LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19814, 30 December 1929, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

PROVINCIAL TITLES. i

JANGAS AND MISS ANDREW i WIN SINGLES. ! ~~~ ; DOUBLES TO SOMERVILLE AND TAIT. ; F.nais :a = Canterbury Liwn Tennis ! Association's provincial championship and j handicap tournament were played on Saturday at Wilding Park, and in two out of the four completed senior title events, the results npget all the calculations of the critics. It was an eventful day's play, and tennis of a fairly high standard was enjoyed by a verylarge gallery. The new champions are: — Men's Singles —C. Angas (previous holder, C. Angas). Mens Doubles —W. S. Somerville and B. H. Tait (C. Angas and E. G. Boddy). Women's Singles—Miss il. Andrew (Misß M. Speirs). Women's Doubles—Misses M. Wake and 31. Andrew (Airs V. Pritchett and Miss 31. Speirs). Boy's Singles (under 18) A. A. MacGibt bon r: A. Barnett).

Qu.. -ingles (under 13) —Miss I. Morrison (Miss M. Sherris). The combined doubles was not completed on Saturday. The final of the men's singles championship was a little disappointing to those who had expected T. Rhodes-Williams to extend the holder, C. Angas, but it was, too, very gratifying to those who look to the comparatively young champion of the province to attain to the ranks of the select few at the head of the game in the Dominion. Angas showed that he is now at the top of his form, and is showing signs of improvement in his play. In fairness to Rhodes-Williams it must be stated that he has suffered throughout the tourney from a poisoned wound on his forehead. He has had to wear a bandage or to keep it protected with sticking-plaster, and on Saturday it is stated that it gave him some pain. Indeed, it is hard to account for his poor showing in the final of the doubles after his brilliant play on Friday by any other reason. After this match he practically collapsed, and had to be taken home. It was for this reason that the combined event was not concluded.

Rhodes-Williams has played better games than he did against Angas, but whether his slight lowering of form was due to his injury or to his opponent's bustling tactics, will not be known. Certainly Rhodes-Wil-liams himself would be the last to ascribe it to the former. Angas's win was thoroughly deserved, and his record in the tournament is a truly great, one. In five rounds he lost only 0 games (5 of them in the final), and no sets. He displayed remarkable powers of attack from any part of the court, hitting with pace and direction. His resource, too, in defence, marked him as a worthy champion. Miss M. Andrew's defeat of Miss M. Wake 6-1, 3-6, 7-5, was a real surprise. The new champion played better than she has ever done before, but was fortunate to strike Miss Wake on an "off" day. Had M.iss Wake been in form the final would certainly have be-en a display of tennis of a high standard, but errors with monotonous regularity detracted from its value from a playing point of view. Tor the spectators, however, tho match had plenty of excitement, and the varying fortunes of the game, in which both players were within a point of match, were followed with breathless interest. Miss Andrew displayed an accuracy quite foreign to her usual dashing but rather haphazard methods, and the win may impress upon her the value of discretion and restraint in match play. Her aerrice and ground strokes, both forehand and backhand, were excellent, and on the few occasions she came to the net she was decisive, in her methods.

The second upset occurred in tho men's £ OU -?J eS m fillal * when W - S - Somerville and it. U. Tait defeated in sensational fashion *he much-fancied pair T. Rhodes-Williams and H. Dymond. This game, too, was of a high standard, but marred by too frequent errors, particularly on the part of Rhodes-Williams. It was a popular and well-merited win, for Somerville and Tait have played together for many years now, and their consistency has at last received its reward. Canterbury is fortunate in its possession of several battlers like Somerville, who are always ready to do their best for the game in play or on the administrative side of the sport. Curiously enough, the score in the women's doubles final was identical with that of the men's event, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. , This time, the surprise consisted in the unexpectedly stern fight put up by the losers, Misses M. Sowden and I. Morrison. They were pitted against a very formidable combination ia Misses Wake and Andrew, and did very well indeed to capture the middle set. Miss Sow-den was the brains of the losers' combination, sad proved herself as good a volleyer as any woman player in Canterbury. Unfortunately she does not always play with confidence. Miss Morrison, during the progress of the tournament, played herself right into the top flight of players. A competitor and winner in the under eighteen event t her performance in reaching a senior championship final was a remarkable one. She is one of the most brilliant juniors the province has produced for many year*. The final of the women's doubles was not of a very high standard. The junior events produced some fine tennis in the finals. A. A. Mac Gibbon is sixteen years of age, and A. H. Meikleham is fifteen. Either would have held his own with many senior players. Miss Morrison, in winning the girls' title, showed brilliant from, quite eclipsing her opponent. Miss T. Poole, promising player though the latter is.

