LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19815, 31 December 1929, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS.

PROVINCIAL TOURNEY.

MISS ANDREW AND SEAY WIN COMBINED TITLE. The Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association's provincial championship and handicap tournament was brought to a successful close at Wilding Park yesterday morning, when the two combined events were concluded. Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay rotained their titles in the combined championship event, defeating Miss M. Wake and T. 'Rhodes-Williams, 9-7, 6-4. They were undoubtedly the best team in the draw, and were not seriously troubled at any. stage of their progress. Miss Andrew makes a splendid combined doubles partner and ihe has improved out of all knowledge in this department of the game during the progress of the tourney. She is now hitting with an accuracy that she has not before possessed, and played a sterling game in the final yesterday. The way in which she drove and volleyed to tlie openings showed that her fine play on Saturday was no flaßh in tho pan. Ivan Seay's brilliancy and generalship, allied with Miss Andrew's dependability as a partner, made them a formidable pair. There were just a few too many mistakes for the game to reach the highest standard, but it was, nevertheless, an interesting one throughout, and th» small gallery of spectators found plenty of interest throughout in frequent flashes of brilliant play. RhodesWilliams was still very inconsistent, but Miss Wake showed very nuch improve_d form. By her win yesterday. Miss achieved the rare honour of winning the triple championship—singles, doubles, and combined. It has been a remarkable tournament for her, and it has shown her in an altogether different light from formerly. Equipped with a wide range of beautifullyproduced and effective strokes, she has previously lacked the application necessary to win points at crucial times. Her old erratic style, however, has now given place to an accuracy and steadiness which make her a very difficult player to beat. With an excellent physique, she is speedy on the courts and can return tho most difficult shots with interest. „ . . „ Miss M. Sowden and H. Dymond fully extended the runners-up in the semi-final, the latter player again playing fine tennis. Miss Sowden, too, gave a most creditable showing. The match went the full distance, Miss Wake and Rhodes-Williams -winning 6-*, 4 final of the combined handicap MW W. S. Somerville achieve another success. Partnered by Miss Gwen Rankin, he defeated Mrs E. L. G. Crawshaw and J. R. Crawshaw. Results: — COMBINED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Semi-final. Miss M. Wake and T. Rhodes-Williams boat. Miss M. Sowden and H. Dymond, 6-4, 4-b, 8 " 6 - „■ , Final. Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay beat Miss M. Wake and T. Rhodes-Williams, 9-7, 6-4. COMBINED DOUBLES HANDICAP. Third Round —Miss O. Rankin and W. B. Somerville (owe 30) beat Miss R- Dallas and S. W. Field (owe 15 4-6), 9-8. Semi-final—Miss G. Rankin and W. h. Somerville beat Miss E. Borrow, and A Borrows (owe 15|), 9-2; Mrs K. L. O. C™" Shaw and J. R. Crawshaw (owe 54«) heat Miss H. G. Jones 3nd N. Anderson (owe 15 2-6), 9-3. Final. Miss G. Rankin and W. S. Somerville beat Mrs E. L. G. Crawshaw and J. JtCrawshaw, 9-4. OTHER TOURNAMENTS. AUCKLAND. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEUIOBAK.I AUCKLAND, December 30. The following results have been reached in the Auckland provnicial lawn tennis chamPl °Men'! Singles—Final; Bartleet beat Morrison 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 10-8. In the semi-final of women a singles Miss Knight created a csensation by defeating Miss Msrjorie Macfarlane. Auckland and New Zealand champion, 4-6, 6 ; 2 - M J ° the final Mrs Melody beat Miss Knight 6 2, 4-6, 10-8. . . Women's Doublef —Final: Misses Knight and Whitelaw beat Mesdames Melody and Arneil 6-4. 6-2. SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL. I>c«raber 30. The Southland Tennis Association'» Christmas tournament was concluded to-day. Th# championship events resulted: Men's Singles—H. K. Sumpter. Men's Doubles —H. K. Sumpter wd ». Singles—Mrs W. Scott (Timaru). Girls, Junior —Miss J. Harvey. Bovs Junior —W. Strang.