CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19196, 30 December 1927, Page 8

CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS.

NEW ZEALAND TOURNEY. MISS SPKIRS WITHDRAWS FROM DOUBLES. MISS KNIGHT DEFEATS MRS ADAMS.

Glorious sunshine —a little too glorious perhaps—bathed the courts at Wilding Park'yesterday, when the New Zealand lawn tenuis championships were advanced into the semi-final and final rounds, an<l players and spectators alike sweltered in the heat. The tennis generally was of a high standard, in spite of the conditions under which it was played, and there were several grim and exciting j contests. The sensation of the day was the sudden collapse of Mrs K. P. Adams (Wellington), who won the women's singles championship last year, hi the third set of her match against Miss B. Knight (Auckland), and the dramatic withdrawal of Miss-M. Speirs, Canterbury champion, when playing in final round of the women's doubles, with Miss E. Partridge (Canterbury), against the Wellington pair, Mrs E. P. Adams and Miss M. Tracy. ■ It was stated that Miss Speirs was unwell, as a result of her gruelling match against Miss M. Maefarlanc, first string for Auckland, in the top semi-final of the women s singles. The first set of the doubles had been won by Wellington, and play had just begun in the second set, when, persuaded by Mr W. Goss, a member of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, Miss Speirs decided to retire. Her. action Has aroused considerable controversy, and if she was indisposed, she should never have been asked to take the court, although, in fairness to Miss Speirs, it must be stated that she was quite prepared to finish the match. It is understood that Mr Goss will be asked to explain to the Management Committee of the New Zealand Association why he interfered during the progress of the match, as Miss Speirs raised no objections to playing the final match in the afternoon. In the men's doubles, a surprise was caused hv the defeat of A. L. and D. G. France (Wellington) by M. L. Lamp© 'and C. E. Malfroy (Wanganui and Wellington), in the fourth round. Another notable victory was the defeat of J. C. Peacock and N. K C. i Wilson, of Wellington, by J. T. Laur- ; euson and E. L. Bartleet. .. ; j The* boys' .singles event was won by i H. A. Barnett (Canterbury, and the , girls' singles by Miss N. M. Fleming (Otago). ■■. 'j .-, •Another controversial incident hap- j pened early yesterday afternoon, when J. T. Laurenson arrived one hour late for his match with E. L. --Bartleet. ! Speaking to a representative of The Pres9, Mr Murray Kean said that the management of the New Zealand Association was very disappointed at Laurenson's dilatoriness, especially after he had arranged the time at which the match was to be played himself. It is believed that, further action will be taken by the Association. There was a large attendance of spectators, and the gate, takings to date are over £'3oo. The courts are fast and true, and are" holding; wonderfully well. The final of the men's siucdeswill he played to-day-between G. Ollivier and E. L. Bartleet. Miss Speir3 and MissKnight will contest the final of the women's singles, and N. G. Sturt and L. G. Knott will play E. L. Bartleet and J. T. Laurenson in the final round of the men's doubles. The combined doubles and the Plate also .will be completed. The Mores were:— MEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of five advantage sets. Present champion: ,E. D. Andrews (Wellington). Semi-final. G. Ollivier (0.) beat N. G. Sturt (A.), 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. E. L. Bartleet (A.) beat J: T. Laurenson (Waikato), 6-2, 8-6, 4-1 (retired). LADIES' SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of three advantage sots. Present champion: Miss A. Howe (Mrs Adams), Wellington. Semi-final, Mi3S M. Speirs (C.) beat. Miss M. Macfarlane (A.), 6-3, 11-13, 7-5. Miss B. Knight (A.) beat Mrs R. P. Adams (TV.),. 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. MEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of Ave advantage' sets. Present champions: L. G. Knott and X. G. Stmt (Auckland). Third Round. M. L. Lainpe and O. E. Malfroy (W.) beat W. Pearse (S.C.) and W. J. Melody (W.), I 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-0. I Semi-final. E. Bartleet (A.) and J. 'P. Laurenson (Waikato) beat T. Peacock and N; R. Wilson (W,), 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 6-2. G. Knott and N. G. Sturt (A.) boat M. Ij. Lampe and C. E. Malfroy (W.), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. LADIES' DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of threo advantage sets. Present champions: Misses N. Lloyd and J. Watson , (N.S.W.). Final. Mrs R. P. Adams and Miss M. Tracy (W.) beat Miss M. Speirs and E. Partridge (C), 6-4. 2-1 (retired). MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of-three advantage sets. Present champions: Miss M. Speirs (C.) and D. G. France (W.). First Round. Miss M. Andrew and I. Seay (C.) beat Miss R. Dallas and W. Hay (W.), '6-2, 6-1. Miss M. Mvers and M. L. Lampe (W.) ; beat Miss E. M. Wake and K. J. Walker (C), 6-4, 4-6, S-6. Second Round. Miss Androw and Seay beat Mrs Melody and W. J. Melody, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Miss Tracy and Wilson beat Miss Ramsay and Pearse, 6-1, 6-3. Miss Knight and Knott beat Mrs Pnlchett and Field by default. Mrs Adams and France beat Miss Ward and Angus, 6-1, 6-1. • Miss Macfarlane and Sturt beat MiS3 Johnston and Browning, 6-4, 7-5. . Miss Myers and Lampe beat Miss Partridge and Patterson, 12-10, 6-2. BOYS' SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of three sets. Third only advantage. Present champion: C. E. Malfroy (Wellington). Semi-final. R. Howe (C.) beat D. McCaskey (C), 6-1, H A." Barnett (C.) beat A. R. Cant (C), 6-1. 6-2. final. Barnett beat Howe, 5-0", 6-1, 6-4. GIRLS' SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of three sets. Third only advantage. Present champion: Delia Newton (Auckland). Semi-final. Miss N. Fleming (O.) beat Miss C. Longmore (W.). 6-1, 6-4. Miss B. Dini (C.) beat Miss E. Radkm (C), 5-6, 6-5, 7-5. Final. Miss Fleming beat Miss Dini, 6-3, 6-4. NEW ZEALAND PLATE. Third Round. Sheppard beat Robinson, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. . „ „ Bagge beat Prebble, 2-6, 3-6, 6-1, 7-o, 6-2. Hay beat Field, 6-4, 10-8 (Field retired). Pearse beat Moore by default. . .