LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 7 February 1938, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

FINALS IN WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS

W. SMITH WINS MEN'S

SINGLES

The West Coast Lawn Tennis Association's annual championship and handicap tournament concluded yesterday. Cold weather and overcast skies with a threat of rain made playing conditions unfavourable, and there was only a moderate attendance to see the principal matches. W. Smith beat P. Warnes in the men's championship singles 6-1, G-4. The same on the whole was disappointing, both men being Jess enterprising than cautious. Warnes sometimes missed simple shots and allowed his opponent to take the offensive. Smith was stroking well and placing accurately, using a ilatly-hit backhand to good effect. Warnes was losing 1-1 in the second set, but with deeply placed drives and chops he evened the score. Smith then used a stinging backhand to put his opponent on the run, and look the lead 5-4. Warnes fought back gamely, making some line recoveries, but Smith was not to be denied and stormed the net, volleying and smashing to win the set 6-4. Mrs N. Provan proved too severe for Miss M. Wake, winning the women's championship singles G-l, 7-5. Mrs Provan drove and served with greater pace than Miss Wake, and advanced successfully to the net to take the first set easily. In the second set Miss Wake settled down to play steadily, scoring several points with a fast, clipped drive and catching Mrs Provan out of position. Mrs Provan continued to press the attack, however, covering tne court in a manner disconcerting to a steadier opponent, who was missing the side lines by inches with skimming drives. Mrs Provan tised a greater variety of strokes, but she won the match as much through her opponent's lapses as by her own stroke equipment. The final of the men's championship doubles produced the best tennis of the day. Halstead and Pattinson beat Reid and Warnes 6-4,*3-6, 6-0. Pattinson's volleying and smashing were outstanding, while Halstead : striking improved form, drove fiercely to either corner and time and again changed defence into attack. Reid played steadily, as did Warnes. although in the second set they took the offensive, playing fast and aggressivp •tennis. Halstead and Pattinson set up a withering attack in the third set. however, and, advancing to the net under the barrage of his partner's cleanly hit drives Pattinson volleyed and smashed his way to a. splendid win. Results:--MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES Final W. Smith beat P. Warnes 6-1, 6-4. WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES _ Final Mrs N. Provan beat Miss M. Wake 6-1. 7-5. MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES Final Halstead and Pattinson beat Reid snd Warnes 6-4, 3-6, 6-0. WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES Final Mrs Cheyne and Miss Costello beat Mesdames Halstead and King 6-3, 6-1. COMBINED HANDICAP DOUBLES Final

T. Childs and Miss A. Stapleton (owe 30 4-6) beat Miss A. Bush and Sharman (owe 15), 9-2. WOMEN'S HANDICAP SINGLES Final Mrs O. Cheyne (owe 30 3-6) beat Mrs E. Halstead (owe 30), 9-6. WOMEN'S HANDICAP DOUBLES Final Mrs O'Neill and Miss Ray (rec. 15) beat Misses Tyson and Richmond (owe 30 2-6), 9-8. CRICKET COMPETITION GAME AT WESTPORT In the Buller Cricket Association's main fixture on Saturday, the competition leaders, St. Canice's, were beaten by Tiroroa. Tiroroa made 138, and St. Canice's 105. A feature of the match was a splendid 'innings of 85 by J. Smart for Tiroroa. f SPORTS POSTPONED AT HOKITIKA

Rain on Saturday caused the postponement of the Hokitika Swimming Club's carnival, and the Kanieri-Rimu-Woodstock sports gathering.