LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 69, 14 December 1907, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

(By Inter-Club.)

Tennis players were again favoured with fine weather for their matches last Saturday. I'ho two senior contests were played on the Day's Bay courts,' and the rain on the previous night had made the courts just a httlo heavy, but as the afternoon advanced the players had little to grumble at. Brougham Hill did not repeat its performance against Wellington in the first round of the Shield contest, only being able to win two matches—both advantage sets. Fisher, by using the same tactics as ho did against Laishley, in the first round, was successful in again defeating his more dashing opponent. Laishley has not been playing anything like his game of past years this season. The match between Peacock and Swanston was of great interest, the latter, player having beaten Peacock; somewhat easily' in the previous round. From the start Peacock played a. safo back lino game, giving his o'p-i poncnt.-few opportunities - at the: net, and won comfortably, 9^-5.: Fisher' and Peacock disposed of Swanston and Laishley, 9—2 in the doubles. These threo matches were played on the Thorndon Courts.' Such a proceeding was coftainly unusual, hut no doubt the Shield committee had excellent reasons for granting such a favour. A long and interesting match was fought between J. S. Wilson and Young. Wilson ran away with a lead, 6—3, and going strong looked like a winner, but Young is a hard man to beat. He played with such determination and safety that eventually 9 all was called, and'after two more keenly contested games he took the set, 11—9. •

Brown had his revenge on "Hunter-, who at times was. apt.to get out of position, and was passed at the net several times by some, very fine drives. Mrs. Goldie put up a good fight against Mrs. Hickson, and led 3—l, but the Wellington lady took the lead at s—4,'and won the set, 7—4. Miss Williams had no difficulty in winning her. single from Mrs. 8011, who was not playing at her best on the grass. Wilson and Drown make a strong i double, and although Young and Quinnell are working better together they had to suffer defeat; 9—6, from the Wellington pair. Cooke and Fraser, after having 6—3 called in their favour slackened off, and allowed Hunter and Bell to make the score !) all, and finally pull the match off

The first ladies' double went to Wellington by default; one of the' Brougham Hill ladies having to retire owing to an injury to her ankle. Misses Travers and Williams played too fast and furious a game for their opponents—Mesdamcs Howe and Lindsay, who were unable to do anything against them. Quinnell and Mrs. Howe gave Cooke and Mrs. Ward a fair run, taking i 'games from them. Miss Ward is showing by far the best form of any of the Wellington ladies playing in the inter-club, contests. Her serve is as good as most of the men's, and she has cultivated a fine swinging-, back hand drive. This lady should givo a good account of herself at tho New Zealand Tournament.

As in tho first round, Newtown and Victoria Colloge bad a strenuous fight, but the 1 armor team this time reversed matters— winning by 7 seta to G. When these- clubs met in the first round, Victoria College had a somewhat lucky win by one set, the losers having tho advantage ill games. Newtown from the start of tho match on Saturday were determined to wipe out the ..defeat) and justified their position bysecuring a well deserved win, although it was by. only, one sot. In the first round they'had a .-lead" of 8 games, and this time that total was increased by 2, thus showing that they aro stronger all round, in comparison with the College team. Morris and G.. Prouse'had a vory even game, hard driving being the order of play. Prouse was just able to avert defeat by one game. -Wilson, after his brilliant win last Saturday, fell ..to Ileere, who is certainly getting back to his old form. This player will in all probability spring some surprises in the next round-. "■ ■-••■■■.-:

Miss Glasgow could make no headway against Aliss Van Stavern, who made the pace pretty warm, there being quite an absence of Jong rallies so noticeable in most of tho games played by the Newtown Jady.

