LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 November 1907, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

(By Intek-Club.)

Fine weather and no wind .on Saturday favoured tennis players, so that there could bo no excuse for erratic play. In the "Shield" Contest Wellington beat Newtown fairly easily by 11 sets to 2 (103 games to 70).' Fisher was playing in very good form and beat Morris 9—5. F. P. Wilson playorl an excellent gnmc against Peacock, but only managed to secure 4 games. Brown and β-ixhvnrd had a very oloso game, 7 all being called, then Brown with his accurate-drives and good volleying secured tho next two games. Thcro was little to choose between Green and Naglo, the former' just managed to win 9—B. It came rather as a surpriso that tho two' New Zealand representative ladies should, be beaten by Mrs. Nagle and Misc Glasgow. Miss Travel's was bitting as hard as usual, but seemed to be constantly finding the Jiet, whereas Mrs. Naglo played very steadily and kept on until Miss Travel's either netted the ball or drove it out. Hiss Glasgow played much the same game against Miss Ward, got everything back in a safo ami steptly manner—the former lady scorned to lose patience. Both ladies' singles went to Newtown 7—6. Fisher and Peacock heat Morris.-and Redward 9—5; this game was noticeable mainly for tho eccentricity of the services delivered by the Wellington pair. Brown and J. S. Wilson had a good gamo against F.P.Wilson and Nagle, beating them 9—l. Green and Cook beat Low and Lewis 9—5. Miss Ward and Mrs. Hickson wore playing up to their old form, beating Mrs. Naglo and Miss Glasgow 7—3. Mrs. Rickson's laft handed cut drive is always a telling shot in a ladies' double. Misses Robinson and Clark, who , both hit linrtl, pliiycd an excellent game against Misses 'l'ravors and Williams, only being beaten 7—4. Wilson and Miss Williams only just managed to beat Low and Miss Robinson 7—6. Lewis and Miss Clark were hcaton by Cook and Mrs. Hickson 7—4.

Brougham Hill defeated Victoria College 7 sets to C (87 games to 76) after a hard fight. Laishley fell to Prouse, who played a very lino game, hitting hard and accurately, while the former was not playing up to form, and his smashing was decidedly erratic. Proiiso led 5 —2, and took the set 9—4. Young's steady play resulted in liis heating Beero 9—l, hut tho score does not denote the game. Rcore played well, but his opponent always made the winning shot at the right time. Hunter and 0. Proiiso had.an ovoii gamp, the former winning 9—7. The game between Qninnell and Putnam ran into a vantage set, ending in u win for tile College 11 —!). Both men played well, but Quiiinell was not so successful as usual 'with his low volleys. Beero and Proiiso got away from Young and Laishley. and loci B—s, then tlits latter pair seemed to pull themselves together, and levelled up at S all. Tho next game went to •Brougham Hill, who in tho following game were within one point of game and set, when Laishle.y made a double fault, and allowcxl Victoria College, to even. Brougham Fill won the next two games and match 11—9, thus securing a remarkable win from a losing position. Huntor and Lindsay won somewhat easily from Anderson and 0. Pnuisc. Proiiso pfayAl a good game, but Anderson, a Christcluircli plover, who hns recently joined Victoria College, has not yet struck form, hut will bo seen to better advantage later on. Quinnell and Howo won their match from Putnam and Dr. Knight 9—l. Miss Van

Staverh beat Mrs. Goldie 7 —l; the former lady's cut strokes troubled her opponent, who did not seem to lie. playing her usual game Mrs. Bell played a very good game against Miss Roberts, volleying very successfully. Hiss Koborts did not seem to realise that hnr opponent was a left handed player, and drove to the usual backhand, which of enurse. was Mrs. Boll's forehand. Limlsny and Sirs. ilowo were too steady for Anderson and Miss Scott, tho former pair winning 7—3. Dr. Knight and Miss Cox combined well and brat Howe and Mrs. Lindsay 7—2. Both ladies' doubles'went to Victoria College. Misses Cox and Scott played a steady game and just managed to boat Mesdames Bell and Lindsay, after a vantago set. Misses Van Stnvo.rn and Roberts combined well, winning 7 —4 from Mcsdames Goldie and Howe.

