LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS.

MATCHES AT STANLEY STREET AUCKLAND DEFEATS WAIKATO. IXTER-CLTJB MATCHES CONCLUDING. (By HALF-VOLLEY.) Perfect tennis weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon for the AucklandWaikato match, which drew a small gallery of spectators to Stanley Street. Owing to several last-minute defections the Waikato team actually fielded was considerably weakened, and any spectators who had attended on the assumption that Dr. Laurenson and Miss X. Beverley were to be included in the Waikato team' have u real grievance against the Waikato management. These two players appeared in the team published as selected by the Waikato Association, and the strongest available Auckland team was selected, no doubt on the distinct understanding that the Waikato Association would play the team previously advertised. As things turned out a weaker Auckland team could ] have provided just as interesting tennis, | and one or two juniors could have been included in Auckland's side without doing | the visitors any injustice. Sims in Form. All this is not to say that the afternoon provided no good tennis, quite the contrary, for the two matches in which A. W. Sims appeared were well worth coming to Stanley Street to see, apart from any others. Though defeated by N. G. Sturt in the first men's singles, Sims forced the match to three seta, and delighted the gallery with his graceful and perfectlycontrolled driving. His forehand driving was a little inaccurate, but his backhand showed all its old grace and ease, particularly the sliced angled cross-court, which faded away, making it very difficult to reach. Sturt played with aggression, and his volleying, particularly on the backhand, was brilliant, some shots in the last set being "punched" with great speed. His backhand cross-court passing shot, when Sims approached the net, was also excellently produced. In the doubles, partnered by M. T. Wilson, Sturt did not show to much advantage, being perhaps the weakest of the four. Sims was ably supported by Cavaye, whose slashing service and smash and severe forehand drives made many openings. Wilson was sound, and was particularly consistent in the return of service, but Sturt appeared tired. Waikato Ladies Weak. The other men's matches were all won by Auckland, with the exception of the fifth and sixth singles, in which S. Lamb lost to Jenkinson, and A. K. Turner lost to Brown. Morrison was too consistent for G. Brougli, who failed to get a game in the first set, and lost the second 6—4. Pat Wilson, who seems just as keen as at the beginning of the season, allowed Howard only two'games in two sets. Bowlands was too accurate for Cavaye, winning in straight sets. Against Lamb Jenkinson played attractively at the net, hitting his overhead with great power. Turner appeared tired against Brown, who played with per-, sistence, exploiting a flat forehand drive with some success. ■> The Auckland ladies were definitely a class above the Waikato representatives, and if the selectors here had beer, apprised of the standard of the visiting team, no doubt they would have selected a different local combination. The visiting ladies did not win a set. Remuera Wins Second Grade. The second stage of the final of the second grade competition was played cn hard courts at Windmill Road on Saturday last. The first stage of this match, played at Stanley Street on the previous Saturday, had givn Remuera a lead by

' seven matches to three. Of the eight matches played last Saturday Renin era won three and Hallyburton Johnstone five. This left Remuera in an impregnable position, leading by ten matches to eight, with five sets in hand. Remuera, therefore, wins the second grade pennant in addition to the first grade, which was awarded to this club after its win over Eden and Epsom a few weeks ago. Junior Grade Results. On the Stanley Street courts St. Helier's met Unity last Saturday in the first stage of the third grade final, and a very close and keenly contested match resulted. At the conclusion of the day's play St. Helier's led by six matches to four, but in the second half of the match, to be played next Saturday at Windmill Road, conditions should be much more favourable to Unity, and many critics will support the latter club's chances of a win. In the D grade Eden and Epsom has to play Vauxhall in the final—this match will be commenced at Stanley Street next Saturday, and the second half of it will later be played on hard courts at Windmill Road. The Season at the Clubs. The time now seems opportune to review the inter-club system as at present in operation, and to examine its effect on play at the clubs. In this connection correspondence from players or from club committees addressed to the writer, care the Sports Editor, "Star," will be gladly received and will be reviewed in this column if space is available. Reviewing the season's play meanwhile, it may be said with some confidence that the new system of play in the first grade, inaugurated this year, has not proved an unmixed success. • At Eden and Epsom and Remuera, particularly, club matches suffered severely, particularly in the earlier part of tbe season, through the first grade B team being absent from the club Saturday lifter Saturday. The fact that Eden and Epsom's second team won all its matches, finishing up with third place in the grade, immediately below Eden and Epsom seniors, tends to show that the senior clubs do not benefit by a "play-all competition in the first grade, and the question may well be asked whether too much has not been sacrificed this \eat at the altar of the inter-club competition. The new system has deprived many players of several Saturdays' pleasant club tennis, and has set back club matches 111 all the senior clubs, and it is hoped by the writer at least that some modification j will be made in the system next season. Communications from clubs and players as to their views on this matter will be welcomed.