LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 73, 19 December 1928, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS

(By

“Forehand.")

N.Z. Championship Forecasts. Entries for the main events at tlie New Zealand Championship commencing at Auckland on Boxing Day (December 26) are less than last year, although there is a great advance in the junior events. The falling off in entries for the main events may be attributed to the fact that Christchurch. where tlie championships were held last year, is much more centrally situated than is Auckland. While there is new blood competing, a number of the bestknown Dominion players will be absent, notably G. Ollivier I turned professional), D. G. France, N. R. C. Wilson, I. A. Seay. E. D. Andrews earlier In the year was expected to lie in New Zealand for the championships. but it now transpires that he is remaining in England. He would be a bold man who would wager on tlie winner of the men’s singles. Each of .the seeded men is likely to beat his neighbour, and tlie standard of tennis displayed this season (a most unfavourable one in point of weather); has been too much in and out. Eliminating those who have no earthly chance and -coming down to business, a real problem presents itself. Will the steadiness and fine placing

of Bartiept prove too much for the energy and impetuousness of (’. Angas, who needs only the. restraint of a greater experience to make him a bar to many with preten r sions to championship fame? I think it will. Is .1. Lauronson. Hie steadiest midmost remarkable retriever of seemingly impossible shots in the Dominion, sufficiently up to form to deal with the severe rornev to corner drives (reminiscent of E. D. An? drews). of A. C. Stedman? Personally. I think Stedman will win. A meeting be- | tween C. E. Malfroy. with his steadiness,..*

tine placements, and excellent passing | shots, both backhand and forehand, and N. G. Sturt, with an attacking service, severe ground strokes, and outstanding volleying and smashing should be. worth seeing. I think Malfroy will win. A. L. Franco should have no difficulty -in dealing with Glanvtlle. I think tlie semi: finalists will therefore be E. L. Bartleet. v. A. C. Stedman, and C. E. Malfroy v. A. L. France. Stedman should know Rartleet’s play. and. of course, Malfroy and France . know each other’s game. I rather incline to the belief that Stedman will boat Bnrtleet. and Franco will boat Malfroy, and that in the final A. L. France will bent Stedman.

In the ladies’ singles. I put the last four at Miss Marjorie Macfarlane. Mrs. 11. P. Adams. Miss May Sniers, and Mfss'May Tracy. In the semi-finals I oxnect Mrs. Adams to beat Miss Macfarlane. Miss Spiers to boat Miss Tracy, and. in the final. Mrs. Adams to boat Miss Spiers. Men’s doubles contain a number of scratch pairs. The outstanding pairs will be N. G. Sturt and C. E. Malfroy, E. L. Bartleet and .T. T. Lauronson, and I should not be at all surprised to see Sturt and Malfroy win the event. The ladies* doubles also contains a number of Scratch pairs. The outstanding pairings will he Misses Al. Sniers and AL Wake. Mrs. R. P. Adftms and Miss Al. Tracy. Misses AL and M. Macfarlane. I incline to the belief, that Mrs. Adams and aWss Tracy wPI retain their title. In the mixed doubles, the fact that N. R. C. Wilson is not competing has meant that Wilsonia nd Miss M. Tracy will not defend tholTF title. Miss Traer, however, has a good partner in C. E. Malfroy. Other formidable combinations will be Mrs. Adams and A. L. France. Miss Spiers and C. Angus. Miss D. Nicholls and N. G. Sturt. Miss AL Wake and D. F. Glanvillo. There is such an evenness in the Individual play, and a lack of reliable information on the combined play, that one hesitates to make any forecast at all. I should not he at all surprised to see Mrs. Adams and A. L. France win the event. Ladder Positions In Various Associations. With the approach of the N.Z. Championships. which will commence at Auckland on December 26. the positions of players on the various association ladders are of interest. Following are some of the latest ■ hand. Auckland.-; Alon’s Singles.—E. L. Bartleet, 1; V. It. Johns. 2; E. W. Griffiths, 3: N. Sturt, 4: A. C. Stedman. 5; A. S. Lamb, tj; Al. Alorrison, 7; 11. Entwistle, S; H. , L. Hobson, !); 11. Brinsden. 10; V. N. Hubble. 11; 11. Rowlands, 12; W. G. Watkins, 13; A. K. Turner, 14: C. C. Chalmers, 15. Ladies’*. Singles: Aliss Marjorie Macfarlane, 1; Miss J. Ramsay. 2; Airs. Shroff, 3; Mrs. Scott-Watson. 4: Aliss M. Miller, 5; Miss Marion Alacfarlane, 6; Miss E. E. Allller, 7: Airs. Napier. S: Miss M. Richardson, 9; Miss I). Newton. 10; Aflss Fearnley, l; Aliss Mueller, 12; Aliss Al. Whitelaw, 13 ; Mrs. Warren. 14; Aliss Al. Napier, 13. Aliss \I. Potter, 16. Men’s Doubles.—Bartleet and Robson. 1: Griffiths and Brinsden. 2: Johns and Johns, 3; Lswnb and Horne 4. Turner and Hubble, *»: Morrison and. Rowlauds. 6; Stedman and Stedman, 7; Alartin and Entwistle, S; Potter and AlcKeown. 9: Robinson and Williamson, 10; Gould ai|d Rishworth, 11. Ladies* Doubles. —Alissps Macfarlane. 1; Mrs. Napier and Miss Ramsay, 2; Miss Aliller and Aliss Allller. 3; Miss Whitelaw and Miss Afueller. 4; Aliss Potter and Aliss Fearnlev. 5; Miss Bryant and Aliss Bryant, ;•»: Alrs.’Hetrick and Miss P. Frankham. 7; Aliss Asser and Miss Sturt, 8; Mrs. Warren and Airs. Worsop, 9. Wellington.

