SPORTING GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Issue LI, 3 February 1920, Page 7

SPORTING GOSSIP.

(By FOOTFAULT.) FIXTURES. February 7—lnter-Clnb Competition. February 12, 13, 14—Dnnlop Shield Contests. A ?Js£—Earter Tournaments at Te Aroha and Whangarel. AUCKLAND CHAJrPIONSHIPS. It wae most unfortunate that the rain came on Saturday and marred what promised to be one of the most eucceseful championship tournaments held under the auspices of the Anckland Lawn Tennis Association. The opening day, Thursday, January 29, was a beautiful day, and euch good progress was made with the earlier rounds that it soon became apparent that th c finals could be played on Satnrday afternoon. Although on Friday the easterly wind proved a bit troublesome at times, it did not affect the play to any gTeat extent. When the ram prevented play on Saturday, it was questionable whether the finals would be postponed till Saturday next, but the committee decided that owing to the inter-club competitions being fixed for that day it was advisable to play the finals yesterday, and in consequence a start was made at 10.30 a.m. with the semi-finals. The two Ladiee' Singles proved good matches. Mies Airey, who in the earlier round had defeated Miss -Marjory Marfarlane, found Mrs. Hodges in good form, and had to accept defeat without securing a set. The Onehunga lady, however, showed much promise, and considering she gets very little practice her form during the turnament was distinctly good.

LAWN TENNIS. i

FrXTDRES. February 7—-Inter-Clnb Competition. February 12, 13, H-Dunlop Bhield Contests. A PsJ— Earter Toumameata at Te Aroha and "hangarel. I AUCKLAND CHAirPIONSHIPS. It wae most Tinfortuuate that the rain came on Saturday and marred what pro raised to be one of the most eucceseful championship tournaments held under the auspices of the Anckland Lawn Tennis Association. The opening day, Thursday, January 29, was a beautiful day, and euch good progress was made with the earlier rounds that it soon became apparent that the finals could be played on Saturday afternoon. Although on Friday the easterly wind proved a bit troublesome at times, it did not affect the play to any gTeat extent. When the rain prevented play on Saturday, it was questionable whether the finals would be postponed till Saturday next, but the committee decided that owing to the inter-club competitions being fixed for that day it was advisable to play the finals yesterday, and in consequence a start was made at 10.30 a.m. with the semi-finals. The two Ladiee , Singles proved good matches. Mies Airey, who in the earlier round had defeated Miss Marjory Marfarlane, found Mrs. Hodges m good form, and had to accept defeat without securing a set. The Onehunga lady, however, showed much promise, and considering she gets very little practice her form during the turnament was distinctly good.

Miss M. P&yton and Miss Gorrie had a great fight, which was not surprising, as both these ladies have been plavin° good tennis all through the tournament. The first set went to Mice Payton, 6—3, but it wae only after twelve games had been played in the second set that Miss Payton secured a good match, 7 5, and the right to play her club-mate,' Mrs. Hodges, in the final. Mra. Hodges beat Mies Payton, 6—o, 6—l. This proved a good, clean game, more even than the scores would indicate, but Mrs. Hodges was too good on both forehand and backhand. Nevertheless Miss Payton stood up to her tack In the semi-final of the Men's Singles championship Dr. Laurenson succeeded in defeating the young Hamilton player, jSune, m two eets, with the loss of only jtwo games. From this it would appear that the Remuera player scored an easy win, but this was not by any means the case, as every game wae hotly contested. The rallies were long, especially in the second set, when no less than five of the seven games in the set went to deuce, lne Hamilton player is left-handed and can play almost any shot, being good in all departments. What he requires now Jβ good tournament experience. This should give him more confidence to take better advantage of .the openings he makes with his side-line drives. At present he is content to chop the weak return short instead of following in on the drive and finishing th e weak return with a volley. In the other semi-final Bartleet- beat Griffiths, 6-8, 6-4, S-β. A good game the driving being brilliant at times, with some nice interludes of vollevine The serving by both players was good throughout the match. At one stage m the second set Griffiths looked like winning m two straight seta, but his younger opponent stuck well to his -task and pulled up from to 4 all, an d ? 4 " Bartle *t was good all round, Ins forehand driving with plenty rXr»% beh ; nd * 6COrin S "any acea. G " ffi *!? e ' orolland TOS aIBO ver y good and hie backhand play was much and stronger than it used to be. FINAL LADIES' DOUBLES. Mrs. Mann and Miss Gorrie beat Mrs. Marshall and Miss Moginie 6—l 6—" A nice game to watch, the hitting being very clever, with some nice vollying by Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Marshall The losers appeared very nervous, and on this account frequently lost points they snould have gained. COMBINED DOUBLES. Miss Payton and Sims v. Mrs. Hodges and Laurenson. In the first set MissPayton and Sims were slow in starting, and Mrs. Hodges and Laurenson ran away, s—o. Sims and Miss Payton then took four games, Miss Payton volleying brilliantly and returning several of Laurenson's smashes. The set went to Mrs. Hodges and Laureneon, 6—4. In the next set a very even game resulted, Mrs. Hodges and Laurenson again winning, 6—4, after some nice clean driving and volleying, Miss Payton again pluckily standing up to and returning some smashes. Bbth the ladies in this match showed excellent form, Miss Payton especially doing her share, which was byno means small, with great credit. Laurenson was always clever, and his smashing and volleying across' the court drew forth much applause. Sims did not show such good form as in previous matches.

