LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1037, 28 January 1911, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(Bl SIDE-LISE.y

Manawatu Annual Lawn Tennis Tournament at Palmerston, North, February 17 and 18. Entries close February 11. Christchurch v. Wellington, This match, which takes place to-day, is naturally creating much interest, but, if anything, more this year, than formerly. This is largely on account of the fine form shown by some of the participants in recent tournaments. The following have been picked to represent Wel-lington-.—Messrs.. J. C. Peacock, !•'. M. B. Fisher, It. N. K. Swanston, H. W. Brown, E. Salmond, G. Sniythe, and Misses Travers, Nunneley, Williams, and . 51. Simpson. Before this team was finally picked, Fisher has been called to Christchurch on business, as had been feared, and so will not be ablo to play. His place will probably be taken by Hawkins, Laishley, or, why not, say,, a young player like WaTd or Eller? Despite the absence of Fisher, this will be a very strong team, and should hold its own against any team in New Zealand. The Canterbury team consists oi Messrs. G. Ollivier, W. Goss, W. Kiver, W. Pearse, A. Borrows, K White-Parsons, and Mesdames Ballantyne, Berry, Misses Cotton and C. Hay. Of the Wellington team, Peacock of course takes nride of place, with Swanston nest, liwanston has not yet cmito struck form, though he may have done so by this morning. Salmond and Smythe are solid, and will be certain to give a good account of themselves.

Of the ladies, Miss Travers, like Peacock, plays first, though it is fairly, certain that Miss Nunneley is the better player, and would not lose tho New Zealand championship on' present form. Misses Williams and Simpson have both proved their worth in doubles, and, in ■singles, may be certain of the full confidence of Wellington's supporters. The match will be played on the Thorndon courts, which are in excellent condition. Is the Reference to Peacock? Apropos of the match to-day, P. A. Vaile in his, "Lawn Tennis Guide," in comparing Australasian players with English, writes:—"Without a shadow of hesitation I can soy that tho finest smash and back-hand drive, I know are played by a New Zealand player, who himself "lias no. idea how good these strokes are when judged by the highest standard in the world." Presumably .Peacock is the player referred to. May we seo some successful examples. The Fine Provincial Tournament. The meeting at Masterton was notable for, the excellent play generally, tho good condition qf tho courts—and. the heat. The latter factor probably was responsible for Pavkes's win over Fisher in tho semi-final for the Singles Championship. The thermometer registered 80deg. in tho shade on Monday, and S3 deg. in tho shade oh Tuesday, when the ahove match was played. Fisher was visibly discomfited while PaTker revelled in the scorching sun. The latter played a great ' game, serving very strongly, and driving with' great precision, while his placing was perfect. Tho match provided great excitement for the onlookers, and Fisher probably did better than he would, have done against Ollivier. It was a case of Greek meeting Greek, the styles .of play being more nearly alike, each winning aces from short shots and clever, work. After Fisher had taken the second set, Parker set to work, and, driving well, won at 6—4, although his opponent had rallied when the game stood at 3—o, and won" four consecutive' games. ...-.' In the •• final, Parker completely outplayed Ollivier, passing' him'when commg,; 'UD, to.tke-nei,in;£he simplets fashion, ;bjit'Jthis!'miiSt*,be placed; to the credit of .Barker, -arid ; v not to'- the discredit o£ the iC^ti^y*?pttyer^oiK

Parker's Hundred Championships,

This constitutes Parker's century in championships,-which is certainly; a{treat record. Ho is too good a general for most of • our players, and evidently quite understands all the vagaries 6£ a tennis ball, and whatever agency is at the back of it. • Ollivier has Droved ' himself a very solid player. He played all round Cox in the third round. Cox' certainly was not in too good form, but this will .not detract much from Ollivier's win, the latter's nlay being clean and forceful. Swainson's win over Harold Brown was the result of sheer steadiness. The latter player; while hustling, was not too sure, and, although; he'took the second set, he could not face .Swainson's driving. -

There were- many good points in the rest of rthe- singles' matches. Aitken, though beaten by Bonnington, played a sparkling, game. . The ' Cox-Aitken r. Parker-Brown double, was' also notable for Aitken's brilliancy, and the win' by the first pair, was deserved, and highly popular. Miss Nunneley at Her Best. Miss Nunneley lias now won tho cup for the> Singles Championship outright, having (with this success) wou it four times in all,- and the last three times in succession. She has thus doubly won the trophy. .. There is little doubt that at the present time Miss Nunneley is tho best lady player in New Zealand, perhaps even in Australasia. Her later wins over Miss Travers leave no doubt of. her spu.eriority, and it can only be put down to anxiety and ."nerves" that she should have lost to the present champion at all. This also was a possible reason why sho. lost to Miss Powdrell last year . Miss Travers does not stand the rush of tournaments too well, but was certainly a pjod second Jo Miss Nunneley, winning her matches straight. ' Tho defeat of Miss Wellwood-was a very meritorious performace. Wellington Players in the Handicaps, Wellington players were very successful in th.e handicaps, M. E. Denriiston reaching the finals, and being only put out by Bonnington—after defeating Swainson and J. L. Blundell—in the singles." Laurence and Kean won the doubles, beating first the Parkers, who' were picked to win, and beating Ollivier and Goss in'.the final. The Brougham Hill pair played together very well, and won on tactics, proving altogether a very solid proposition. Kean was well in in all the events for which ho entered. Miss Simpson's triumnh in the singles was ■ splendidly fought "out all through tho several rounds, and was well deserved. •• Pctone again is proving a capital nursery for real players. Misses 0. Caverhill and L. Walters won tho ladies' event in great style, and with plenty to spare in each match. Interclub Competitions. The following are the fixtures for next Saturday, February 4:— Men's A grade: Thorndon v. Brougham Hill, at Thorndon; Muritai v. Wellington 11, at Wellington. Men's B grade, second round: Brougham Hill I v. Brougham Hill 11, at Day's Bav, on Courts Nos. 7 and B—Victoria College 11 v. Lower Hutt, at Lower Hutt; Petono v. Victoria College I, at Day's Boy, on courts Nos.. 5 and 6; Trinity, a bye." Men's C grade: Kilbirnie v. Brougham Hill 11, at Day's Bay, on No. 4 court; Brougham Hill I v. IChandallah, at Khandallah; Muritai v. Lower Hutt, at Dav's Bay, on No. 9 court; Oriental v. Trinity Church, at Day's Bay, on No. 10 court; Pctohev. St. John's, at Day's Bay, on No. 12 court; Victoria College, a bye. Men's D grade: Victoria College I v. Brougham Hill, at Victoria College; Oriental V. Victoria College 11, at Day's Bay, on court No. 11; Johnsonvillo v. Trinity, at Trinity Church.

Ladies' B grade: Victoria College v. Petone, at Pctone; Brougham Hill I v. Brougham Hill 11, at Brougham Hill; Trinity, a bye. Ladies' C grade: Trinity v. Pctone, at Petone; Johnsonville v. Brougham Hill, at Johnsonville; Oriental v. lulbirnie, at Day's Bay, on court No. 1; St. John's v. Khandallahj at St. John's; Victoria College,' a bye. Tlieseimatches wero to have been played to-day, but so many players had intimated that they wished to see the CliristchurcliWcllington match that the management deemed it necessary to further adjourn them.

The- following clubs in the Wairarapa are starting a competition ininiediatelv, viz., Pahiatua, Eketahuna, Mastcrton, ami Mangapakeha,