The first- ten. players on the Wellington Lawn Tennis. Association’s singles ladder are:—■ ' -i>• Mon.—D. G: France, 1; N. R. C. Wilson, 2: C. E. Malfroy, 3; A. L. France, 4; T. Rhodes-Williams, 5; G. N. T. Goldie. (S: W. I*. Rollings, 7: J. McGill, 8; R. H. Donovan, 9: D. Dobie, 10. Ladies. —Mrs. R. IL Adams, 1: Miss M. Tracv, 2: Mrs. W. ,T. Melody, 3; Miss I>. Rowe, 4: Miss D. Nicholls, 5: Miss E. Rradv. «: Miss M. Williams, 7; Miss M. Whyte, 8. Christchurch. In Christchurch the first, four- men are.— I. A. Seay. C. Angas. K. J. Walker and D. F. Glanyille; .and the ladies: Miss M.

Spiers. Aliss M. Wake, Mrs. M. Beale and Mrs. Y. Pritchett. Wanganui. The time set for playing the opening series of Wanganui Association ladder matches expired on Saturday, but very few players availed themselves of the opportunity of playing, the results to hand being as follows:—

Mon.—Lampe beat Barkman. 7—5. G—l. Ladies. —Misjs Myers beat Mrs. Smith, 6—(), 6—l. the contest being more even than indicated by the scores. , Miss Cox beat Mrs. Newman, 6—l, 6—9.

Several players having withdrawn their names the position of the ladders is now as follows:—

Men.—l M. L. Lampe, 2 N. B. Barkman, 3 J. E. Marshall. 4 J. T. Shaw. 5 K. McFarlane. 6 S. Hawkins, 7 H. Cox, 8 H. Tukere. 9 C. A. Moulder. 10 K. Ilo'unsell. 11 N. Hay-Campbell, 12 Teviotdale, 13 G. Orr.

Ladies.—l Miss M. Myers, 2 Mrs. Smith, 3 Miss M. Purcell.- ,4 .Miss T. B. Cox, 5 .Mrs.' Newman, 6 Mrs. ,T. E. Marshall, 7 Miss I. Fulto.’i. S Miss P, Best. 9.Aliss Z. Elliott. 10 Aliss J. 'lzard, 11 Aliss H. Franklin.

Tuyanaki. , Oil. the New Plymouth'Club’s ladder tho positions are:—

Men. —Billiards 1, Strombom .2. Ellis Hine 4. Griffiths 5. Wagstaff ti. Judd 7. Ladles.—Miss Rundle L Miss Brewster 2. Miss Simpson 3. . Miss Hirst 4. Miss Shaw 5. Miss Blundell fl. Miss L. Thompson 7.

The Taranaki team to play Wanganui for the Cliristiu Cup. last week was as to Hows:—

Men.—G. M His (liawerat, G. Ellis (New Plymouth!. L. Borg (Stratl’onll. A. H .Richards.. (New Plymouth). C. Strombom (New Plymouth). MacGregor tKaponga) IJmerpeney: H. Wills (Hawera). Ladies.—Mrs. Haase (New Plymouth), Miss Cave (Elthanu. Mrs. Weston (Strat■forti).’ Mrs. Borg (Stratford)-. Miss Nutting . I Inglewood). Miss Pease (Hawera): emorrgencios. Mrs. McLean (Rotokare), Mrs. Rudgo (Stratford). The secretary of the Taranaki Association is Mr, C. G. Eiiis. at one time a memher of Brougham Hill and Victoria College Chibs, and an active’player of Wellington.

Tlieiold tradition is being maintained in tile faet that A. Dickie, seiiool champion. Is a son of Mr. C. J. Dickie, so well known In New Zealand tennis circles. Tlie boy, it is stated, plays with remarkable coolness. and his anticipation at times is wonderful, being quite equal to that of an experienced player.

