LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 178, 26 April 1938, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS

Easter Tournament HUTT VALLEY'S YEAR

(By

Forehand.)

After delays brought about by ram, the Wellington Lawn Tenuis Association’s Easter tournament was brought to a conclusion yesterday for seventeen of the nineteen events. A total of three matches is all that is required to complete the other two. That is a situation that reflects the greatest credit on the manager, Mr. Gerald Nevitt, and his coworkers. He, and they, had to work under most disheartening conditions, let through it all, courts were kept going at their full capacity almost throughout, and very few players indeed were heard to express anything other than praise for the treatment they received. Valuable assistance was given by the assistant manager, Mr. R. Ferkins, by Mr. C. K. H. Donnell, and, so far as obtaining umpires was concerned, by Mr. D. Syme and Mr. W. Stirling. Nor is it possible to overestimate the assistance and courtesy at all times rendered by the groundsman, Mr. R. Linton. It had been found ntcessary to play the tournament on hard courts, and to reduce the three-set matches to best of 17 games. There is no doubt that the association will he faced with the problem of having seriously to consider ways and means of having the Easter tournament finish within reasonable limits of time in the future. There are several possible courses —have fewer than 19 events, keep all events to best of 17 games, or allow competitors to enter only for a limited number of events. These factors will apply mainly to 'tournaments where Easter falls fairly late in April. As mentioned last week, the standard of play on the hard courts was, in the main, higher than has been the case on grass courts. Promising Junior. A junior player who has shown _ promise is Miss J. Carrell. Her game is not noted for any really outstanding strokes, but what strokes she has she uses to the best effect. She is a strongly-built girl and plays with great steadiness, watching the ball intently. She is a real trier all the way, and therefore hard to beat. Another player who did well through the tournament was Miss E. Rigby, whose steady, careful placing game made her a formidable opponent, particularly in handicap events. She is another player who watches the ball closely and immediately runs back to a central base, if drawn from it, after playing the ball. She does not/hit hard, but she places accurately, making her mistakes over the lines rather than in the net—-a good fault.

Umpire's Action. A commendably strong stand was taken by Mr. U. P. Calcinai in one match, a boys' singles, he was umpiring. Both players were giving vent to their feelings of disgust, caused by making mistakes, in no uncertain terms. Mr. Calcinai called both players to the chair and told them that unless they mended their ways he would call the match off. It had the desired effect.

A player who showed brilliant form for part Of the tournament was Miss N. Marshall, who seemed to relish the hard courts for her long and fast forehand driving. She showed far greater accuracy than she had displayed through the season on grass. P. Jackson showed consistent form, his driving on both wings being free, 'easy and accurate. He was not quite so good in his volleying and smashing. He is apt to volley from too far hack from the net, and to hit his smashes too late. He is n.ot afraid to play to the lines and displays a sound knowledge of tactics. Fine Recovery.

The senior grade mixed doubles final provided an instance of how one may fight up from a seemingly hopeless position and win. K. Dye_r and Miss J. Burns were trailing 1-5 iu the third set and had two match points against them. They ultimately won the set 7-5 and the match, a wonderful performance against such redoubtable opponents as D. G. France and Mrs. France.

Two boys who have the makings of good players arg Polglase and _ Rose. Rose plays the steadier game in his

ground strokes, but Polglase has more the all-court game, volleying and smashing with confidence. Both are well worth encouragement. HUTT VALLEY’S RECORD With the Easter tournament over, the tenuis fixtures of the Hutt Valley Lawn Tennis Suh-Association for the season 1937-38 have been brought to a close. On looking back on the season's activities, the Hutt Valley players have every reason to be very proud of their record. The following is a complete summary of all the fixtures played. The inter-club championship competition is becoming a problem to the interclub committee, and this will be readily understood when it is realised that this year there were 21 affiliated clubs, ami they entered 58 teams. The arranging of courts for the playing of these matches causes a lot of worry aud work. This also is another reason why all clubs should put their "shoulders to the wheel” in an effort to get associatiou courts. The following are the winners of each grade in the inter-club: —Senior A, Lower Hutt; senior B, Lower Hutt; junior, Randwick; thirds, Eastern Hutt; fourths. Eastern Hutt; fifths, St. James; club championship, Waiwetu. On has only to glance at the finals of the inter-club competition to find out which part of the valley is holding the upper hand in tennis for this year. Nevertheless, the standard seen during the North v. South match was well worth witnessing. The final result was rather flattering to the North, which won by 16 to 7.

Representative Matches. Hutt Valley were successful iu defeating Manawatu at Palmerston North by 14 sets to 10, a very excellent effort, and against Wellington were narrowly beaten in the senior match by 14 sets to 10, and in the colts match by 10 sets to 6. In both these matches Hutt Valley were by no means disgraced. There were some splendid matches witnessed, specially iu the colts match, and this indicates that the Hutt Valley has a wonderful future if these colts are looked after in the proper way. It is to be regretted, however, that ertain clubs in Wellington are endeavouring to entice the younger players to go and play in town, sometimes offering as a bonus a free subscription. Tournaments in the Hutt Valley have not been patronised as they should have been, and it again comes round on the old trouble of the associatiou courts. The provision of these would, without doubt, solve the problem. Instead of having (o' spread the singles, doubles, and combined doubles into three separate tournaments, they could all be held at one time, and be made an “open” tournament. It is understood that the association is at present negotiating for a block of land for courts. It is to be hoped that these negotiations are brought to a successful conclusion. It will then behovo every tennis player iu the valley to back the scheme with his or her support, and so pave the way for the association to cater for leading players of New' Zealand in their tournaments.

The following are the winners for the season 1934-38

Singles.—-Senior: Men, F. S. Ramson ; women, Airs. V. Keillor. Junior: Men, H. McNeil. Third grade: Men, D. Smith. Doubles.—Senior: Men. O. Bold and L. Evans. Third grade: Men, W. Bonifont and P. White.

Mixed Doubles.—W. E. Jarman and Mrs. Crichton. The presentation of trophies won during the year will be made at the annual dance at the Horticultural Hall, on Friday, April 29.