A good exhibition of the combined game ■eras also given in the match between Miss Gorrie and E. Bartleet (Eden and Epsom), and Miss M. Macfarlane and Robson (Remuera). The Bemuera pair were on the attack most of the time, and Miss Macfarlane's fine drives gave her partner the opportunities he was looking for to finish weak returns by deadly smashing. Robson at times was rather inclined to attempt to play a single, which was quite unnecessary, as his partner was equal to returning almost any shot that came her way. I noticed Bartlett on several occasions standing on the back line watching a driving competition between the two ladies instead of being at the net waiting for a weak return. FINAL MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Robson and Laurenson beat Griffiths and Sims, 3—6,7 —5, fl—o, 6 —o. Griffiths and Sims started well, and by nice tennis captured first set, 6—3. Laurenaon and Robson then warmed up and secured a good second set, 7 —5. From then on the winners did as they pleased, good serving and volleying by Robson, delicate volleys and clever angle shots by Laurenson, combined with brilliant smashing by both players completely demoralising their opponents, whose work overhead lacked lie finish of the winners. The form ehown throughout the torunament by the youngrer players was good indeed, and quite a number of surprises were recorded. Clive Johns opened up by defeating Robeon, after losing the first "eet. The Eden and Epsom player went out with the idea that he hadn't got a, chance, but he soon overcame Robson's cut strokes, and playing- very stead tennis indeed won the remaining two seta rather comfortably. In the second round he defeated his club mate. A. 6. C Brown, after another three-eei: jWfcferV jfex'Fffiiiflr[ntiiitfi f i w i°r° ,t ' > * :imt \

the committee found It neeeasary to bci&tx-'h Johns on Friday owin , * to his ineibilffcy to secure leave, but they had no option, ac the matches were being held up. •Another young player to show much improved form wae divt. Hull (Remuera,). It was in the doubles with D. Macfcay that he struck form, and it took a good p"Siir in Sims and Griffiths to put them out. Hull has a g-ood service, and with plenty of practice with better players should soon develop into a good player. The lady prayers of Auckland are, with the exception of Mrs. Hodgee, all very even, and I dou-b' whether any other town in New Zealand has snch a numb«r of good players as exist here at the present time. Mks Payton, Mrs. Marshall, Mies Airey, Miss Marjory Macfarlane. Miss Gorrie, .Miss N. MacCormiok, Mise Kerr-Taylor, and many others are all good exponents of the game, and it is always a question as to which one would win. With the standard* so high it will not be surprising- to see the Auckland ladies holding their own at future Xew Zealand championship meetings. FINALS (SINGLES AND COMBIN-ED). Owing to Dr. Laurenson being required as a witness at the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon, it wae found impossible to play the finals of the Men's Singles and Combined Doubles. These will probably be glayed a.t the Remuera Club's lawns on Saturday afternoon next. The management of the tournament could not have been Detter, and great praise is due to the officials in charge. Mr. K. Archer acted as secretary, and he had the able assistance of Messrs. F. Ohlson and A. Goldie; the former especially did splendid work.