AROUND THE TENNIS COURTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 50, 22 November 1932, Page 15

AROUND THE TENNIS COURTS

Comment on Players: Results of Club Matches

INTERCLUB COMPETITIONS AT MIRAMAR

(By

“Vantage.”)

Among tennis players Miramar has a bad reputation for wind, and on Saturday it lived up to the worst that has been said of it. Competitors in the interclub matches played on the association’s courts had a very unenviable experience. Good tennis, or anything approaching it, was impossible under the circumstances, and many a shot aimed at one corner of the court found its mark in the opposite corner; with disconcerting results for both striker and opponent. With the ball steering such an erratic course, accurate volleying in particular was very difficult to achieve.

similarly in the second game of earn sej. Partners shall receive the service alternately throughout each game, and tJie order of receiving the service having been decided, shall not be altered during the set. but It may be changed at the beginning of a new set. The explanation of this rule is that the receiving formation of a doubles team may not be changed during a set. Any change must be made at the beginning of a new set. Partners must receive throughout each set on the same sides of the court which they originally select when the set begins. The first server is not required to receive in the right court; he may agree with his partner to select either side, but be must hold this side to the end of the set. Christmas Tournament.

Players in the first division women’s match between Brougham Hill nnd Thorndon had .to put up with the added discomfort of clouds of dust and grit blown about from the nearby paths. As was to be expected with two past New Zealand champions in Mrs. H. M. Dykes and Miss Doris Howe playing second and third respectively to the club champion. Mrs. D. G. France, the strong Brougham Hill team won all the singles. The only result ever in doubt was that of the match between the first players, Mrs. France winning nn even game against Mrs. Whatley, f—s. G—s. When the rain came down at Miramar on Saturday afternoon a decisive result had been reached in only three matches, and the others will have to be completed at some later date. It should be possible to finish most of them during nn evening from, say, six to eight o'clock. Ranking Matches.

The Wellington Lawn Tennis Association has arranged an attractive programme for its annual championship and handicap tournament, to be held on the association’s courts at Miramar on December 26, 27, 28 and 29. The championship men's singles, men’s doubles, > women’s- singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, have each been divided into a first and second grade. There will also be a boys’ and a girls’ championship singles, making twelve championship events in all. Handicap events will be the men’s singles and doubles, women s singles and doubles, and nuxed doubles. Second grade events will not be open to players of recognised senior status. As a guide, it has been decided that all players competing in first and second division interclub matches shall be deemed to be of senior status. Players who enter for six events will be allowed a rebate of 4/- on their entry will close with the hon. secretary, Mr. H. N. Burns, at 5 P-m. on Wednesday, December 21. Wairarapa Association.

The first six men to compete in the ranking matches arranged by the Wellington association hare been chosen, and several games were plaved nt Miramar during the week-end. The association is now calling for applications from those who wish to compete in a second scries of matches which will be arranged between the next eight pinvers to be selected. These matches will bo under the sunervision of Mr. W. W. Sterling. Details of the scheme, which were finalised nt last evening’s meeting of the management committee, will be found in another column. A Point in Doubles Play. “Striker Out,” of Palmerston North, has submitted the following problem for a correct ruling:— I am engaged in a game of doubles, and our opponents have elected to have first service. My partner and I have agreed that. I take the first receive. ■ Consequently, I take up the receiving position on the right-hind side of the court,'my partner receiving, of course, on the left-hand side of the court. Are we obliged to keep the same positions for receiving throughout the whole set, or is it correct that the player that has just finished serving takes the firjst receive in the following game? Fie says: “It is a very simple thing, but among those whose opinions I have sought on the matter, there appears to be no degree of certainty.” It still seems to be customary, especially among junior members of some clubs, for the player -who has just finished serving to receive first in the next game. The position. however, is fully covered by Bule 32 of the Official Code of the International Lawn Tennis Federation, which states:— . . The pair who have to receive the service In the first game of each set shall decide which partner shall receive the first service, and the opposing pair shall decide

The Wairarapa Lawn Tennis Association, whose annual meeting’ will be neld in Masterton this evening, seems assured of a successful season. It is in a strong financial position, and the number or clubs affiliated is, steadily increasing. Five new clubs joined up last season, and applications for affiliation for the presen season have been received from two more —Kahutara and Carrington Park. Players in the district are fortunate m having available the services of a residential professional coach, Mr. E. A. BmarnHis influence has already had a „ood effect in raising the' standard of p ln L . The association has been allotted tiie North Island championships, which will be held in conjunction with the Mairarapa annual tournament on January 21, 23, 24, and 25.

