LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 407, 16 January 1909, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS.

(BY INTEH-CLUB.)

Through' the largo entries, and a block on Saturday owing to the same players remaining in the various events, tlie Nelson meeting was not concludcd until January 3, when the finals of tho championship combined, the ladies' championship doubles, and tho combined handicap were, played. There aro great' possibilities in both Miss Wellwood and Harold Brown—the runners- : up of tho championship combined doubles. The lady, who hails from Hawke's Bay, has only- recently come into prominence as a Slayer. Great ' things were predicted for tiss Wellwood when she defeated Miss Nunneley last Easter on tho . Brougham Hill courts, and there seems little doubt'that, with' more experience and tournament playj this young lady, who is the possessor of a fine serve, good stinging forehand drive, and a capability to smash, combined with excellent staying powers, will, during the nest few years, work ner way to the top. Brown looks an athlete. ' He has got all tho'_ shots, and what ho requires is ptactioo against the very best. This would bring him to the front amongst, players in ihe Dominion. .

Miss Gray is not at her best in a single, being rather weak on the . back line, but . as a double .'player at, the net, with a partner who plays on the base line, there is hardly her equal in New Zealand. The merit of the sensational'win of Misses Travcrs and Wellwood over. Misses' Nunneley and Braithwaite. after the latter pair had one set in, and led 5—3, 40—15, in the second, must be credited to Miss Travers, who, after playing a 1 very off game in the first set, suddenly dropped into her stroke, and simply bould not go wrong. This lady always plays an attractive game, and her sudden striking of form was greeted with much approval by the onlookers. ■

Miss Soed had a 1 most creditable win from Miss Wellwood in the handicap singles. : The latter (owe 15) caught her opponent, (rec. 8) at 35 all, but was unable to get more than one stroke ahead. Deuce ; wascalled four times before Miss Seed took the two stropes in succession, thus winning tho game—44' -42.

Miss Douslin, .the lady who.held the' New Zealand championship;singles in'lß9l; was a competitor at tho Nelson meeting. On a whole, the handica'ppers rather overrated 'tho Wellington players at Nelson, the ladies being the greatest sufferers. The win of. Watkins and Fraser (received 6) in the handicap ; doubles,- was duo to their exceptionally steady play. • ; :

Quito, a number of local : players are going to the popular Masterton tournament, which ' is to lie held on January 22 and 23. Amongst the Wellington players .who intend mating the'trip, are Mrs. Homes, Misses Seed, Sailnay, and Van Staveren, and Messrs. Prouso and Hawkins. Mr. C. H. Broad, of Nelson',, will glso compete. ' . ; "The Taranaki Association' did .well to postpone their meeting, seeing that, have been able to' get such players as. Wilding, Parker, Fisher, Brown, and Poarco, Misses Powdrell, Nunnerley, Cavo,. and' Mrs. Payno to'attend. . Mrs. . Payne has not been, seen in tournament play for. some time,past.; She paTtuots Miss Nutoiiey.' in the handicap tuvl I championship doubles. . Miss Nuiineley and Wilding , play together in tho .combined ' doubles.. • Fisher and MissPowdrell play' together.and Brown, has paired with .Miss. Cave.

Miss Powdrell 'and Miss . Nunnelej; will' hare the' opportunity' of, 'meeting again at New Plymouth. _ Miss. Powdrell will I be : keen 'to ,her title of .Taranaki champion, whilst Miss Nunneley will bo all- eagerness to snatch it from heir; .This match will be of unusual interest, both players.; having their reputations to keep. up. ' ; . -.■■-'■•> 'i ' .Miss E.' Williams, of Wellington,: hasbeen doing very vvpolV. at the Aweklautl towrna-' | mont, having reached tho .final,. where she will meet Miss Gray. ' - 3 I 1 Pearco, of Tomuka, carried off the South ,Canterbury championship at the recent Ashburton meeting j. defeating .' Borrows in the 1 finil,_ Clarko and Eller/:Wellington,:.'distinguished. themselves; : by; beating':. Pearce and M'Caskill, after a three-set match, arid, reaching the semi-final of:the championship'' doubles, these - falling to. ' ■pair, Coss' and Kiver. Miss.Marks, of Dun-' cdin, carried" of the' ladies' .championship singles; : ....... " ■ At f a meeting of the Shield: Committee, it was decided not •; to y play driy inter-club (•matches until : January" 30, thus . \ea,ying players freo for the New Plymouth',,Masterston, and-Dannevirko tournaments.' ■ ,-There seems-to be every possibility:, of aIndies' team being : sent to. Sydney this' year. .Mr,-- S. N;"Doust; of New South :Wales, who attended tho New Zealand meeting] ': has -a :grcat opinion .of our ladies' - play,' and thinks that',' with one' exception, tlio New'Zealandladies are, in singles, much superior to the Sydney players, • whilst 'in .the;, doubles very : close contests could be' expccted. Mr. Doust ■ is already trying to'make arrangements for the New Zealand ladies to bo put up privatoly; With the profwsed team again comes the question, Who will be the sixth lady? Misses Powdrell, Nimnoleyj Ward, Wellwood, Gray, and Travers '. all appear to . have a claim, whilst Misses . Braithwaite and •; C. Williams are too good to. bo passed over without some consideration:,: \ •' \