LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

(By FOOTFAULT.) FIXTURES. April 2, 3, s.—Te Aroha and Rotorua. Open Tournaments. April 3, 6.— Inter-Varsity Championship Tournament at Remuera Lawns. Tbe final of the Dunlop Shield, the last of the inter-club competitions, was played on the Remuera lawns'on Saturday, under glorious weather conditions. This shield was given by the Dunlop Rubber Co., oi Australasia, some three years ng.,, for competition among tbe local clubs. Each club is represented by two men, and the contest is decided by playing two singles and a double, tbe winners to hold the shield for one year. On Saturday the Remuera team*-were successful in winning the shield for the third year in succession, it is the usual custom to start with the singles, but on Saturday it was agreed to play the double first, owing to Snelling's aim being still troublesome. Although at times it appeared to give him great pain, be played on and eventually played his single against Duthie.

The double, which ran into four sets, was a good exhibition, and the spectators were kept interested right up till the last stroke. In the first set the Auckland players seemed unable to make much headway, the light probably accounting for this. The Remuera lawns do not lie direct north and south, and at this time of the season tbe sun is very troublesome. The second set was a great fight. Snelling started by taking the first game, but tbe Remuera pair annexed the following three games. Snelling once again won his service, but Duthie won his also, making the score 4—2 in Remuera's favour. The Aucklanders now put in a great run, and took the lead at s— i. Duthie's serve again brought his side the game, and Milnes, losing his, Remuera again had the lead 6—5. The next two games went to Auckland with tbe loss of but two aces. Once again Duthie brought the scores level by winning his serve. The fifteenth and sixteenth games went to tho Remuera pair after many exciting rallies, and thus ended a great set in favour of Remuera, 9—7. ln the third set the Aucklanders appeared beaten with 4 —2 against them, but by good combination and heady play they took the next four games, thus winning tbe set (i—4. The fourth set, although won by Remuera o— 2; was full of interest. Taking the players individually, Duthie was in great form with his serve, only on one occasion losing it. His forehand drives, when they did go in, were almost untakable, but be goes for an outright score far too often. His low volleying -was at times splendid, and it is in these shots that his opponents find out what a terrific reach he has. His partner, Andreae, played splendidly, and time and again delighted the spectators by his centre-of-the-court-driving and across-the-court-smnshing. These two players do not appear to have a definite understanding about lobs. The anan up at the net should always be prepared to run back for lobs, as the server has to get into the net as quickly as his legs will carry him, and once under way has very little chance of stopping. It was probably thi9 want of understanding that accounted for Duthie not coming in far enough on his serve. Time and again he found the ball dropping at his feet, and had to play the ball tip into the air, thus giving' the man at tbe net nn easy chance to score. In this respect Milnes is also a great offender. This plaj-cr'was driving well on the forehand, and scored many points with well-placed low ones. •Snelling, like Duthie, was very deadly with bis serve. Andreae found the high, bouncing screw service very awkward, and was quite content to lob it. ' In spite of bis bad arm, the Aucklander played a plucky game. He is rather inclined to guard his weak forehand, which consequently brings him too much to the centre of the court, thus leaving a big opening for cross-court shots, which, by the way, Andreae took fijll advantage of.

In bis single against Snelling, Duthie was disappointing at the start. This was no doubt caused by some strings of bis racket breaking, which necessitated his having to play with another one. He appeared to lack confidence, being quite content to stop on the back Ijne and leave volleying alone. With his reach and volleying powers one would expect him to be at the net on every available opportunity. The sets went o— i, o—3, o—o in Duthie's favour.

■Milnes found Andreae a very solid proposition. The first set was well fought out, no less than five of the eight games running to deuce. In the second, Milnes took the first three, but Andreae replied with four. Then followed a great battle, Andreae eventually winning the set, 7—5. In the third set tbe Remuera player always had the upper band, winning o—l.

Owing to the remaining matches in the inter-club competitions, which were set down for last Saturday, having no bearing on the result, the various clubs mutually agreed to abandon them.

Excellent entries were received for the secondary schools' championships, the first rounds of which were played on the Eden and Epsom lawns on Saturday. The arrangements were ln the bands of Messrs. F. J. Ohlson, L. Sheppard, and A. L. Martin, and good progress was made with the various events. It was originally intended to complete the tournament on Saturday next, but owing to tbe large entries in the girls' events, this does not appear possible. Great disappointment has been expressed at the inability of the Taranaki Association to get their team together for any other time but Easter. The Auckland Association suggested March 17th, 20th, or 27th, but none of these dates were suitable to the Taranakites. Easter, unfortunately, was unstvitable for several Aueklanders, so the fixture had to be abandoned. It is to be hoped that next season the fixing of ihe date for this important event win not bo left until the end of the season. What is there against fixing a aefinite date every year, say the third Saturday in February, then everyone will know and arrangements will be made accordingly. While on this subject, 1 would once again like to ask if it is not possible to have another try to get the Provincial Association of the North Island to hold a Provincial teams championships. Some three or four years ago, I suggested a scheme, and. it was arranged by dele-, gates from each of the associations that Auckland was to have the first tournament. At the last moment, Wellington and Hawke's Bay found it Impossible to get away their team, and the only two left in were Taranaki and Anckland. In conversation with Mr. Ross, a member of the Wellington Association, who has been spending a few days in Auckland, I gather that tho present members of his association would in all probability bo very keen on the and be bos promised to bring the subject up nt tbe next meeting of the association. The scheme 'briefly is this: Any association may enter a team of four men and four juries.- JQfcs i»tdws : nJ*x*A •Jwnusa-few

men's and four ladies' singles, two men's and two ladies' doubles, and four combined doubles. Each team shall play every other team, and the team winning the tournament to be the one which •wins the greatest number of team v. team contests. Under this scheme each player would get an equal number of matches, and the tournament might last for three or more days. 1 am sure it only needs the first one to be a success and the fixture would always be held.

Entry forms for the Te Aroha and Rotorua Tournaments are now in the hands of the club secretaries. Both tournaments should be a success, as so many tennis enthusiasts visit these resorts nt Easter time. I hear that the Te Aroha club are endeavouring to obtain the use of the bowling greens for their tournament. In tho event of their efforts being successful, no one should have any complaint to make regarding the lawns.

At tbe quarterly meeting of the New Zealand. Lawn Tennis Association, at Wellington, a lengthy discussion took place in respect to the make of balls to be used at championship meetings next season. The chairman remarked that there had been some individual complaints in respect to the class of ball used, and tbe committee, after consideration, had decided to recommend Slazenger's make of ball. A suggestion had been made that the name Slazenger was German, but inquiries had been made, and it had been found that tbe firm was a thoroughly British one, and it 9 head is a member of the London County Council. It was pointed out, that some years ago the Slazenger ball was dispensed with, as it was not found suitable for tbe work required of it, but it was -understood that it now ful filled requirements. Mr. Henderson (Wellington) moved that the action of the committee be approved. Mr. Keesing (Auckland) said he did not see any reason why the ball that was used at present should be thrown out, and he moved as an amendment, "That AyTe's tialls be used at championship meetings for 1015-0." The amendment was enrried by 33 votes to 10, and also a motion by Mr. Iveane, Wellington. "That tho matter of tho adoption or approving of one or more makes of ball for the New Zealand Championship Meetings be referred to the affiliated associations each year for their opinion, and the matter be decided at a subsequent meeting of the Council."