The tournament has been a thorough success from all point* of view, under the Capable management of Mr Wyon V. Stevens, tournament secretary, and Mr B. Browning, general secretory. Its success baa been due, too to the efforts of many helpers, such aa Mr H. G. Wake and Mr P. E. Bean, who attended to the provision of umpires and ball-boys. Perfect weather and perfect courts have enabled the to rney to be played under ideal conditions. During the afternoon Mr W. Goes, chairman of the Wilding Park Committee, in the absence of the president of the Association, Mr 3. H. Kirk, presented the cups and trophies won during the tournament. The uncompleted events, the combined championship and handicap doubles, will be decided this morning! when some excellent games are promised. A final between Miss Andrew and I. A. Seay and Miss Wake and T. Rhodes-Williams should provide tennis of a high standard. Results of Saturday's matches are as follows :

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. MEN'S SINGLES. (Best of three advantage sets. Holder C. Angas.) Semi-final. C. Angas beat 3. R. Johnston, 6-0, 6-2. Final. C. Angae beat T. Rhodes-Williams, 6-2, 6-3. MEN'S DOUBLES. (Seat of three advantage sets. Holders, C. Angas and E. G. Boddy.) Semi-final. W S. Somarville and R. H. Tait beat T. W. Patterson and 3. R. Johnston, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Final. W S Somerville and R. H. Tait beat T. Rhodes-Williams and H. Dymond, 6-3, 6-4. WOMEN'S SINGLES. (Best of three advantage sets. Holder, Miss M. Speirs.) Final. Miaa M. Andrew beat Miss M. Wake, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. __ WOMEN'S DOUBLES. (Best of three advantage sets. Holders, Mrs T. Pritchard and Miss M. Speirs.) Semi-final. Misses M. Sowden and L Morrison beat Misses G. and M. Rankin, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Final. Misses M. Wake and M. Andrew beat Misses M. Sowden and I. Morrison, 6-3, 3-6, COMBINED DOUBLES. (Best of three advantage sets. Holder?. Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay.l Second Round. Miss M. Sowden and H. Dymond best Mies H G. Jones and N. Anderson. 6-1, 8-6. Third Round. Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay beat Miss R. Dallas and S. W. Field 6-1. 6-4. Mrs E. L. G. Crawshaw and J. R. OrawshaW beat Mrs T. P. Laurenson and T. P. Laurenron 6-4. 6-3. Miss M, W-ake and T. Rhodes-Williams beat Miss N. Smithson and W. S, Clayton 6-0. 3-6. 6-0. Miss M. Sowden and H. Dymond beat Miss D. Scott and R. Browning 8-6. 6-3. Semi-final. Miss M Andrew 3nd I. A. Seay beat Mrs E. L. G. Crawshaw and J. R. Crawshaw 6-1, 4-6, 6-0. BOYS' SINGLES. (Best of three sets, third advantage. Holder. H. A. Barnett.) Final. A. A. Mac Gibbon beat A. H Meikleham 6-5. 4-6. 6-3. * GIRLS' SINGLES. (Best of three sets, third advantage. Holder, Miss M. Sherris.) Final. Miss L Morrison beat Miss T. Poole 6-0, 6-2. Handicap Brents. MEN'S SINGLES. Final. W. ©os*. jar., fowe | 15) beat R. H. Tait (owe 13 i) 9 7.

