LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1926, Page 25

LAWN TENNIS.

NOTES ON THE GAME.

At the Remuera Club last Saturday several matches of interest were played in semi-final and final rounds of the club contests. In the ladies' doubles championship, the final between Misses Payton and Ramsay and Mrs. Robson and Miss Colebrook resulted in a win for the former pair, 2—6", 7—5, 6 —l. The match provided some good rallies and sparkling volleying. Miss Payton played throughout with excellent judgment, and she was the best of the four. At one time the losers we-rc a set in and led n—2 iv the second set, but excellent tactics on the part of Misses Payton and Ramsay were responsible for the saving of this set at 7—5. Thereafter the winners quite outplayed their opponents. Miss Payton, besides being a winner in this event, is in two other ciub finals, the -championship and handicap singles. This player is again back in the form that obtained her a place in the last New Zealand team that visited Australia.

In the semi-final of tlip doubles, Griffiths and Brinsden succeeded in beating Macfarlane and Tonks, l> —3. 6 —3, 7—5. The losers played up pluckily against better players and some of the rallies were well sustained. Brinsden was in his best form, and his smashing and volleying were too sure for l'i.s opponents. Griffiths was sure with his work, and took advantage of any openings with alacrity.

In the championship singles semi-final he was somewhat easily beaten by E. L. Bartleet, G—2, 6—3, 6—3. In the other half of the draw. Brinsden disposed of Sturt in straight sets. 6—2, 6 —2, and will meet Robson in the semifinal.

The selection of the New Zealand team for the Australian tour should give every satisfaction, for, with the exception of Ollivier and Bartleet, the team, consisting of Andrews, D. G. France, Peacock, Seay, Smythe, Wilson and Wallace, with Mr. Murray Kean as manager, is fully representative of our Dominion talent. Tt is unfortunate that Bartleet is unable to make the trip, as he would add strength and 'brilliancy to the team. His matches against overseas players have always produced the best form this player has shown, and when he is going at top there are probably few in Australia who could be sure of a victory against him. Ollivier's omission did not come as a surprise to those closely connected with the game in the Dominion, and the New Zealand Association is to be congratulated on the view taken that it is useless to include a player, even though he be a champion, unless he can be relied upon in the various contests in which he must compete, and Ollivier's performances, both in Australia as a member of the last team and in New Zealand recently in the Wilding Shield, at Canterbury, show him to be a most inconsistent player. The team selected should be a happy family, and whether they are successful in upholding New Zealand's laurels on the courts or not, our reputation for good sporting tennis shoitld be safe in their hands. J. C. Peacock, who will captain the team, should be invaluable in that position, as well as being a useful playing member. With Wilson, of Wellington, he is holder of the doubles title, and no doubt this pair will play first doubles. Peacock has had the honour of captaining the New Zealand team which competed in the Davis Cup contest in 1024, and has several times been captain of teams visiting Australia.

During this week-end the Titirangi tournament will be played on the courts situated at the Maungakiekie golf links. Post entries will be accepted. Tt is expected that many of our local players will be competing, and an interesting tournament should result. The courts at this club are now in excellent condition, and, the trees having grown up, better protection is given aa regards wind and light.

The defeat of the American p'nyers, Tilden, Richards, and Hunter by Laeoste, Borotra, and Brugnon, in matches played on covered courts, shows how near the Frenchmen are to the world's champions. The indoor game, of course, cannot be compared with that on grass courts, and a lot of tennis is played on wooden surfaces on the Continent. No

doubt the victors were more accustomed to the circumstances than their opponents. Tilden's remark that on the day Borotra was unbeatable confirms the opinion of Patterson and Hawkes that there are times when lie plays with such tremendous pace and surety that no one can hold him, but throughout a tournament he- has his off days. With youth on their side, the Frenchmen will be prominent in the world's tennis for many years to come, and it will probably be from this source that the Davis Cup may be wrested from the holders.

The monthly meeting of delegates wa s held on Tuesday evening last, Mr. Griffiths presiding over a good attendance of members. Considerable discussion arose over the ladder rules, which provide tliat players must play their

Wa 7 +? P lnto P osi tions on the ladder and that junior players can only gain a place on the senior ladder through playing into front rank on the junior ladder, Mr. Turner eventually giving notice of motion giving provision for players to be ranked on the senior ladder by the committee. There is much to be said for the player not on the ladder who acquires form above that of other players already there, and yet the rights of players who have helped the association's activities and diligently climbed to a position on either the senior or junior ladders must be maintained. The selection of players for inter-club teams and (lie interchange from one grade to another wa s discussed at length and Mr. Thomson gave notice of motion to move at next meeting that the interclub rules be amended so as to compel clubs entering teams in more than one grade to declare their full teams at time of playing in the first contest of the season, and that any interchange of players must be notified to the interclub committee and their consent obtained. Several irregularities were quoted where players were moved from one grade to another at the wjll of the club selection committee. This is made possible by the matches in the different grades being played on alternate Saturdays. There is no doubt that stricter grading of players is necessary. A progress report was made by the chairman on the art union, which is being organised by the association, and it was decided to endeavour to get the help of members and all the affiliated clubs in the soiling of tickets. The venture is to benefit players and their help is wanted.

To-day, an Auckland representative team visited Hamilton to play a match against the Waikato Association. Included in the team are several players from the junior ladder. On the following Saturday, the Auckland Association intends sending a team to Ngatea to play a match against the Hauraki Plains.