LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 770, 19 March 1910, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

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NOETH ISLAND TOUENAMENT FIXTURES. Wellington provincial and junior championships, on the Thonidon and Brougham. Hill Club's Courts, on March 25,'26, and 28. Entries close to-day. t - : Wangauui championships and handicaps at Wanganui on March 25, 26, and 28. Hawke's Bay championships and handicaps, at Napier, on March 26 and 28. Waikato championships and handicaps, at Hamilton,' on March 25, 26, and 28.

The final in the Shield Gr,ad» Competition was played off between the Wellington and I'horndon teams on the Thorndon Club's courts last week, ,under excellent conditions. The result was an easy victory for the Thorndonites by five rubbers to one. The first double' between Peacock and Miss Nunneleyand Fisher and Miss Travers provided the most interesting and the closest match. The latter pair started badly—Fisher continually netting and Mise Travers lifting most of her returns out. "Fourlove" was called against them before they found their game, and then they took the next five games in succession, and ovenhially led at 6—5, but, by an arrangement between the players, an advantage set was agreed upon, and the set finished in favour of the Thorndijn pair at B—6. The second set saw nothing above the average, and onded in Thorndon's favour at G— i. Peacock was very successful with his cross-court chop strokes, and Miss Travers had many hopeless attempts to got up to them. Fisher was son'ing well, bnt his smashing was decidedly off. The second double between Swanston and Miss Batham and Blair and Miss Williams was a better exhibition of the combined game. These four knew how to play a combined double, but Miss Williams tried to introduce a new feature in the third set by driving, dt Swanston'at the net. It makes pretty play to beat the man nt tho net, but the man would have to be weaker than Swanston is before the result could call forth applause. In the first set Blair and Miss Williams niudo few mistakes, and quickly secured a lead of four— Kicam. The* Swanston became more aj-

grossivo, but failed to secure more than three games. Swanston and Miesßathamcombined splendidly in the second and third sets, which they won, both at 6—2. Smythe, partnered with Miss Marohant, after losing tho first sot, completely outgoneralled Brown and Miss Dimant in the two succeeding sets. Miss Dimant played a good defensive game, but was asked to take too much. Salmood and Miss Cock, in defeating Young and Mis. Holmes, won the only rubber oredited to the losers. The first two games went to the Thorndon pair, but the next six. went against them. In the second set Thorndon led at 5-2, but by safe and' sound play the Wellington pair scored the next four games and match. The last two doubles were easy wins for Thorndon, this being accounted for by the weakness of the Wellington ladies who, • although they played pluckily, me not quito up to senior form. The two matches in the pennant grade resulted m Newtown winning from Vioai^ in Brougham HiU defeating Eilbirnio by six 6ete to three. Martin played best for the losers, defeating Amos in the single, and partnered with Drumniond, defeating Edwarda and Amos. Mis 3 Williams again played a good game, winning both the single and the double. Miss Williams is one of Brougham Hill's most improved players. It has been aakei how it happened that the first set in the first double in the lliorndon-Wellington match was played an advantage set. It appears ■ that the p ayera agreed between themselves to play advantage sets. Evidently they wero ignorant of the rules which govern these mtor-olub matches although the same players have played through the season under the same rules. Only one set of rules was framed, and they were intended to control all players, irrespective of class or grade, The set in question was, under those rules, won by the Wellington pair at G-5, and, in the writer's opinion, no agreement between players can over-ride a

The mter-provincial match between Auckland smd Taranaki was played last Saturday on the Eden and Epsom courts, m Auckland, and resulted) in a win for the Aucklandens Dy ten rubbers to rix rubbers. The Taranaki-team was not a> fully representative one, but was strong enough to put up a good fight. Theee associations have played live matches, of which three have been won by Taranaki and two by Auckland. There ie some doubt as to whether any further matches will be played between these associations, owing to difficulties that arise in arranging suitable dates for the fixture. Miss Powdrell met Miss Gray in the first ladies single, in lost Saturday's match, and won 6-26H1 In . the doubles Misses Powdrell and Broweter were defeated by Misses Gray and G. Gorrie, 7—5, Miss Gray still upholds her reputation aa a fine double player. In a recent match between the Waverley and Patea Clubs, S. Powdrell met P. Wybourne (who has competed in Wellington tournaments) in a six game advantage set, and, after a fine same, won at 19-17. . • .

L. Hawkine will be competing in the Waikato tournament at Easter. Ho will be partnered in the doubles with C. F. Quinnoll, who was transferred from Wellington to Auckland last week.

The Australasian. Association's Committee of Management,.has decided that America and Great Britain be asked to play the preliminary .tie, or first round, in the Davis .Cup contest as soon as possible, so that the winners of the right to challenge may meet the Australasian team in New Zealand in December,next. Of the many matters, dealing with the management of tournaments, that come up for criticism at times, none is more important than the practice of some tournament management committees in "faking" or "arranging" the drawings for the events. It is stated by a southern writer that the entries for the ■ Otggo Association's last Easter tournament were divided into two classes, and the weaker players were drawn against the stronger players in the first round. This practice is neither sportsmanlike nor in the best interests of the game. ■'A little latitude might be '■ allowed in the drawing, so that club companions, who have travelled some distance to a tournament, would not meet each other in the opening round of an event, but, beyond that, the drawing should be carried out. strictly m accordance with the Lawn Tennis Association's rule governing this matter,' which allows for no distinction or classification whatever. We all know the arguments that are. advanced by' those who would justify such practices. It occurs in our own city clubs, and, in one case, even the handicap evonts are arranged to such an extent, and;with such effect, that one is tempted to think that the handicaps may be treated in a like manner. ■ . -. ■•. . . ... .•-■:■ .- ;