TENNIS TOURNEYS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 34, 10 February 1943, Page 5

TENNIS TOURNEYS

INCREASED ENTRIES GRADE FINALS THIS WEEK

At a meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association held last evening it was decided to hold the following tournaments to complete this season:—Veterans (date to be fixed) at Stanley Street courts; Easter hard-court tournament at Windmill Road courts, and a restricted secondary schools' meeting—representatives of the secondary schools to meet to discuss arrangements.

Owing to shortage ol tennis balls, it will not be possible to hold the full tournament for the schools, but it was felt that at least the senior events should be persevered with. Committees of control: —Veterans: Messrs. T. E. Hickson, A. C. Johns, J. S. Brown, A. Ohlson, and W. C. Morrin. Easter hard-court: Messrs. J. S. Broun, R. Dixon, S. G. Wright, I. Kerr, J. Fernandez, B. G. Armitage, A. C. Huckstep, with power to add. Information from the N.Z.L.T.A. indicated that there were no prospects of tennis balls being obtained from overseas, whilst a definite decision in regard' to balls being manufactured in New Zealand had not yet been made. The Christmas handicap tournament committee reported a successful fixture, a profit of £27 being made against £10 the previous year, whilst entries had increased from 153 in 1940 to 173 this time. Despite the reduced programme for the Auckland championships recently held at Stanley Street (only intermediates and juniors were catered for), entries had increased from 124 last January to 153 this year. A profit of £45 was shown, this being a reduction on the 1942 figure. Comment was made on the excellent sportsmanship shown at this fixture, and satisfaction was expressed at the result of both tournaments. Mr. H. C. Rowlands, having qualified under the rules, was granted an association blazer. Owing to interest falling off, it was decided not to continue with any further Junior coaching this season. , .. The finals of the second, third and fourth grades in the hard-court section of the inter-club competitions are to be played next Saturday at the Windmill Road courts, the fixtures being:— Second Grade. —Surrey v. West End. Third Grade—Surrey v. Ngatira. Fourth Grade.—Surrey v. Belmont Park. In the first grade. Unity had won this Pennant from Ngatira, whilst there is still one match to be played in one of the sections of the fifth grade. The final in this division was scheduled for February 20, when it is expected that Papatoetoe and Belmont Park will meet. Results of inter-club matches played last Saturday:~~ Grass Courts Open Grade—Heme Bay beat West: End. by default, and now meets Eden and Epsom in the final match to determine the holder of the Caro Cl Third Grade.—Eden and Epsom beat Heme Bay, 7 rubbers to nil. Hard Courts Third Grade.—New Lynn beat Surrey, 4 rubbers to 3: Mount Eden beat Waiata, 5 rubbers to 2. Fifth Grade.—Mount Eden beat Papatoetoe. 10 rubbers to 6; Fergusson Park beat Nicholson Park by default.