New Zealand Title Holders. The following are file present holders of Dominion championship titles:— Men’s Singles.—G. Ollivier (Canterbury). Men's Doubles;— E. 1,. . Bartleet (Auckland), and J. T. Lauronson (Waikato). Ladies’ Singles.—Miss M. Spiers (Canterbu r.v). Ladies’ Doubles.-—Mrs. Adams and Miss M. Tracy (Wellington). Combined Doubles.—Miss Tracv and N R. C. Wilson (Wellington). Boys’ Singles.—lL A. Barnett (Canterbury). Girls’ Singles.—Miss N. Fleming (Otago). New Zealand Plate.—C. Angas (Canterbury).

Wangunui Tournament. I have received a programme of the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association’s annual championship and handicap tournament to be held on the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Club's courts, where ten excellent grass courts are available, on January 1, 2,3, and following days If necessary. 'All entries, accompanied by entrance Lee, must be in the hands of the hou. secretary, Mr. A. W. .1. Peacock, box 234. Wanganui, bv Thursday,. December 27. Tlie draw will be made in the Education Board office on December 28, at 8 p.m. Play will commence at I) a.m. on Tuesday, January 1, and there will be no - adjournment for lunch (luneh being obtainable on the ground), although visiting players will be allowed to go to their hotels if possible. Any player not ready to play when called upon will be scratched. To facilitate the organisation and control of the tournament, players entering for both championship and handicap events are asked to enter with the same partuer. Davis championship balls only will be used throughout the tournament.

The men’s championship singles and the doubles are each best of three advantage sets, the finals to be best of five advantage sets. The holder of the men’s singles title is M. L. Lampe, and of the doubles, Al. Ij. Lampe and J. E. Alarshall. The ladies’ championship singles, and the doubles, are best of tliree sets, third set advantage, the semi-finals and finals best of three, advantage sets. The holder of the ladies’ singles title is Airs. W. J. Melody, and of the doubles. AHsses Calver and Al. Alyers. The combined championship doubles is best of three sets, third set advantage, and the semi-finals and final best of three advantage sets. The present holders are AL L. Lampe and Aliss AL Alyers. All the handicap events, men’s singles and doubles, ladies’ singles and doubles, and combined doubles are best of seventeen games. Alornlng and afternoon tea will be provided free to competitors.

Inter-Club Matches. Very wisely the management committee of the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association determined against play on the association courts at Miramar last Saturday. In consequence the interclub matches were postponed until after the Wellington Provincial Tournament, which commences on January 19. Following are the positions of tlie clubs in their respective grades to date:— Seniors.—Brougham Hill A. 2 wins. 0 losses; Wellington, 2 wins, 0 losses; Newtown, 1 win, 1 loss; Thorndon. 1 win, 1 loss: Brougham Hill B, 0, wins. 1 loss; ’Varsity, 0 wins, 1 loss; Miramar Grounds. 0 wins, 2 losses. Junior Grade.—Newtown, 2 wins, 0 losses: Wellington, 2 wins, 0 losses”; Brougham Hill, 1 win, 1 loss: Lyall Bay; 1. win, 1 loss; Miramar Grounds. 1 win, 1 loss: ’Varsity, 1 win, 1 loss; Mitchelltown. 0 wins, 2 losses; Seatoun, 0 wins, 2 losses. . Third Grade. —Brougham Hill, 2 wins, f) losses: Island Bay. 2 .wins, 0 losses: Newtown. 2 wins, 0 losses; Roseneatli, 2 wins. 0 losses: Lyall Bay. 1 ■ win. 1 loss; Rongotai. 1 win, 1 loss; Talavera. 1 win. 1 loss: Trinity. 1 win, 1 loss; Victoria, 1 win. 1 loss: Thorndon Normal. 0 wins. 1 loss: Miramar Grounds. 0 wins. 2 losses: Rawhlti, 0 wins, 2 losses;. University. 0 wins, 2 losses. Fourth Grade. —Brougham Hill. 3 wins, 0 losses: Seatoun. 3 wins. 0 losses; Wadestown. 3 wins. 0 losses: Newtown. 2 wins, 1 loss; Rawhiti. 2 wins, 1 loss; St. Peter's. 2 wins. 1 loss: Victoria, 2 wins, 1 loss: Lyall Bay. 1 win. 2 losses: Talavera. 1 win. 2 losses: Thorndon Normal. 1 win. 2 losses; University. 1 win. 2 losses: Maranui. 0 wins, 3 losses: Puru. 0 wins. 3 losses; Miramar Grounds, 0 wins, 3 losses.

Always play with Ayres’ Championship Stitchless Tennis Ball—used by all the best players. Selected as the official ball of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association this season. British and best. —-Advt.