LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 82, 31 December 1907, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

.'■.(TAIIANAKI CHAMPIONSHIPS. 1 -'.(BY. COBRESPONDENT.) ,V'.■'» -.;' .'.I: New; Plymouth, December 30. - ' -The! Taranaki Lawn ' Tennis Tournament started to-day under, most favourablo circumstances'. The courts are hi'splendid condition, not showing any wear and tear after tho provious tournament. Tho weather is popping /fine, and itis still very hot—much top hot .for tho comfort, of tho players. Thorp are" 74' entries for. the championships, and 147 V' for: tho, handicaps. Altogether thero' will be 210 matphes to bo run olf # in four days.-These largo entries: will require some managing so ;that the .players' will not be worked too hard on the last day. . 'fn'.the! first round of.'tho'men's championship singles, Baucliop, of Port Chalmers, had a great !'go" with Smythc-, taking-, the first set, and being 5 all in the second set, but lost on his sorvice, and Smythe, winning on his, took the set and match. _ ,'i l'oarse, of Temuka, sprang a surprise by defeating Dickie two sets straight. Tho former played a rattling good game, and gave. Fisher a good run in the second round. '■'.". i V Morris put up -strong resistance against Peacock, but never, at'any stago of tho gamo had his opponent worried. • Hurley fell to-Young, but the scoro does not.dcnoto the fight put'up by Hurley. llodwood met and defeated his club mato, Shoppard.' '. '•'■''.. \ In the second round Peacock'and Young met!-' Tho lattor was very / steady, but it did\npt pay against such a vigorous ■ opponent as Peacock.'' ! Ffasor, after losing the first set-'to.Parker, put up a most creditable performance in the second,-, many of tho AYollingtpn playor's shots-being applauded. ■■ .. ; • Brown defeated Nicholson,- ono of New Plymouth's, best players, somewhat easily. ; 'Didsbury was very "off" in'his first set against Quill, but iplaycd quite up' to form in tho second, only being' beaten' after an advantago game.' "■ ■ '.. Tho gamo botween Symthe arid Ransom will coriiploto tho third round. In tho doubles, Pcarso and M'Caskill took a set from Fisher and Peacock, but Bauchop and Cooko .could make no stand against Parker and Quill. Tho-first game in the ladies' championship singles, caused a surprise.. Miss Cock, of Khandallah, had 'Miss" Glasgow, of Newtown, in-difficulties from thp start. • Thero wore no tedious'rallies.' Miss Cock sorvod'and ran iri' on every occasion with such success that her opponent only to scoro threo games against her. Miss -'Prayers made but a poor light against Miss Nunnelcy,'' which disappointed her'supporters, who had hopes,that she might show bettor form in this tournament. Miss Gray is not such a good single player as double, and wont down to Miss K. Bakor.' Miss Batham is playing: well, and dofoated Miss Simpson. Tho lattor lady, from rcceivo 5, beat Miss Ward (owo 5). , In the handicap singles, Miss Nevill defeated Mrs. Goldio,- and Miss Hitchings mado no . stand against Miss Powdrell. Miss Ward and Miss AVellwood had another battle .royal. Both these ladies play much tho same stylo of gamo, and thero were some hot exchanges. Miss Wellwood led 4—2, then 5—4 with "advantago in" threo times, but Miss Ward, with great pluck, stuck to her game, and after making it 5 all tool; tho sot. Miss .Wcllwood strovo hard to gain tho next set, but Miss Ward had tho confidenco of a previous victory, and was not to bo denied. Only one gamo has boon -ployed- in tho championship doubles. The Missos Dickie defeated Misses Baker and Knaggsbaker. • In tho combined championship, Young and Miss Batham had a closo match against Miss Glasgow - and Morris, just getting-homo iii each'set. . Peacock ■ and Miss AVard easily clefeatod Miss Jackson and Symtho. Harold Brown and Miss Travers fought gamely to securo a set from Miss Nunncley and Fisher, hut it was liko trying to stem tho inflowing tido. .