Jn the "Cup" Contest, the closest match was between Brougham Hill and Khandallah, tho former club winning by 7 sets to 6, but the latter club won the most games, scoring S3, to Brougham Hill's 81. Hoklsworth was much too good for Howe, his long reach at the net repeatedly beating "is opponent. Watkins and Marrox both played well, and just succeeded in beating their opponents in the singles, by a narrow margin. Mrs. W. K Howe did well to take 5 games from Miss Cock, us also did lliss Archer in securing 4 games from Miss Eatham. Tho Khiiiidallah Club has been greatly strengthened by the inclusion of Miss Batham in its team. This lady has played senior for some seasons, and is certainly amongst Wellington's best players. Wellington defeated Karori by 11 sets to 2 (9G games to 49). Sinytho in his single, and Smytho and Downs in the men's double were responsible for Karori's two wins. Wellington had a strong team, its men in particular being above the average for cup teams. Potone defeated Victoria College by 13 sets to nil (105 games to' 35). D. S. Smith and Eichclbaum put up the best fight for the losers, against Hawkins and Coimell, only being beaten 9 —6. Potone has made a pood start, and now that it is on tho up grade, will tako some beating before tho season is over.

For the "Pennant" Brougham Hill A secured a win against Victoria College A easily, and the Johnsonvillo team, which is fairly strong, won from Victoria College B, without much trouble.

In tho "Racquet" contest Kilbirnio, a now club, started well by beating Victoria College \ sets to nil. Hutchings, who played for- the winners, being a player of great promise. ■. .

Although tho Victoria College teams (lid not do so well as was expected, tho players, many of" whom have not played in matches before, will, with constant practice, show to better advantage when they gain some of the confidence which can only be obtained by playing in matches and against strange players.

The Wellington Provincial Association intends holding its annual championship and handicap tournament on January 1, 2, and 3, at the Day's Bay courts. Coming immediately after the Now Zealand meoting, and running at tho same timo as the Tnranaki tournament, tho quality of the play, will hardly bo up to its usual standard, as nearly all the best local players will bo attracted north.

Wellington and Victoria College seniors meet at tho Wellington Courts to-day, tho result of which match will in all probability be in favour of the former club. Nmvtown and" Brougham Hill meet on the Tatter's courts, and should have a good fight. Tho home team should just about win.

The Thorndon Lawn Tennis Club opened its courts for play last Saturday. The grounds had been given* careful attention during the off season, and tho turf was in hotter condition than it has been for somo years. Naturally attended in largo numbers, tho ladies* being in tho majority. Mrs. Mai&hbahks, Mrs. Homes, Misses Merchant and Nunnoly, and Messrs. SwanEton, I'oaccck, Fisher, Protiso, 'and others showed good form for so early in the season.

Tho Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association championship and handicap tournament kijlows immediately after the New Zealand meeting, starting on Monday, December MO,, and continuing until the following Thursday. The usual five championship and five handicap events will be held. Entries close at 0 p.m. on Saturday, December 21.

Jn choosing a racket, first decide what weight you intend using (14 to 14} for men, 13 to 13} for ladies); thon carefully balance the racket in your hand, and, if the handle and balance arc satisfactory, next examine the frame, and see that the wood is of a wide grain. Next examine'the {jut, and remember tho gut-maker does not stain his first quality —it is too valuable—so avoid pretty colours. The gut should be quite clear. On no account buy a racket that has been hanging up in the shop, as the gut, being exposed lo changes of temperature, will probably bo slack, or will very quickly become so. Tho better "the racket, the more likely it is to warp. The reason of this is that gut is very susceptible to changes in weather. Damp and cold cause it to shrink, and heat to expand. It the racket has, for some unavoidable reason, been taken out in the colcl or damp, it should bo placed in a warm room and after an hour or so may be put in ;i press. To put a racket in a press unless in a hot room is worse than useless. It is truo tho racket won't warp, but the strain r jn the frame is such that the grain will separate, or, if tho racket is really well strung, the gut may actually pull through tho holes. In the cold or damp weather, a last year's racket will be found the best,- , as the giit will shrink, and, for the tiniCj you will have a tightly-strung racket. It is necessary to say that dew is a form of damp. A pet racket should never really be used except in fine, sunny weather. It might also be pointed out that it is well to avoid picking up a ball on the ground with the racket with that rolling movement considered so graceful at gardeii parties. The head is liable to become worn. A. racket should bo kept in a box or drawer in a dry place. All dealers in rackets should keep them in tho envelopes carefully packed away in a drawer or damp-proof box until wanted. It is only fair to the highly-strung goods, and also to the customers.

In Wales, tennis is takeii just as seriously —especially at Cardiff and Newport—as is Rugby football. Inter-club matches have been in existence since 1903, and have been the means of considerably improving tho pla. , of the weaker clubs in South Wales, thus justifying the purpose of the establishment of these matches. Would it not be advisable' for all clubs in New Zealand to just thinic that matter calmly over, and, without being unduly seltisli, give a candid decision on tin: subject?