New Caledonia
p. 34 · Read in the full issue
deserved three tennis medals
New Caledonia was clear! superior to all other teams in th tennis events at the Games, an
fully deserved its gold medals i
the men’s, women’s and mixe doubles events.
TTOWEVER, the tennis series pn ■“ vided many a closely fought coi test among the nine territories rei resented, and only three teams c the 23 taking part in the thre sections did not taste the sweets c success at some time. The three ui successful ones were the New Hel ridean men, the French Polynesia women and the Western Samoa mixed team.
Teams from six different territorie —New Caledonia, Pap u a-N e i Guinea, Fiji, Nauru, Western Samo and French Polynesia—fought thei way to the finals in the three section: and the Gilbert and Ellice Island team did not miss by much.
The nine medals were finall divided among four territories. Afte New Caledonia, Fiji did best wit two silver; then came Papua-Ne\ Guinea with one silver and tw bronze, and French Polynesia wit; one bronze.
New Caledonia’s greatest strengt] lay with its youthful champior Wanaro N’Godrella, whose stron service, clever placements, tremend ous smashes and quick returns alway brought him out on top in the end although some lesser known player seriously extended him occasionally Although the official programnn described the tennis as “lawn tennis” it was, in fact, played on concreh courts.