Southland too good for Otago in 1958 tennis championship.

Southland had a convincing win over Otago in 1958 at the Waihopa courts and it was the first win that Southland had over Otago since 1951, when a narrow win was scored in Dunedin and was the only second win Southland had had since the War.

Southland won by 19 rubbers, 40 sets, 300 games to five rubbers, 12 sets and 207 games.
The superiority of the local players was excellent throughout the day, and although Otago was without some of their top players, Southland were also short on some of their top players.
With perfect conditions the standard of play in most matches was excellent and the spectators were appreciative of the great tennis.
Mrs M. Rennie beat Mrs J. Hawkes in a hard fought game, where both players drove hard for the back line. Neither player attempted a net attack which was surprising after their excellent display in the combined doubles.
Kevin Corkery justified his top position for Southland displaying a great all round game over J. Gray.  The Otago player driving and volleying strongly established an early lead, but Corkery with a change of pace, and employing a heavily slicing backhand changed the tempo of the game and was untroubled to win 6-4 6-3.
The last game of the day was between D. Radford (Southland) and D. Brooks.  Both players were in top form and there was a feast of exciting rallies. Radford's ability to win with drop shots was the deciding factor and he won 12-10, 6-4.
Mrs J. Adams and Miss Beth McDonald and J. Robertson were other Southlands that were at the top of their form. 
RESULTS:
Southland names first;
MENS SINGLES
K. Corkery beat J. Gray 6-4,6-3
D. Radford beat D. Brooks 12-10,6-4
J. Robertson beat E. Kirkland 6-1,6-4
A.T. Skelt beat R. Morrison 6-4,2-6,6-4
C. Whitaker lost to G. Lawrence 5-7,2-6
S.P. Andrews beat R. Seacock 6-2,7-5

WOMENS SINGLES
Mrs J. Hawkes lost to Mrs M. Rennie 2-6,4-6
Mrs J. Adams beat Mrs D. Hay 6-0,6-4
Miss B. McDonald beat Mrs De Bazin 6-1,6-2
Miss M. Farmer beat Miss A. Rogers 6-3,7-5
Miss I. Morton beat Miss B. Stack 6-1,6-2
Miss J. Rabbitte lost to Miss M. Dunbar 4-6,7-5,7-5.

CLICK button text to read about Kevin Corkery's grandson that is carrying on the sporting tradition.

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