LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 December 1923, Page 21

LAWN TENNIS.

(By HALF-VOLLEY.) CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTUT.ES. Auckland—January 26. 2R, 20, 1024. Hawke's Bay—January 20. 30. 31. 1924. Marlborough—December 2.", 26, 27, 1923. Otago—Easter Holidays. 1924. Southland—December 2.1. 20. 27, 1023. Taranaki—January S, 9. 10, 11. 1924. Walkato—Easter Holidays, 1924. "Wellington—January 16. 17, 18. 19, 1024. West Coast—January 16. 17. 18, 1924. N.Z. Championships, nt Christchurch— December 26. 27. _S. 29. SI. 192:!. North Otago," at Oamaru—December 25, 2C, 27. 1923. Rotorua Open, at Rotorua —December 23, .6. 27, 1923. South Canterbury, at Timaru —December 31, January 1 ami 2. The inter-club matches under tlie auspices of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association were continued last Saturday at the Stanley Street courts. The weather was perfect and the courts in splendid condition. Players found them exceptionally fast, and at first had some difficulty in controlling their 6hots. In the A grade ladies" match between Remuera and Parnell tlie powerful four from the former club proved altogether too strong for their opponents and won all matches. While the supremacy of the Remuera ladies is undoubted, the good feature from the point of view of Parnell was tlie good showing put up by some of their less experienced players against such formidable opponents. Miss Macfarlane accounted for Miss Witherow in straight sets. The Remuera player was never really in danger, her hard hitting accuracy being too much for heiress experienced opponent. Miss Witherow, however, tried all the way, and showed herself to be the possessor of some fine strokes. Mrs. Ricter could only get four games from Mrs. ScottWatson, who was driving very steadily. Miss Colebrook, who showed promise towards the end of last season, added to her reputation by scoring the only set for Parnell. This she took from Miss Payton. The Remuera lady, however, made no mistake in the deciding one. and ran out "at o—2 by steady all-round play. Miss MacCormick defeated Miss ! Franklin in straight sets. The latter played well, but needs experience. Her shots could do with a little more pace, and in serving she should stand nearer the centre. Serving from the side, as she docs at present, tho whole of her court is exposed for a side line drive by her opponent. In the doubles Mrs. Bictcr and Miss Witherow did well against Mrs. ~ScottWatson and Miss Macfarlane. The Parnell pair actually led 3—o in the first set and 2—o in the second. Both Remuera players volleyed well. Miss Payton and Miss MacCormick were not seriously threatened by Misses Colebrook and Franklin. In the Eden and Epsom-Onehunga match one of the best matches of the day was seen when Miss Knight opposed Mrs. Hogben. Both ladies drove and volleyed well, and though the Eden and Epsom player ran out 6—2, 6—2. the rallies were lonp and well contested, the games being much closer than tho scores indicate. Miss Ramsay beat Miss Brookes in straight gets. The Eden and Epsom 'player was steadier and held slightly the upper hand all through. Tlie remaining two singles were drawn. In the doubles, Misses Knight and Ramsay

only just got in in front of Mrs. Hogbcn and Misß Brookes. The Onehunga pair played well, and with a little luck might have captured a set.

Tom Clark is known to most tennis enthusiasts in Auckland and other parts 4 of the Dominion, v Equipped with / unboundin gC« energy and en- { durance lie has accounted for many younger and good players in the past. This year he is playing better than ever, and on present form he is certainly amongst the first half dozen of our Auckland nlavers.

Both Patterson and O'Hara Wood struck fine form in the inter-state match between Victoria and New South Wales. "Austral," of tho Sydney "Referee," makes the following comments on their play: "The sparkling tennis of the day was provided by P. O'Hara Wood, who played an almost perfect game on the centre court against Norman Peach. The wet courts and heavy balls and frequent mis-bounds that ruined Peach's game never troubled O'Hara Wood at all. His tennis was absolutely delightful to watch. Many times he answered some of Peach's most severe forehand drives by perfectly executed slow drop returns that landed the ball right out of Peach's reach. His smashing was simply perfect, as were his delicately placed half-volleys. His command of every stroke on the court, the flexibility of his play, and his knowledge of the right stroke to use were too much for Peach, although the latter never really gat going. O'Hara Wood won eight games running after I—21 —2 in the first set, to a total of 12 points scored by Peach. The score was 6—2, C—2. "Kahns against Patterson was greatly hampered by the slithery court, and fell heavily several times. Patterson was in tremendous form with bis services, scoring many clear aces, but Kahns got some of the most severe back. When the score was 3—2, after 3—l in Patterson's favour, the rain came down so heavily that further play was not possible, and it could not be resumed." Entries will close on the 13th of this month for the New Zealand championships, which are to be held on the United Club's courts at Christchurch on December 26, 27, 28, 29. and 31. There will also be the junior singles championship for boys and girls, These two events are open only to boys and girls under 18 years of age at the date of application and who are bona fide pupils attending any primary or secondary school, college, university, commercial school, or other recognised educational institution, either as day or evening pupils, or as members of any affiliated tennis club in New Zealand.