Tennis in Tauranga Again Marred By Adverse Weather Conditions

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 15135, 18 November 1949, Page 5

Tennis in Tauranga Again Marred By Adverse Weather Conditions

[ By " Forehand'") Once again toiini:; enthusiasts played under conditions far L'roiu the besi at the Tauranga Lawn Tennis Club's courts last Saturday. Heavy rain during the week kept- the courts sloav and the day was overcast and windy. Players are waiting for a good, clear day with a faster playing iiirface to get' full enjoyment cut of the gain".

The organisation of games during, a Saturday at any club presents tlie problem of ensuring that each nfeniber gets his fair vare of play on the courts, among players of approximately his own calibre.

The committee, with the welltested system of discs for each individual, has undertaken the task of organising the fours that play together and on Saturdays, one member is on full-tims duty. Ths result is most satisfactory for all members who in turn have a mixed four or a men's or women's doubles. Such attention to organisation is essential to engender the healthy club spirit that is so necessary but which is often lacking in tennis clubs.

Among the players, were members of the Opotiki A team who were to play an inter-club match on Sunday with the Tauranga team. Unfortunately, the weather prevented play and the visitors made their long trip home without meeting the Tauranga A players. This week the team is playing Rotorua at Tauranga and the junior team is travelling to Te Puke.

Ladder matches have commenced the club. The top position was hotly contested when N. Guinnesr. challenged J Nicholls. The latter won 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, after losing the first set to Guinness whose speed and length were excellent. Unfortunately he could not maintain this form and Nicholls carried the match with well-controlled strokes. Lower down the ladder W. Lou.Thnan defended the fiifteenth place successfully after a challenge from one of the juniors, B. Baxter. The latter is showing promise but could not match the experience of the older player who won 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

Women's day every Wednesday was well attended this week when it took -the form of an afternoon tournament for a trophy donated by Mrs Coldwell. Sixteen players tool-; part in games arranged by the club captain, the winner of the tournament being Mrs R. F. Newland. Others who took part, included Mesdames Johnson, Baxter, Davidson, Mcßride. Sandl-mt Persons, Wiiloughby, Boyce, Dickison, Montgomery. McCarthy, Park, Coldwell and Miss P. Newland.

At this stage of the season, few players are in full control of their service. The service requires perfect co-ordination and rhythm which come onlv with practice. Apart from speed, which results from a correct square position to the net and a pood follow through, the task of directing .the service is of ereat importance. The .general idea., with occasional variety is to direct the ssrve on to an onponent's weakness usually his backhand forcing him to defend with his return rather than attack. If he waits there of course, the direction of the serve is varied away from him to make him stand further over.

The pace of the serve should also be altered to keep an opponent guessing. Every player, of course, errs in serving a fast uncontrolled serve followed by a soft second which simply asks to 'be hit for a winner. The aim should be to serve two medium-paced, but wed placed serves of different varieties. A straight service can be changed next

time to a spin serve which moves away from the opponent who has shaped up for a forehand drive.