Miss Roberts did better, against "Mrs. Naglo than on the hist occasion when they, met. Tho latter won 7—S.-"vYlorris and Redward v. I'rouse and Beere was n good go, it'being in doubt up to the last moment, as to which pair would take'the winning game.' Lewis and Brailsford wore 'pushed hv Putnam and D. Smith. The.Uast named'player made his first appearance !; 'in-.the Shield contest, and must be congratulated on his performance, and he, with Miss Scott scored a good win against Lewis' and Mrs. Grady. Misses Glasgow and Robinson were only defeated, 6—7, by Misses Van Stavern and Roberts. Mesdames Nagle and Grady defeated their loss experienced opponents, Misses Cox and Scott, 7—2.

; ' Wellington defeated Khandallah in the Cup contest, 7 sets to 6, two- men's', singles going to each club, and both.ladies':singles going to Khandallah. Wellington secured men's doubles, one ladies' double,- ami both tho combined doubles; -

. Brougham Hill had an easy win from.Newtown 11 sets to 2. ■ For the losing .tearii Sheppard beat Maddox, 9—B, and Low and Sheppard defeated Howe and ,\Y"n'tkins. 9—7: Petone beat Karori by-8 sets" to 5, hut must have received a shock When tlioy lost the. first and second singles, and also. the. first double. The ladies pulled them through, although Hisses Thompson and Sniythe went very near upsetting what- was considered n sure win for I'etone. : For the Pennant Brougham Hill A won from Victoria College A by 6 sets .to '.I;.. Miss Cqtike being'the. only on 6 td'.scoro .a win'for the .College. Jolmsonville is still ; going..strong and'.dev. "feated Victoria College-B by irscts to nil._ ■■■ ■, RACQUET : CONTEST: ''~. The competition iii tho ~ lowest. grade is causing great excitement amongst the several clubs that have teams playing, .'and the contest is going to be a; most lively , one. Muritai fell from gracc badly; allowing the Brougham Hill team to win easily. Victoria College also went down badly' to the Broug-: ham Hill Club's second Racquet team. Kilbiniie holds pride of place with the Brougham Hill A team, but there is a long way to go yet, and any team can win. Jluritai ; and Kilbirnie are both young'clubs, and are giving a very good accounts themselves in tills their first year's experience, of interclub matches. They should know more next year. / AUSTRALIAN NOTES. Victoria beat South Australia in "the interstate match by 14 rubbers, 33 sets," 299 games, to 7 rubbers, 20 . sets, 259 games. Victoria had two inter-state teams .in the field, and did splendidly to. win against South Australia, with the second string. The Victorian ladies were far . too!: good.-for-their South' Australian opponents. The latter scored only two sets in the contest.' 'Scores:. Victoria, 12 rubbers, 24 sets, 150 games; South Australia, 0 rubber, 2 sets', 1 64 games. H. A. Parker beat A. W. Dunlop, 6—l,< 2—6, 6—3; and R. W. Heath, 3-6, 6-1, B—6.8 —6. Heath beat H." Rice, 6—o, I—6, 6—3; and A. W. Dunlop also beat Rice, 6—2, 6—4.. By faultless tennis, Dunlop ran out in straight sets and practically won tho cup and medals for Victoria.

H. A< Parker won the Victorian Championship, beating Dunlop in the'final.

The second Mars Buckley Cup Competition played.at Melbourne resulted in the Victorian team beating New South Wales. On the first day's play Victoria led by 3 sets— the rubbers and games being equal. Scores: Victoria—2 rubbers, 10 sets, 76 games.. Now South Wales—2' rubbers," 7--sets, 76 games. The contest was continued in very not weather, which ( made it very i trying for the players and spectators. Both States had good teams, and some first-class tennis was witnessed. Victoria just came out on top by ,4 sets. The grand totals are as follow:— Victoria —6 rubbers, -21 sets, 173 games; New South AValcs—6 rubbers, 17 sets, 166 games. Now South Wales managed to beat Victoria in the intcr-stato match, scoring 12 rubbers, 28 sets, 272 games; to 9 rubbers, 26 sets, 271 games. The contests were all most exciting, and drew a large attendance of spectators. ,