LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION’S FIRST CHAMPIONSHIPS COMMENCE ON MONDAY Palmerston North, January 6. Commencing on ALomlay, the L’aluierotou North Lawn Tenuis Club will held the first annual championship tournaiiieni conducted by the Maiiawalu Lawn Teuuio Association, which was lonued last year. Incorporated with the association’s championship tournament will be the Palmerston North Lawn Tenuis Club’s tweiity-liflli annual championship and handicap meeting, the combined programme comprising tbo men’s championship and handicap singles and doubles, ladies’ championship and handicap singles and doubles, and combined championship and handicap doubles. The greens committee <f the Palmerston North Club have been carrying out their duties assiduously, and the courts, of which there are 11, are already in fine order, and given suitable weather this year’s tournament should f be productive of as high a standard of tennis as has been forthcoming in previous years. Though entries have not finally closed it is apparent that numerically they will be fewer than last year’s, which constituted a record both in quantity and quality. The number of entries received from players playing within tho jurisdiction of tbo Manawatu Association must be disappointing to the officials of the association, who have worked so untiringly for the good of the game in the Manawatu. Manawatu players appear to bo suffering from an inferiority complex, and are awed by the names of some of tho well-known plavers who enter here, but they should bear in mind that by entering they at least taste the fruits of experience, and that they improve their tennis in tho best possible manner—by competing in tournaments. The absence of E D. Andrews, who is at Cambridge, robs the tournament of a lot of local interest. In addition to holding other titles, Andrews held tho championship singles for some years, losing it to the Victorian Haego in tho final last year 3—6, 6—3, 4--G. Haego is not defending his title. Of tho entrants, E. Bartleet (Auckland) and C. E. Malfroy (Wellington) are in a class of their own. These two players met in tho fourth round of tho New Zealand singles championship at Christchurch recently. Malfroy, by playing superior tenuis, took the first two sets f,_2, B—6, but thereafter his stamina failed him and Bartleet wou_ the remaining three sets G —4, 6—o, 6 —2. Going on. Bartleet met G. Qllivier in the final, which went the full course of five sets, tho last set going to 16 games before Ollivier won tho New Zealand championship singles for tho seventh time. Unless they meet earlier, Bartleet and Malfroy should be the final contestants, and their meeting should be productive of brilliant tennis. Both players are at the top of their form. Another player who will be handy at tho final games is M. L. Lampe (Wanganui). Lampe was also a competitor in the singles at Christchurch, but had the misfortune to strike N. Tl. C. Wilsou (Wellington) in the first round. Ho got to tho third round of the New Zealand Plate, where he was defeated by Walker. Two more Wanganui men who will havo to be contended with are Powdrell and Barkman. The outstanding combination in the men’s doubles is that of Malfroy and Iximpe. Playing in the New Zealand Doubles Championships they won their way through to the semi-finals before they were eliminated by last year’s title-holdters, Knott and Sturt, 4—6, 6—2, I—g, 6—3, 3—6. Bartleet, who, with Laurenson, is this year’s New Zealand doubles champion has not. yet announced his partner, but he may be relied upon io select a partner who, with him, will make a strong pair. McDonald and Hooper (Palmerston North) have played together for years and, in addition, will have the advantage of playing «u their home courts. Powdrell aud Barkman (Wanganui) are another pair of old players who are used to each other’s plav and should work their way into the final rounds. Some excellent players are competing in the ladies’ singles. Miss B. Knight, runner-up to Miss M. Spiers, New Zealand lady singles’ champion, will find some stiff opposition in Misses D. Nicho'ls (Wellington), H. Litchfield, and B. Witherow (Auckland). Miss Nicholls was girl champion here in 1925 and last year she was eliminated by Miss M. Spiers in the semi-finals. Incidentally she is a sister to H. E. aud M. Nicholls, the All Black Rugby representatives. Miss H. Litchfield is top ladv in the Manawatu. and playing against Wairarapa last month she fu'ly extended Mrs. R. H. McMasters *in the singles before she was defeated, 5 —6, 6 —3, 4—6 Partnered with Miss N. Astle in the ladies'’ doubles in the same match, she defeated Mesdames McMasters and Maitland after the Wairarapa ladies had won the first set, and had an advantage of 3 games, and were at match point on their own service in the second set. Miss B. Witherow surprised many last year by winning the ladies’ handicap singles after Miss ITaggittt had a 19 —40 advantage in the final. Miss Witlierow played wreful tennis, and Miss Haggi(t failed to score another point. Miss Witherow taking the game and event, 51—19. Other local ladies who should give good accounts of themselves are Miss N. Astle and the Misses Haggitt. In the ladies’ doubles Misses Knight and Nicholls would appear to stand an excellent chance of emerging victorious, but, here again, they will find strong opposition. Mrs. Hetley and Miss Snow Clark, runners-un to Airs. Melody and Miss Spiers in this event last year, are competing again, as a'so are Misses Myers and Calver (Wanganui), who were eliminated by the winners in the semifinals. Misses H. Litchfield and N. Astle have been playing together considerably this season, and on their home courts are a hard pair to defeat. In the combined doubles Bartleet and Miss Knight are paired, and Malfroy and Miss M. Preedy. Lampe and Miss Myers, the top Wanganui combined pair, are also competing, as well as McDonald and Miss S. Watson. CARTERTON CLUB. Carterton, January 6. The handicaps and drawings for the ladies’ handicap singles of the Carterton Tennis Club for Miss D. Armstrong’s trophy are as follow:—Mrs. Booth (scr.) plays Miss G. Peters (20) ; Miss Smith (23) plays Miss Berrill (P2) ; Miss Henderson (12) plavs Miss C. Peters (.12) ; Mrs Olsen (.18) plavs Mrs. Steel (scr.) ; Mrs Gooden (22) [days Miss 1 Moncrieff (23) , Miss P. Skey (23) plavs Miss Cole (12) ; Miss Vincent (10) plays Miss Barber (23) ; Miss Card (5) plays Mrs Allen (7) : Miss Armstrong (12) plays Mrs. Crawlev (12) ; Mrs Dalgleish (14) plays Miss P. Trapp (20) ; Miss Reed (23) plavs Mrs Candv (19) ; Miss D. Moticrieff (23) plavs Miss C Phillips (23) ; Mrs. Ellis (23) plavs Miss Fisher (10) ; Miss B. Peters (17). a bye.