LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1038, 30 January 1911, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

WELLINGTON V. CANTERBURY. HONOURS FAIRLY EVEN. On the Thomdon courts on Saturday, Canterbury and Wellington tried conclusions at lawn tennis. Tlio courts wero in excellent order, and the weather was all that could be desired. Wellington wero without the services of Fisher and Brown, and, it may be fairly said, by their absence suffered defeat in tho male division. Tho two substitutes, Young and Didsbiiry, were not qui to in tho same class as those they were called upon to meet. Combining, all tho totals, men's and ladies', the figures worked out:—Wellington, 10 rubbers, 19 sets; Canterbury, 5 rubbers, 15 sets. The men's figures were:—Canterbury, 5 rubbers, 13 sets; Wellington, 4 rubbers, 8 sets; and tho ladies':—Canterbury, no rubbers, 2 sets; Wellington, 0 rubbers, 11 sets. .Therefore the 'Wellington ladies defeated their opponents, while Canterbury men beat tho local males. ■ Ono of tho best games of tho day was the doubles between Ollivier and Goss (Canterbury) and Peacock and Swanston (Wellington). Thoso who knew were of the opinion that it was better tennis than any that was witnessed at tho' recent Masterton matches. Other hard games were played, notably the doubles between Kiver" and Borrows (Canterbury) and Smytho and Salmond (Wellington), which, after the locals had won tho first set, went, fought all the way, to Canterbury. Another feature was tho defeat of Peacock by Ollivier.' In the ladies' doubles, Miss Nunncley nnd Miss Simpson, tho Masterton .champions, had little difficulty in defeating Mrs. Ballantyne and Jliss Cotton. SCORES, Tho scores wero as follow:— Men's Doubles, Ollivier and Goss (Canterbury) v. Peacock and Swanston (Wellington), C—4, 2—C, 5—7; Kiver and Borrows (Canterbury) v. Smytho and Salmond (Wellington), 4—G, B—6, o—7 j Purse and WhiteParsons (Canterbury) v. Young and Didsbury (Wellington), G—2, G—o. Men's Singles, 1 Ollivier (Canterbury) v. Peacock (Wellington); G—3, C —4. Goss (Canterbury) v. Swanston (Wellington), G—2, 3—G, 2—G. Kiver (Canterbury) v. Smythe (Wellington), G—3, I—G, 3—G. Borrows (Canterbury) v. Salmond (Wellington), 4—G, B—lo. Purse (Canterbury) v. Young (Wellington), G—l, G—l. White-Parsons (Canterbury) y. Didsbury (Wellington), 6—3, G—l. Ladies' Doubles, Sirs. Ballantyne and Jliss Cotton (Canterbury v. Misses Nunneley and Simpson (Wellington), 2—G, I—G. Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Lord (Canterbury) v. Misses Travers and Williams (Wollingon), o—6, G —l, 4 —G. Ladies' Singles. Mrs. Ballantyne (Canterbury) v. Miss Travers (Wellington), I—G, 2—G. Mrs. Berry (Canterbury) v. 'Jliss Nuuuoley (Wellington), I—G, O—G. Jliss Cotton (Canterbury) v. Jliss Williams (Wellington), 7—3—G, I—G. Mrs. Lord (Canterbury) v. Miss Simpson' (Wellington), 4—G, O—G.

Peacock, in his match with _ Ollivier, was certainly o'ut ?f form, and it was not until well on in tho second set that he began to take any hold ot him with his lobs. Ollivicr's scrvico did not secrn to bother liim. The points that told against him wcro mostly iiis owii mistakes. The net fcorlc of both players was good, tho winner being very consistent all round. In the Goss-Swanston match, Goss, tho elder player, won the first set by sheer good generalship. Swanston made some mistakes, which would account for the disparity in s tlio scores in that set. In tlio; succeeding sets he quickly got into, form, and although the scores read much, in his favour, ho fcy no.means had everything all his own way.- . Kiver, in his match with, Smythe, seemed to make no'ra'ce; of "it" with the Wellington .man at the start. His hard, clean returns seemed' Unplayable to Smythe. However, Smytho ' canio along doggedly, and quito reversed matters, absolutely turning the tables on his opponent wit]} his delightful placing. His win was loudly applauded. Salmond defeated Borrows (Canterbury) after two slashing sets. Both played tho. back-line game, nnd thero seemed very little difference between tho men.

The other two'games in the men's singles need little comment, though Young put up a very fair fight against tlio Canterbury representative, Purse. The only game in the Ladies' Singles with any real fight was that between Miss Cotton (Canterbury) and Jliss Williams. It was full of incident, especially in the first set, which Miss Cotton won at 7—5. Her opponent then began to assert herself. All tho other games were comparatively easy wins for tho local ladies. In tho match Kiver and Borrows v. Smytho and Salmond, Borrows played with clever tactics, and led from the start, Kiver being bright, but risky. Tlio Wellington pair were very solid. Tho net work of all four was brilliant, and the game at times was most exciting. Salmond was safe all through. It has already teen said that the event in which Goss and Ollivier went down to Peacock and Swanston was the best of tho day, and tho scores will show how the play went. Ollivicr's service stood liim in good stead, but the winners got in clever placing. There , were one or two magnificent rallies that brought out loud applause. Goss,' though always after the ball, seemed to tiro-a little towards the finish.

. Three cheers, were given at the conclusion of the match for tho ladies who had supplied tea and refreshments during the day. ■