LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 29, 3 February 1913, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP. McCUTCHEON BEATS KEITH. MISS GRAY LADY CHAMPION. The provincial tennis championships tournament, which was not completed last Wednesday, was finished on the Eden and Epsom courts on Saturday. Conditions for play were not so good as on the two previous days, and it was fortunate that the committee had decided to play the finals on the more sheltered Eden and Epsom lawns Instead of on the Remnera Club's ( courts. The final games of the men's singles naturally attracted the greatest attention. Despite their unfinished game of 14 all last Wednesday, Keith had not much difilcnlty Id disposing of W. A. Brown in the semifinals. McCutchcon had a harder task in opposing Duthie. He was, however, in splendid form, and, judging by 'his opponents- play In both matches, his style seems to put them off their game. Neither of them seemed to be playing up to standard against him. although doubtless that ts the beat characteristic of his play, which has not been seen to better advantage here. Duthie seemed to get his weak point in the third set—the only set he won—by bringing him up near the net with short ones and then passing him down the line. However, he did not persist in this kind of play, and, besides, he wants a few more years' experience before striking true championship form. Against Keith, McCutcheon seemed unable to do anything wrong, and for all the ei-champlon's wily generalship won In three straight sets. In the Ladles' Singles Miss Gray secured an easy victory over Miss Steele, being steadier on the base line, besides having the advantage ot a good drive and a knowledge of overhead work over her opponent. With Miss Gorrie, she also won the Ladies' Doubles from Misses Cummlng and Bloomfleld.

TTie final of the men's doubles was one of the hardest matches played throughout the tonrmrment. W. -A. Brown and Robson, after defeating A. Brown and Campbell in the «emi-flnals. met Abbott and MeCutcheon in the final. The former won the first two sets in easy style, bnt received a check in the third," when their opponents improved their game considerably. The fourth set was a battle royal, reaching »even all. Brown and Robson took the next two games and the match. The winners generally showed the best combination. Following are the details of the scores: — MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. Semi-Final. McCutcheon beat Dnthie, 6—l, 6—o, 4—6, 6—4Keith beat W. A. Brown, 6—2, 6—2, G—3. Final. McCutcheon beat Keith, 6—2, 6—3, 6—4. LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. Finals. Miss Gray beat Miss Steele, 6—4, 6—2. LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Finals. Misses Gray and Gorrie beat Misses Gumming and Bloomfield, 6—2, 6 —4. COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIPS. Semi-finals. Duthie and mi« Gorrie beat Snelling and Mise Woodroffe, 6—l, 6-^. TJhe finals "were postponed owing to the absence in the Soutti of one at the players. MEN'S CSAMPTOKSHIP I>OUBLES. Semi-finals. W. Brown ami RobsoD-beat A. Bro>wD-and' Campbell, 7—9, 6—4, 6—l, 6—3. Finals. Brown arod Robson beat Abbott and McCrti'h'"!. " -1.6 2. 3—6, 9— ~■