MEN'S DOUBLES. second Round—A. A. Pullar aud 1\ W. Walls (rec 15; beat E. Discn and G. Morris (rec. 15 9-7; ; R. Browning and i. Laurensun (owe 15 1-6) beat S. W. neiJ and H. T. Richards (owe 3-6 15) 9-6; 1. vy. Patterson and J. R. Johnston (owe lo *■*>) best A. Borrows and W. Goss, Jan. (owe o-G 15; 9-7. Third Round—R. Browning and l. Laurenson beat H. Tillman and H. «. Ogier (owe 2-6 15) 9-0; \V. S. sointrvino and R. H. Tan (owe 30) beat R. tracroft Wilson aud Colonti Dickenson (scr; u-i, XAnderson and H. G. Searle (owe 15) beat J. R. Crawsuow and X. G. Munns towe Ij 1-6) 9-1; T. W. Patterson and J. R. t ! oun. hton beat A. A. Pullar and T. W. WalN 9-o. Semi-anal —N. Anderson and H. G. teane beat K. Browning and T. P. Laurensoa 9-0; T. W. Patterson and J. R. Johnston beat \\. .-?. Somervi.'le aud R. H. Tail 9-S. Final. T. W. Patterson and J. R. Johnston beat X. Anderson and 11. G. Searie 9-5. WOMEN'S SINGLES. Third Round—Miss V. Flood (scr) oeat Miss X. Reed (owe 4-6 15) 9-3; Miss I. Morrison (owe 15) beat Miss D. Fleetwood (owe 1-G 15) 9-6. Semi-anal —Miss V. Flood beat Miss b. Goss (owe 4-6 15) 9-5: Miss M. Saunders <owo 15) beat Miss I. Morrison w.o. Final. Miss V. Flood beat Miss M. Saunders 9-3. WOMEN'S DOUBLES. Third Round—Misses E. and I>. Fleetwood 'rec. 1-6 15) beat Misses M. Armstrong and K. Edmonds (rec. 15) 9-7; Miss M. Sowden and I. Morrison (owe 15) beat Mrs h. L. G. Crawshow and Miss N. Smithsou towe 15) 9-S. Semi-final—Misses E. and D. Fleetwood beat Misses R. Pallas and H. G. Jones (owe 5-0 15) 9-7; Misses M. Sowden aud I. Morrison beat Misses B. Macdonald and D. Quill (owe 15 1-G) 9-3. Final. Misses M. Sowden and I. Morrison beat Misses E. and IX Fleetwood 9-7. COMBINED DOUBLES. First Round —Miss R. Dallas and S. \v. Field beat Miss A. Dixon and E. S. Dixon (rec. 15 1-6) 9-8. Second Round—Miss E. Borrows and A. Borrows (owe 15 4) beat Miss Y. Levvey and H. W. Thompson (rec. 15) 9-4; Miss G. Rankin and W. S. Somerville (owe 30) beat Miss B. Tipping and C. A. Rattray (rec. 2-6 15) 9-5; Miss R. Dallas and S. \\ . Field beat Miss I. Fuiton and A. G. Mallet (ov.-a 5-6 15) 9-5; Miss H. G. Jones and N. Anderson (owe 15 2-6) beat Miss I. Morrison and W. G Morrison (owe 4-6 15) 9-3. Third Round —Miss E. Borrows and _ A. Borrows beat Miss M. Hookham and H. Tillman (ser) 9-7; Mrs E. L. G. Crawshaw and J. R. Crawshaw beat Mrs C. Holland and Webb (owe 1-6 15) 9-6; Miss H. G. Jones and N. Anderson beat Miss M. Sherris and N. G. Munns (owe 15 2-6) 9-S.

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

SINGLES SEMI-FINAL. The difference between players of the first flight and those only a few places removed on thß ranking list was apparent m the semi-final match between C. Angas and J. R, Johnston. Johnston, with a return of his old-time form, had already beaten two of the best in B. B. Loughnan and J. H. W. Sheppard, but in sequence sets against Canterbury's first man he could score only two games. Angas played almost faultlessly in the first set, attacking from start to finish. Johnston was able to keep the rallies going, but invariably Angas finished them m his favour. ANGAS WINS. To defeat. T. Rhodes-Williams 6-2. 6-3, C. Angas produced probably the finest tennis of his career. He was the embodiment of confidence throughout following the policy of bustling his opponent with practically every stroke. The success of this policy was apparent to those who saw Rhodes-Williamß beat Seay. The latter player in his match on Friday was content to wait for chances of scoring in long rallies. Angas would have none of this. Every shot was meant to score, and he kept Rhodes-Williams on the defensive practically throughout the two sets. Rhodes-Williams appeared to be less accurate than usual, but this was probably because he was allowed less time in which to make his strokes. Angas's objective was nearly always the net, and once in position bis volleys and smashes allowed of no second attempt. , , Angas bustled to a 3-love lead before Rhodes-Williams opened his Bcore. Angas's early attempts in the short court were not fruitful, Rhodes-Williams keeping him guessing with low side-line drives. The latter, However, was netting his forehand and just missing the lines when he had chances of scoring. A clean service ace and a pretty net attack gave Rhodes-Williams his first game. The sixth was his, too, although Angas drew applause for some very fine returns from the corners. Angas speeded up and attacked strongly from all parts of the court to take the first set 6-2. Again in the second set Angas ran to a S-love lead, thrusting to the openings with deadly volleys from close quarters. Rhodes-Williams had not yet found his accurate driving game, and all appeared over when Angas led 5-1. However, » flash of his old brilliance gave him the next game. He conceded a match point in the next, but two winners from the net grave him the game 3-5. On Angas s service, Rhodes-Williams twice missed the. line by inches with forehand drives, and Angas had the advantage. ' Angas followed in his service and took the game and championship as Rhodes-Williams again drove a hair's-breadth over the side-line.