Miramar Tennis Club. The membership of the Miramar Tennis Club shows a considerable increase, the total now nearing the 200 mark, rhe general standard ot play shows a vast improvement on last year, mainly due to the wise action of the management committee in procuring the services of a professional coach to give lectures and to attend at the courts during certain weekends. A series of lectures have been arranged for this season, the second of which was given by Mr. T. S. M illiams last week. One of the club’s keenest players is

I Mrs. L. Goodwin, but her style is not ou a par with her keenness. Her forehand , drive is played with racket held below the wrist, and consequently lacks firmness. All her strokes could do with more force. Lately she has attempted net play, and is becoming confident and efficient in that position. Mrs. H. Johnston has probably the best style in the club, and has good length and direction with her forehand, though her backhand is rather weak. She volleys well and can greatly assist her partner in doubles play. She is an adept with a twphanded half-volley. Miss L. Parker is a steady type of player, with plenty of determination. Her forehand lacks snap, and is hit with a downward trajectory, resulting in a large proportion of netted balls. She is a valuable doubles player, and plays a good game at the net.

order of the leading players in the vicepresident’s competition at Brougham Hill. At present there is only three points difference covering the twelve leaders.

Dorman was well ou his service in his handicap match with Wilkinson. He served a remarkable number of aces.. Brierley’s performance in returning almost impossible shots won him his match against Hesketh. Miss Warsaw played well in the middle of her game with Mrs. D. G. France, but she began nervously, and toward the end tired badly. Following are the results of matches played to date : — Vice-President’s Competition.—Leading women: Miss Williams, Miss Wild, first, equal; Miss Everton, Miss M. Howe, second, equal; Miss M. Warsaw, Miss D. Howe, third, equal. Leading men: V. Dixon: first: A. D. Long, G. E. Button, second, equal; K. Hilton, N. Patchett, M. Carroll, third, equal. Leading umpire: It. T. Brierley.

The youngest member of the club is Miss Joan Halstead, a primary school pupil, and very promising tennis player'. Partnered with Dingle in the mixed handicap doubles, she put up a very creditable • performance in the match against Talbott and Miss Park.

Men’s handicap singles: C. F. K. Hesketh (18) beat E. C. Wearue (24), 50—18; H. S, Wilkinson (10) beat W. Dorman (26). 50—42; R. T. Brierley (28) beat C. F. K. Hesketh (18), 50—38: D. Livlngsjone (10) beat A. L. France (owe 20), 50—33; V. Dixon (26) beat W. Ralph (28). 50—42 Women's handicap singles: Mrs. D. G. France (owe 10) beat Miss Warsaw (10), 40—30,

IV, Darragh is the most promising of the men players, but at present is very slow to move into position and would do well to remember that the net position is not at the service line. His forehand is strong, but his services are still rather shaky. O. Lochore is a great stylist, but should try and learn that results count more than style in a match; He has a very good forehand, but does not place to the best advantage. This player has a bad habit of trying to play stop-volleys from the vicinity of the service line, and this, together with the tendency to doublefault his service, prevents him becoming the top player of the club. W. Johnston plays a sound, heady game, and places his balls well, but has a tendency to finish his forehand drives too low down and so nets at times.

H. Thompson plays a much slower game than the other members of the club’s first team, but uses his head to good purposes and is not frightened to make use of the lob, although he is unaccustomed to Wellington winds. He is inclined to be casual and slow in getting into position to play his strokes. H. Sissons possesses a heavily topped drive, but meets the ball too low. He plays with plenty of confidence and is gradually improving his backhand, but should remember to keep the racket head up more, and not below the wrist as he is inclined to do. More spin and placement of his second service would greatly improve his game. Although entries for the club’s championship events do not close till December 10, already 162 entries have been received by the secretary.

Maranui Club. This year the Maranui club has 55 members, of whom* about half are newcomers. The following are the present office-holders of the club: —President, Mr. L. George; club captain, Mr. A. G. Robertson; vice-club captain, Mr. S. Pryor; secretary, Miss P. Haswell; treasurer, Mr. C. J. Marshall; committee, Misses McConchie and Nicholson; Mr. H. Cook.

