LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 178, 16 April 1923, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

HARD-COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS WELLINGTON CLUB FINALS Last Saturday marked the conclusion of the tennis season for practically ail the Wellington clubs. The Wellington Club signified its official closing by getting off ihe majority 'f its championships, while tho two remaining events of tho "Wellington Hard-court Championship were played on the Brougham Hill courts. The weather for tho whole of the day was excellent. Wilson and Miss Tracy asserted their right to the title <f combined hardcourt champions for the 1922-23 season, by defeating Williams and Miss M. Williams, 6 —l, 6 —o. This match had to be postponed from tho previous week, when Wilson and Miss Tracy had won the first set 6 —l. The continuation of the game requires but little description. The defeat of the Williams combination was due to tho consistently sound overhead work of both Wilson and Miss Tracy. Williams and Miss Williams had little difficulty in dealing with their opponents’ ground strokes, but were all at sea with the smashers. Great credit is due to Miss Williams for the splendidly steady game she played. ‘ Tho Handicap Combines, won by Wilson and Miss Tracy, ought to have been won by Williams and Miss Williams, in receipt of a handicap of 12. At one stage the losers had a 17 points lead. This was largely due to the excellent lobbing of Miss Williams, who for more than half the game compelled tho opponents to keep well back from the net’ and thus obviate tho danger from smashes, of which they had had quite a surfeit in tho championship. Whether the strain was beginning to tell is not known, but the lobs less frequently found tho back line, and were often killed by Wilson’s heavy smashing, or tffiarplv angled bv Miss Tracy’s accurate volleying, while Williams was timing his shots badly, and mis-hitting his attempts at smashing. Wilson and Miss Tracy’s total commenced to soar until they were equal at 37 all, and they then ran out winners at 50—43. The following arc the results:— Combined Championship Doubles. — Wilson and Miss Tracy beat Williams and Miss M. Williams, 6 —l, 6—o. . Combined Handicap Doubles.—WilWilson and Miss Tracy beat Williams and Miss M. Williams (12), 50—13. Tho following is a complete list of the.finals of the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association’s Easter tournament hard court championships concluded last Saturday:—

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. Men’s Singles.—G. N. T. Goldie. Men’s Doubles. —Goldie and Wilson. Combined Doubles. —Wilson and Miss Tracy. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Tracy. Ladies’ Doubles.—Mesdames Parkinson and Evison. HANDICAP EVENTS.

Men’s; Singles.—T. S. • Williams. Men’s Doubles.—Goldie and Wilson. Combined' 'Doubles.—Wilson and Miss. Tracy. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Tracy. Ladies’ Doubles.—Mesdames Parkinson and’Evison.lT’ . r " ‘

WELLINGTON CLUB There was a good attendance of spectators for the final events of' the Wellington Club championships and the official closing of the season. The only event still outstanding is the final of the ladies’ singles, when Mrs. Witcombo will meet Mrs. Melody. Mrs. Witcombe asserted her right to that distinction by defeating Mrs. Cornelius, 6 —4, 3—6, 6—3, after an interesting match, in which steadiness was the dominating feature. Defeating Wright and Mrs. Witcombe, 6—3, 6 —2, in tho semi-final of the combined championship, Melody and Mrs. Melody won the final by defeating lorns and Mrs. 4 Parkinson, 6—3, 6—4. ' - In-the first set of tho semi-final. Wright and Mrs. Witcombe against Melody and Mrs' Melody. 2 all was called by both men winning their services, and the two ladies losing theirs. Three all was called by the men again winning their services. Mrs. Melody then won her service, and Mrs. Witcombe not being able to follow suit, Melody and Mrs. Melody led 5 —3, to win the set 6 —3. Two all was again called in tho second set, when Melody and Mrs. Melody, taking the next four games, not, however, without a struggle, won the set, 6 —2, and the match, 6 —3, 6—2.

lorns and Mrs. Parkinson, although beaten by Melody and Mrs. Melody in the final, put up a good fight. Their policy was one of safety as against a certain aggressiveness on the part of tho winners, who dealt with weak returns with great effectiveness, especially Melody, whoso smashing from tho pet was a contributing factor in the win. After the score was 2 —4 against them, lorns and Airs. Parkinson drew level at 4 all, only to lose the next two games and the first seb, 6—4. In the second set, Melody and Mrs. Melody established a lead of 2 —l, but fighting hard. lorns and Mrs. Parkinson were level at 2 all and 3 all. Winning the next three games, Melody and Mrs. Melody won set and match, 6—4, 6—3. The following are results of the various competitions in the club: —

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. Men’s single: N. B. Barkman. Men’s doubles: N. B. Barkman and W. lorns. Ladies’ doubles: Mrs. Melody and Mrs. Barknian. Combined doubles: W. J. and Airs. Alelody. HANDICAP EVENTS. Men’s doubles: E. AV. W’right and J. Pigou. Ladies’ doubles: Mesdames Alelody and Bree. Combined doubles: W. J. and Mrs. Melody. The trophies were presented to tho successful competitors by Mr. A. J. Foniie, chairman of the committee and a vice-president of the club. BROUGHAM HILL CLUB The summer season of the Brougham Hill Tennis Club was brought to. a close on Saturday, when the trophies were presented to tho successful competitors in the club matches. INTER-CLUB MACTHES Air. J. A. B. Howe desires to thank all club secretaries for the interest and attention they have given in coiition with tho inter-club matches, which has made possible thoir successful running. COVERED COURTS CHAMPIONSHIP London, April 13. The semi-final of the covered courts championship took place at the Queen’s Chib. Wheatley beat Tlehnore, 6—4, 6—o, 6—3. Fyzee, after a terrific struggle, beat Alisliu, 6 —3, 3—6, 7—5, ] —6, B—4.8 —4. Critics declare that the victory of Wheatley, who is only 23 years of age, marks an epoeli in the history of English tennis. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.