A New Champion. Miss Melva Wake was a little unfortunate. After being a runner-up on many occasions to the previous champion. Miss M. Speirs, it was thought that her turn had at last come, with the departure of Miss Speirs, now Mrs Dykes, from the province. Her ill-luck consisted in her meeting Miss May Andrew On a day when the latter was playing inspired tennis, and when she herself was just a little below form. However, both players gained something from the meeting. Miss Andrew won the title, an honour she fully deserved, and Miss Wake, in defeat, proved herself a great sport and a great fighter when her luck was ft little out. Miss Andrew owed her win not only to a preponderance of errors on the part of her opponent, but to her ability t» return with interest the hardest drives that Miss Wake could put into her backhand corner. On Miss Andrew's opening services Miss Wake hardly hit a ball near the court, but she fought to deuce before Miss Andrew took the game. Miss Wake's sweeping drives functioned for the first and only time during the second game, and after 1-all was called Mies Andrew ran away with five games m a row. Her service, ground strokes, and overhead were alike working perfectly, and she was able to return the most difficult of fhots. Miss Andrew was making her share of mistakes in the second session, and led 2-love and 3-1, a hot attack to the backhand rewarding Miss Wake with many points. With beautiful cross-court backhand shots, Miss Andrew drew up to 3-4. After six deuces, the next game went to Miss Wake, who was fighting for every point. Miss Wake took the next game and the set. Miss Wake had gained a little accuracy at the opening of the third set, and with a degree of confidence, leading 3-1. A lead of 5-3, and Miss Wake had two match points, Miss Andrew still lacking her initial precision and dash. The latter, however, saved splendidly, and bringing off fine retrieves, fought to 5-all. Winning the odd game, Miss Andrew now had match point at 6-5 and 3040 on her opponent's service, but Miss Wake won the stroke brilliantly at the net. She lost the next two, however, in fine driving rallies, and the set and championship were Miss Andrew's.

Mcn'i Doubles. W. S. Somerville and R. H. Tait entered tha final of the jnen's doubles by virtue of a rather unimpressive victory over T. W. Patterson and J. R. Johnston. The game was a poor one as doubles displays go, timidity on the part of all four men accounting for many weak returns on balls which should have been killed outright. Patterson was the worst offender in this respect. Time after time he patted back short lobs that would have landed inside the service court. The game was spoilt, too, by repeated errors in ground strokes and volleys. Somerville and Tait attacked just a little more strongly than their opDonents and were always in the lead. Tait was the most effective at the net, and had plenty of opportunities for his pretty angled volleys. Somerville's service was, as usual, a considerable asset to the winning pair.

A Surprise Win. It was a very different Somerville and Tail, however, who met T. Rhodes-Williams and H. Dvmond in the final round in the afternoon. Their win was one of the surprises of the tournament, for Rhodes-Williams and Dymond had already defeated two of the best doub'es men in New Zealand, and the holders of the title, in An?as and Boddy. Although RhodesWilliams was rather off-colour, the win was a very meritorious one. Tait was the vital force "in the winners' combination. He and his partner served splendidly throughout, but his backhand and heavily-cut forehand—a shot which he specialises in and employs almost solely in dcubles—shot into the openings with unerring certainty. Both tli° winners exploited the; lob to a nicety, and Somerville was always solid in g-round strokes. In the final set especially he volleved decisively oft' the most difficult s'uots. On the losers' side. Dymond must have the credit for playing a superb and grimly determined same, bearing the full brunt of his partner's lapse cf form.