A dance was held on the opening night, but could hardly be called a success owing to lack of patronage on the part of club members. It was a loss financially. Three courts are now in use at the club, and with the small membership everyone is assured of plenty of games on Saturday afternoons and other usually busy times. There are many promising players amons the juniors this year, two of whom were given a try-out in the match against Miramar. Owing to the poor weather experienced so far this season, no competitions have as yet been run at the club courts, but this will be remedied in the near future, and the ladder is now open for challenge, both in singles and doubles. Brougham HUI Club. Each Saturday sees a change in the

Men's handicap doubles: Hesketh and Pears (15) beat Smith and McLaren (14). 50 —32; Wilkinson and H. V. Howe (owe 2) beat Dixon and Dorman (24), 50 —15. Challenge matches: A. D. Long beat F. C. Pears, 6—5. 4—6, 6—l; M. GiffordMoore beat J. Warsaw. 6—l, 2—6, 6 —o; A. D.. Long beat J. Warsaw, 6 —l, 5—6, 3—5 (Warsaw retired); J. Warsaw beat H. M. Dykes. o—o, 6—2.

Matches at Island Bay. All handicap events at the Island Bay Tenuis Club are well under way. As usual there have been surprise results, and on the whole the games have been very interesting. Miss Walshe was far too steady for Miss Bush. Miss Cheeseman’s form fell below expectations, and Miss Pitt gained an easy victory. Miss Atkinson just got home from Miss K. Goodman. A. Christie’s solid play was nearly the downfall of R. Athea. SI. Ferkins, in spite of a big handicap, had no difficulty against A. Brown. SV. Suisted struck form quickly and easily beat H. Walshe. E. Tilyard’s all-round steadiness was just too much for V. Howarth, who was inclined to be over-eager. In the doubles' Denton and Howarth played excellently to defeat the scratch pair. Detailed results are as follow :— Women’s Singles.—First round: Miss Walshe (scr.) beat Miss Bush (14). 50 —44; Miss J. Purvis (18) beat Miss Vivian (18), by default: Mrs. Mander (6) beat Miss Mcllroy (20), 50—40: Miss B. Purvis (25) beat M. Goodman (18), 50—45; Miss E. Vane (20) beat Miss Jacobsen (18), 50—37; Miss Pitt (14) beat Miss M. Cheeseniau <(6), 50—33- Miss Atkinson (2) beat Miss K. Goodman (22), 50—17. Women's Doubles.—First round: Mrs. Mander and Miss Craig (5) beat Misses Walshe and Ferkins (5), 50—48. Second round: Misses Hun.ter and Colley (3) beat Misses Pasley and Pitt (18), 50—45. Men’s Singles.—First round: Vane (20) beat Gibson (16), 64—62; Athea (6) beat Christie (18). 60—57; Peagram (12) beat T. Walshe (20), 60—48; Falkner (16) beat M. Craig (18). by default: Ferkins (owe 10) beat Brown (14). 60—44; Suisted (10) beat H. Walshe (19). 60—40; D. Hunter (10) beat K. Macaulay (10); Pike (16) beat Denton (18). 60—47; ’Pilyard (4) beat. Howarth (21), 60—51. Second round: Falkner (16) beat Peagram (12), 60—57.

Men’s Doubles.—First round: Pcagram and Pike (10) beat Macaulay and Suisted (7), 60—52; Read > and Craig (18) beat Christie and Fraud (14), 60—45; Denton and Howarth (18) beat D. Hunter and D. Cralff (ser.l. 60—38. Second round: Denton and Howarth beat Read and Craig by default.

Combined Doubles. —First round: Miss Walshe and MacauJay (2) beat Miss Earnshaw and Falkner (20). 50—45; Miss Colley and D. Craig (3) beat Miss Pitt and M. Craig (25). by default: Miss Hunter and Parsons (4) beat Miss Wright and Denton (10). 50—45; Miss J. Purvis and J. B. Nevitt (15) beat Miss M. Goodman (22). 50—43: Miss Atkinson and Tilyard (scr.) beat Mrs. Mander and Suisted (9). 50—48.