TROPHY TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 102, 24 January 1933, Page 14

TROPHY TENNIS

Wellington’s Shield and Casket Wins COMMENT ON THE PLAY

(By

“Vantage.”)

Once agaiij the Anthony Wilding Memorial Shield and the Kathleen Nunnelly Casket have been won by,Wellington. In the shield matches Wellington had sweeping victories over Auckland iu the semi-final, and Canterbury in the final. In the first match Wellington won by ten rubbers to two, and Auckland’s two wins were, strangely enough, iu the singles played by their fourth man, H. C. Rowlands, who was only included because of the defection of another - player, E. L. Bartleet.

Auckland can have no reason to regret its choice of Rowlands. lHe surprised everyone by the quality of his play. His fast forehand drive anti determination with which he went for his shot on occasions were the outstanding characteristics of his game. He beat N. R. C. AV ilson quite comfortably, in spite of the fact that he lost the second set, and he won on his merits. He was quick to take advantage of every mistake on the part of Wilson, and he did not once release the constant pressure be exerted throughout the match. He could not stand up to the pace Wilson clapped on in the second set, but fortunately for him Wilson could not maintain it, and once he was able to take the initiative again Rowlands was irresistible. On the second day he met and defeated in two sets R. McL. Ferkins, and Perkins, as he had shown by his victory over the Auckland third man, M. M. Morrison, was capable of playing good tenuis. But he did not get much of a chance of showing his, capabilities against Rowlands, in the first set at any rate. He did better in the second, although Rowlands could not be stopped from - bitting his way through for a win at 7 —5.

C. E. Malfroy did not drop a set in the shield matches, for all the fact that he had to play such redoubtable opponents as N. G. Sfurt and A. C. Stedman, of Auckland, and 11. A. Barnett, Canterbury. The Auckland players managed to collect five games apiece in the two sets, and Barnett could not get more than four. D. G. France also played very well in these matches. He beat both Stedman and Sturt, and had a 6—3, 6—4 win over C. Angas, Canterbury . Much Improved Player. In the final, Wellington’s victory over Canterbury was by seven matches to two, with three unplayed. The wins were those of Angas and Barnett against Wilson and Ferkius, and T. Rhodes-Williams against Ferkins. Rhodes-Williams is now showing definite signs of fulfilling the promise he displayed a few seasons back. Especially in his game with Ferkins, he played fine tennis. He has a beautiful style, and is now achieving commensurable results. He should not really have lost his singles with Wilson; he took the first set and was in a winning position in the second. By failing to concentrate on one or two vital points, he threw away an excellent chance of victory. Apart from Angas, who gave an inglorious display in his match with D. G. France, the disappointing member of the Canterbury team was the third man. W. R. Robinson. He lost to Wilson. 6—l, 6 — 2, and to Ferkins in three sets. He only managed to pull off the set he won at 7— 5. and he lost the first and third 6—l. He showed absolutely no trace of the form he is said to have exhibited in Christchurch this season. Play in Casket Matches. The final Nunneley Casket match between Wellington and Canterbury was ver> closely contested, and at the end of the first day’s play it was still impossible to say- which team would win. However, Wellington won three of the five matches which were played later, and established a clear lead in sets and games. Mrs. D. G. France did very well in her singles matches. She beat both the hardhitting young Canterbury players. Miss Poole and Miss Rudkin, in two sets. Miss Poole could only get two games in each set, and Miss Rudkin, after a very hard fight for the first set, suddenly went to pieces, and lost her second 6—o. One of Mrs. France’s best attributes as a match winner is her ability to get right into her stride from the jump out." She never has to waste the valuable early games in an effort to settle down. She is capable of playing her best from- the first point onward, and this has enabled her to run up good leads in the first set of all the matches she has played lately. Both Miss Poole and Miss Rudkin proved themselves to be players of great promise. They have splendid stroking equipment, and only require match experience to become really first-class. Miss Poole in particular is too fond at present of hard and indscriminate hitting at any cost, and against a good match player such as Mrs. France it does not get her far. She has still to learn that there must be a purpose behind every shot, and that there is a right and a,wrong ball upon whieh to launch an attack. Lyall Bay Club Notes.

Handicap events at the Lyall Bay club are well under way, and the championship draws have been made. Matches in the latter events will not begin yet. however, as a fair percentage of members have been away for the Christmas period. At the moment the results of inter-club matches show teams in the following positions :—

Second division, men, 3rd equal. Second division, .women, 2nd equal. Third division, men, Ist equal. Third division, women, Ist equal. Fourth A division, women. 3rd equal. Byng lias returned froh the south and with Ashton as partner was not long : n showing form. They bad a comfortable win in the buttons doubles from Tonks and Dunford, the score reading 9—3. On their showing in that match they should be the holders for some time.

Gibson continues to show improvement, and is likely to cause some thinking among those in his immediate proximity on the ladder. Several members are doing tourneys outside Wellington this year, some having gone to Martinborough and others to Waipnwa and Dannevirke. and it is hoped that they will both enjoy themselves and bo among the winners. Karori Club.

The handicap events of the Karori club were completed before the Christmas holidays set in. and the following were the winners of the various handicaps:— Women’s.doubles: Mcsdames Wiren and Hain.

Mens’ doubles: D. Mclntyre and D. Cooper. Combined doubles: Miss Akel and L. A. Tracy. Taken as a whole, the handicap events proved very successful, the majority of games justifying the care with which the handicapping had been carried out. In one or two instances the result of the game proved unsatisfactory, but this was due more to a reversal of form than to the question of handicap. Mesdames Wiren and Hain secured a well-earned victory over their junior opponents, overhauling a substantial handicap and winning the match of 40 up after the score sheet read 31—39. • D. Mclntyre and D. Cooper faced a 15point handicap, and it looked at one stage as if their opponents would be able to hold the lead, but the handicapped players eventually won at 50- —4(5. Miss Akel and L. A. Tracy faced ti substantial handicap against junior opponents, but a break through in the thirties, where these players scored ten points in succession, gave them the victory. Very satisfactory entries have been received for the championship events, whb’h are now ready for commencement, and wife a number of friendly inter-club matches in view, the remaining portion of the season should prove very interesting to members.