Somerville opened with service," but doublefaulted with advantage in, and Rhodes-Wil-liams and Dymond captured the game. However. Tnit's low net-skimming shots and Somerville's cross-court driving saw them take the lead at 4-1 and 5-2. Dymond lost the first point through foot-faulting in the next game, and showed his resentment V>y taking the game with seme terrific volleys and a splendid punch down the centre of the court. Somerville's ervice was not to be denied, and he took the first set. 6-3. Some electric exchanges between Dymond and Somerville opened the second set. the score going to 3-all. Dymond took service to love, and, volleying brilliantly to the openings, he practically carried the next two games on his own, to win the set at 6-3. Somerville and Tait had the advantage of opening service in the final set. and had the odd game to 3-all. Tait served, and led 40-15 on their opponents' errors. Tail evoked roars of applause by bis beaut::*.:'.,

clean volleys, which gave him the lead at 4-8. Dymond won his service and the score was 4-all. Somerville, who had been scoring on service throughout the match, again led 5-4, winning the game with a beautiful half-volley down the centre. On fthodes-Williams's service Dymond cut off a return and led 30-love. Somerville somehow retrieved a smash by Dymond and stop-volleyed a terrific drive from Rhodes-Williams. Detice was called, but Rhodes-Williams erred on the last two points, for Somerville and Tait to take the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Women's Doubles Final. The match between Misses Andrew and Wake (winner and runner-up respectively in the singles championship) and Misses Sowden and Morrison was interesting throughout, and the result was doubtful until well on in the third set. Some magnificent play was witnessed by the spectators in the final games, and both pairs had little to worry about in their exhibition. The superiority of the winners lay in their reliability, but all four players brought .off some brilliant strokes, Misses Sowden and Andrew at the net volleying with precision. Misses Wake and Andrew got into their stride early, and won the first set, 6-3. They made a splendid combination at the net, and their attack won them many points. Miss Morrison was playing with judgment, and her fast driving was pretty to watch. This player has a beautiful forehand stroke, which, when a little more fully developed, should be difficult to stop. The play and combination of Misses Sowden and Morrison improved greatly in the second set, and the former player brought off some brilliant shots at the net, the back-line being safe in the hands of her partner. Their opponents lost several points through a doubt as to who should take balls in the centre of the court, play at this stage being rather ragged, due to a gusty wind which prevented accurate lobbing. The score reached 5-1 in favour of the losers, and a temporary recovery by their adversaries brought it to 5-3. The last game was hard-fought, and was marked by good serving by Miss Andrew, the set finishing, however, at 6-3. The final set reached 3-3 after a protracted duel with lively volleying and greatly improved play. Misses Andrew and Wake were working together much better now, and played with confidence. The match finished with the scores, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Boys' Even Contest. The final of the boys' championship singles between A. A. Mac Gibbon and A. H. Meikle ham provided a very equal contest, the match going to three hard-fought sets. Mac Gibbon, the winner, demonstrated his slight superiority in the latter part of the third set, when his younger opponent seemed to lose control, and failed to come up to his former standard Both players were content throughout to indulge in bacicourt play, taking few risks, and coming to the net but seldom. Mac Gibbon has a pretty style, and executed his backhand strokes especially with judgment and precision, the steadiness of both players producing some long but interesting rallies. Mac Gibbon took the first set. 6-5, after a hard battle. while Meikleham won the second. 6-4. Here the younger boy came to light with some well-placed shots, keeping his opponent on the move continuously. The first six games of the final set were even, but with the score at 3 all. Mac Gibbon took control, winning the last three games in fast time. His service was strong and well directed, and. for a boy. very well developed. The exhibition was a 'very interesting one throughout.

Magnificent Tennis. Miss I. Morrison was too strong all round for Miss T. Poole, a considerably younger player, in the final of the jrirls under eighteen championship. Miss Morrison played magnificent tennis, pasting everythine she could get her racket to. Service, forehand backhand, volley, and smash. Miss Morrison has the strokes of a champion, and she should with match experience such as she has eained durine the tourney, improve rapidly. Her tennis has been improved by the championship tournament just con eluded, at least fifteen every game. Miss Poole fought bravely against heavy odds, but while her strokes, too, are sound and wellproduced, she had not the experience necessary to succeed in matches.

To-day's Programme. lii a.m.—Combined doubles handicap, third round: Miss <""■ Rankin and W. S. Somerville v. Miss R. Dallas and 8. W. Field. 10.45 a.m.—Winners of foregoing match meet Miss E. Borrows and A. Borrows in semi-final. 10 a.m.—Semi-final: Mrs F. L. G. Craw, shaw ar.d J. R. Craw«haw v. Miss 11. G. Jones aid X. Anderson. 10 a.m.—Combined doubles championship, semi-final: Miss M. Sowden and H. Tyrnond v. Miss M. Wake and T. Rhodes-Williams. 11 a.m.—Winners of foregoing match meet Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay in final.