TENNIS STARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 13

TENNIS STARTS.

SIX CLUBS OPENED.

GOOD FORM SHOWN.

Six Auckland tennis clubs opened their 1928-20 season on Saturday afternoon. Although it was hardly a day which suggested flannels and racquets, there was a good mupter. cm th&r courts, and the general standard of form shown was surprisingly good for the beginning of the season. UNIVERSITY. Perhaps the best tennis was seen at the University Clnb's opening, where a "Yankee Tournament" was played, the winners being Miss N. Graham and P. Griffiths. Mr. R. B. Hardy, captain of tbe clnb, presided at the opening ceremony, and the president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. Hickson, after a short speech, in which he wished the clnb every success during the season, drove the first ball.

Many players who belong to chip and asphalt courts have been keeping in form all through the winter, with the result that they were playing with accuracy In the opening games. At the University courts there was an occasional flash of brilliance, and there was often spectacular tennis. METHODIST CLUBS. The courts of the Papatoetoe, Manurewa, and Papakura Methodist Clubs were crowded all afternoon, and many good games were played. Judging by the form shown, the inter-club contests this year should be a long way better than those of previous years, and It is expected that there will be even bigger entries In the competitions. BIRKENHEAD AND NOBTHCOTE. The Birkenhead and Northcote Lawn Tennis Club opened its season at Northcote. Mr. A. E. Greenslade, the Mayor, apologised for the absence of the president, Mr. L. S. Maxwell, who is away from the district. Mr. W, Garrett, president Of the Birkdaie Club, and other visitors were welcomed. Mr. Greenslade said the club had done excellent work since it had established ten chip courts on the present site on Little Shoal Bay Beserve. Improvements were contemplated during the season. The club wanted to enrol 100 more members. Mr. A. Harris, M.P., congratulated the club on Its position. Miss Newman served the first ball across the net and the Mayor declared the season open. The Zion Hill Tennis Club also held an official ceremony on the occasion of the opening of its courts at Birkenhead on Saturday afternoon. 1 ST. JOHN'S METHODIST.

The newly-formed St. John's Methodist Tennis Club opened its season at the Severn Court, Ponsonby Boad, on Saturday afternoon. There was a good attendance of members and their friends.

The Bev. A. Mitchell played the first ball, and in a few appropriate remarks declared the court open. He hoped the formation of the club would meet a long felt want among the younger people of the church, and he wished it every prosperity. He believed there was scarcely any other sport or game which gave a greater opportunity for the display of those finer qualities than tennis. After all the spirit of the game was the thing, and it was not winning or losing that mattered. Afternoon tea was provided by the lady members.