LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 21 January 1901, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

Tho exhibition matches played at the Ed-en and Epsom lawns on Saturday afternoon drew a large attendance. The strong wind that prevailed interfered considerably with the play; nevertheless some brilliant tennis was seen In both thesingles and double game. The match between S. F. Diddams, of Victoria, and H. A. Parker, the local champion, ended in the latter"s favour by 3 sets to 1, after a keen struggle. Parker won the first set, 9—7, Diddams the second, 6—2, while the,, third and fourth fell to the Aucklander, 6—2, 11—9. In the doubles Diddams and McKean, the Victorians, played Parker and Peacock, the New Zealand champions. The first set was, perhaps, the longest ever played in first-class tennis in Auckland, so evenly matched wave the opposing pairs. The first six games each went with the service, making the score three all. In the next game Peacock served three double faults, and the Victorians won, 4—3. After this the score went 5—3, 5—4, 5 all, 6-5, 6 all, and so on up to 14 all, the game going with the service each time. Then the Victorians secured two games in succession, and so won the set, 16—14. The second set also fell to Diddams and McKean by 6 games to 3 the Victorians thus winning the match. Diddams played brilliantly and was ably supported by McKean, while the closeness of the scores indicate well the determined struggle made by the local pair.

The West End Lawn Tennis Club's committee met at Mr C.H. Jones' residence on Friday nig-ht. The following: events were decided upon for the annual touraaraent:— Ladies' Championship Singles, for prizes presented by Mr A. Kohn; Men's Championship Singles, for prizes presented ly the president, Mr C. J. Parr; Ladies' Handicap Singles, for prizes presented by Mr A. Goldie; Men's Handicap Singles, for prize presented by Mr Arthur Littler; Handicap Combineds, for prize presented by Dr. Hood. In the latter event the pairing will be done by ballot, and the matches played off on the afternoon of the 29th. At the request of several members the committee decided to set aside Thursday afternoon in each week after 5 p.m. for the gentlemen players only. It was decided that the penalty for breaking by-law IB will in the future be strictly enforced. In view of improving the "volleying" powers of the citib's members, a "volley" board is to be purchased and put up in the club ground. Prom experience in other cities these boards have proved very successful. Volleying is a weak spot with most Auckland clubs, and the others should follow the good example set by the western club. The team selected to play Parnell in the first round of the inter-clubs next Saturday is practising steadily, and will give a good account of

itself.