LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 15

LAWN TENNIS.

RAIN STOPS MATCHES. ' I SURPRISES IN LADDER. NEW SCORING- SYSTEM FOR INTER-CLUB GAMES.

(By H A LF-V OLLE Y.)

Although most matches were commenced under doubtful conditions last Saturday, in most cases rain caused the cessation of play about 2.30 p.m. Even prior to the rain, the conditions at Stanley Street courts were decidedly poor. In the two A grade matches two singles only were played in each section. A. D. Brown accounted for \V. E. Butler easily enough at 6—2, 6—3, while on the next court M. 1. Wilson was not convincing in defeating K. o. Milne, 6—o, 6—4. In the other section A. K. Turner *vas down s—l against A. D. Cochrane, Campbell Park, when a shrewd change of tactics reaped a rich reward by winning eleven of the next twelve panics for the match, 6—5, !■ P- E. Potter beat G. Martin, also in straight sets. These contests will be resumed at a later date. Of twenty hard court matches set down for decision only seven were completed. Three of these were won by, West End, by comfortable margins:—In the second grade against Marist, in the third grade against Owairaka, and in the fourth grade against Belmont Park. Ngatira and Miliord No. 1 also had wins in the fourth grade, while Otahuhu and \ auxhall No. 2 were successful in the fifth grade. A new schedule showing the dates on which these and other postponed matches are to be played, has been drawn up by the association. When reviewing the second grade grass court section last week. I was in error in stating that Royal Oak had defeated Hemueia by 113 games to 107. In this connection the inter-club method of scoring has been altered this season,"with the result that where matches are even in a contest the contest counts as a draw, each team being awarded one point. A team winning a contest is awarded two points. It will be seen, therefore, that in the third section, should Renmera win their remaining two fixtures and Koyal Oak win its remaining fixture, the teams would be level with five points each. Under the new- rules, in &uch a ease sets would then be counted in the whole of the section matches played and a point awarded for each set won. In the event of both teams securing the same number of sets a draw would be declared and a further match to decide the winner would have to be played. The committees of the various clubs concerned should note this method of scoring as it may vitally affect some of their teams.

Although indifferent weather has held up play in several ladder matches, several further matches have been finalised., and two surprise results are recorded. A. Porter tßemuera), who recently defeated J. W. Gunn in three sets,* stored another good victory, this time at the expense of M. T. Wilson, who is not showing his form which brought him into the limelight during the last two years. His displays so far this year are unconvincing, and it is to be hoped that he strikes form before the coming championships. Porter is hitting hard and very steadily and did well indeed to beat the Eden and Epsom player in straight sets, o—4, 6—4. J. W. Gunn is another player who is far below form this season, and he will have to put in a lot of hard practice if he is to do himself justice this season. J. W. Mayson beat him 6 —l, 6—o, which score does not reflect the merits of the two players, well though Mayson is playing. Further down the ladder, W. E. Butler beat I'. E. Potter at <> —3, (3—4, to assume ninth position, while S. .T. Robinson was again forced to default owing to absence from town, this time to L. H. Watson. O. Satchell recorded another good win, this time over I. Wylds (Remuera) at 6—l, 7—5, and may w r ell move up a few places still. Wylds appears to have most of the strokes in the game and should get better results. One was not prepared for his defeat by Satchell in straight sets. Alan Broun improved his position by defeating -J. D. Bull 6 —4. 6 —l. J. Stevens and R. Smith (both of Eden and Epsom) met on Tuesday evening. Smith winning 6—3, 6—2. Matches to be played are: A. D. Brown v. A. Porter: M. T. Wilson v. J. T. Mayson; J. W. Gunn v. V. R. Johns; S. J. Robinson v. O. Satchell; I. Wylds v. A. S. Broun; A. R. Stubbing v. W. T. Pountney. At the present time the positions on the ladder are as follow:—A. D. Brown, A. Porter, M. T. Wilson, J. T. Mayson, J. W. Gunn, V. R. Johns. R. Smith, J. Stevens, W. E. Butler, P. E. Potter, S. E. Lamb, A. E. McKeown, L. H. Watson, S. J. Robinson, O. Satchell, I. Wylds, A. S. Broun, J. D. Bull, A. R. Stubbing. W. T. Pountney. Auckland Handicap Tournament. This tournament will commence on December 27 on the Remuera Club's courts in Market Road, Remuera. Entries will be divided into two groups, the first I comprising first and second grade players, I the second group, third and lower grade,' as well as Outer Suburban players. Entries close on Saturday next, December 18 (December 19 erroneously appears on the front page of the entry form) at 11 a.m. ' at the secretary's office, Shortland Street (P.O. Box 544, Auckland). A. D. Brown, the present Auckland champion, has been selected by the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association to accompany A. C. Stedman to Whangarei for the purpose of playing an exhibition match there ihia week end.