanders woke up in the second set and, playing the Victoria men at their own overhead and volleying game, won the set 6 —3. The third set was played with the shadows lengthening across the court, but although all the players were tired after several matches, the pace was fast and furious, with all four making forays to the net. Auckland had much the better of the exchanges and won with 6 —3. Auckland’s other point came from the women’s singles, won by Miss M. O. Miller. Again she met Miss Ballantyne (Otago) in the final, and although down 7—5 in the set went on to win .the next two, 6—2, 6 —4. The Auckland girl was, as usual, imperturbable, and the model of accuracy at the net. The Otago player concentrated on driving, to her downfall. The Misses Miller (Auckland) meet Misses Carty and Dyer (Victoria) in the semi-final of the women’s doubles and the Miller girls should win, in which case they will meet the Otago pair, Misses Scott and Ballantyne, in the final, with a good chance of victory. The combined doubles was a surprise result to-day, when Malfroy and Miss Carty were beaten by Auckland’s second string, Miss Mueller and McDonald, B—6, 6 —o. The Auckland first string, Miss M. O. Miller and A. C. Stedman, should win this event. Detailed results are: Women's Singles.—Miss M. O. Miller (Auckland) beat Miss Scott (Otago), 9—6, 6—2, 6—2: Miss Ballantyne (Otago) beat Miss E. E. Miller (Auckland), 6—4, 6—o. In the final Miss M. O. Miller beat Miss Ballantyne, 7—5, 4—6. 6—4. Men’s Singles.—A. C. Stedman (Auckland) beat C. J. Ronaldson (Otago), 6—2, 6—l. In the final C. E. Malfroy (Victoria) beat A. C. Stedman, 6—l, 3—6, 6—4. Women’s Doubles.—Misses M. O. and E. E. Miller (Auckland) beat Misses M. Line and K. Zeisler (Victoria), 6—4, 5—6, C —l; Misses L. S. Ballantyne and O. E. Scott (Otago) beat Misses J. B. Mueller and M. Whitelaw (Auckland), 6—5, 4—6, 6—4. In the semi-finals Misses Scott and Ballantvne heat Misses Line and Zeisler. 6—4. 6—2. Men’s Doubles.—A. C. and J. E. Stedman (Auckland) heat C. B. Beatson and O. F. J. Dart (Canterbury), 6—l. 6—4; E. E. England and E. H. Adkins (Canterbury) beat R. A. Lucas and J. Stallworthy (Otago), 5—7. 6 —3, 6—3: C. E. Malfroy and G. N. T. Goldie (Victoria) heat E. E. England and E. H. Adkins, 6—4. 6—l. In the final A. C. and J. E. Stedman beat Malfroy and Goldie, I—6, 6—3, 6—3. Combined Doubles.—Miss Mueller and A. H. McDonald (Auckland) beat Miss Carty and C. E. Malfroy (Victoria), B—6, 6—4; Miss Jones and E. H. Adkins (Canterbury) beat Miss Ballantyne and R. A. Lucas (Otago), 6—2. 6—B, 6—2: Miss M. Line and Goldie (Victoria) beat Miss Scott and Stallworthy ( Otago), 7—5, 6—4: Miss Mueller and A. H. McDonald (Auckland) heat Miss Jones and E. H. Adkins (Canterbury). 6—4, 7—5.