MARATHON MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 306, 28 December 1939, Page 8

MARATHON MATCH.

WOMEN'S DOUBLES.

Handicap Tennis Play—Closing Stages Reached.

Though there was a fairly strong wind blowing across the courts it did not interfere with play when the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's annual handicap tournament entered its final stages at the Stanley Street courts to-day. After the rain the courts were unaffected and the 'balls bounced true, good tenuis being produced in the semi-final and final matches contested. Play, however, did not commence until 10.30 o'clock this morning instead of the usual 8.30 morning start. Scheduled for to-day were semi-finals and finals in the A grade men's doubles and mixed doubles, and in the same grade, finals in the men's singles, women's singles and women's doubles. In the B grade the men's singles and doubles were set down for decision. Commencing at 11 o'clock this morning, and finishing at 1.40 o'clock this afternoon, the final of the ladies A doubles was a marathon, in which Miss L. Alumford (Eden and Epsom) and Miss J. Howard (Otahuhu) l>eat Miss L. Hewitt (St. Stephen's) and Miss R. Kemp (Parnell) 9 —7, B—lo,8 —10, 6—4. Miss Howard wa* strong on driving, so the match was generally, & baseline duel. Miss Mumford was prominent at the net and her partner supported her with backline play. Miss Hewitt showed up strongly on rlihing work and was ably supported by her partner. The match was keenly contested and might have resulted in a win for either side. The close came with a match point. Wilson proved too consistent in his judgment of length when he met A. S. Broun. There was solid play throughout. Broun was erratic, though he played some nice passing shots. IJesults were:— MEN'S DOUBLES. B SECTION. Final.—l. Baytey and R. Skacn (owe 30 1—0) beat C. E. Jordan uiml C. Weston (owe 13), 6—4, 3 —6. 6—4. MEN'S SINGLES. B SECTION. Filial. —I>. Kelly (plus 2—6) beat J. A. Byerley (plus 4—o). C—3. 6—4. MEN'S DOUBLES. A SECTION. Semi-finals.—J. C. Dowdy and T. Wilson (owe 4—U 13) beat I. Bayley and K. Skeen (owe 15) by default. WOMEN'S DOUBLES. A SECTION. Final.—Misses L. Mumford and J. Howard (scr) heat Misses L. Hewitt and B. Kemp (scr), 9—7, B—lo, 6—4. MEN'S SINGLES. A SECTION. Final.—M. T. Wilson (owe 40) beat A. S. Broun (owe 30), 6—2, 6—o.