Lawn Tennis. [By Huka.]

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 127, 25 November 1905, Page 14

Lawn Tennis. [By Huka.]

Last Saturday, although fine, was dusty and windy to such an extent that tennis players did not have, a very enjoyable afternoon. The unsuitable weather took the edge off most of the best players, but in every case no doubt the best teams secured victory. Of the senior matches played, the contest between Thorndon and Brougham Hill attracted most attention, but the play on>the whole was below expectation. Parker, the New Zealand champion, who was expected to show something new from his travels abroad, was much the same player that has been seen to advantage for the last year or so. His opponent, Laishley, was not at his best, and hardly, if ever, pushed him. The wind was all against a good display, yet Parker by clever tactics forced his opponent to do most of the rushing. The short drop shot across the corner of the net played by Parker is not new, as he used it with advantage at Dunedin last year, but possibly he has more command over it now. Although Laishley was beaten 9—29 — 2 there is no reason why, if in good training, he should not give the champion a great run at the New Zealand meeting. Swanston won with a fair margin from Hunter, although the latter play, ed a fair game. Young was bothered by the high wind, the hard courts, and steady determined work of Hawkins, who won a good match, 9—3.9 — 3. The latter player has a bad style which he should at once correct. In the first place his grip is wrong, and he has no wrist action at all. The sooner he corrects his back hand stroke the better, if he wishes to improve. He is a very likely player, strong and active, and should, if he acts upon the advice of a good instructor, be heard of in the future. Smythe's experience was too much for Howe, who ran in only to fail, through not going close enough to the net. Miss Batham played a plucky game against Miss Nunneley, the New Zealand champion. The latter won all the way, and gave a splendid exhibition of fine driving. Her keenness, hard hitting, good serving, and apparent anticipation is already showing fine form, and should be very hard to beat at the New Zealand championships. Miss Nunneley allows the ball to drop a -shade before driving ; in fact at times she puts a decided lift on to her stroke, with an over glance, which makes the ball shoot fast and low on landing. She has not yet command of the drive to both sides of her opponent's court, but is evidently intent upon it, if one can judge by actions on Saturday. Miss Ritchie started badly against Mrs. Holmes, but improved as the set wore on, and made a close finish, 5—7.5 — 7. Mrs. Holmes played a good game, and is such a thorough sport — winning or losing — that no ont could ever begrudge her a victory. She is always ready to play for her club when called upon, and as far back as 1898 won the Thorndon Club Championship for the first time. The first and second men's doubles were easily won by the Thorndon pairs, but Hawkins and Duncan beat the Thorndon third pair, Guy and Didsbury, with something to spare. Duncan was in fine form, and frequently out-manoeuvred his opponents. Misses Nunneley and Richie won easily from Misses Marcbant and Batham. The champion's driving was again very destructive, and her partner showed decided cleverness at the net. There is no doubt that Miss Nunneley, with a clever net player for a partner, would beat any other pair in New Zealand for the doubles championship. Mrs. Howe and Miss Pairclough securod n. hard-earned win, on the post, from Mrs. Holmes and Miss Bennett. When the two combined events were put on the score was 5 sets to each club, and the interest was very keen. Five- games all were called in" each sej;, then Mrs. Howe and Lindsay led 40 love in the 11th game and the B.H, stock advanced in price, only to be inunedjatoly damped, as Miss Marchant and Didsbury, playing

well, everted and then won that game, aiid also the next which meant set and match. Miss Fairclough and Duncan beat Miss Bennett and Guy, 7—5,7 — 5, after a close match. The score was now six all, but bar accidents the match was over, when Smythe and Ybung met Lindsay and Howe. The latter pair played all they knew, but the Thorndon pair were too good, and won, 9—4,9 — 4, which gave victory to their club by one set. The Wellington Club had an easy win from Newtown by 11 sets to 2. Fisher beat West (9 — 3), but is far from being at his best at present, and will have to improve' considerably to be iv 'the hunt at the end of the year. Wilson held Redward safe right through, and played well up to his best form. M'Lean was too good for Nagle, who has been seen to be advantage. Jackson, although not at his best, beat Brailsford easily. Miss Williams gave a fine exhibition against Miss Glasgow, beating her easily, with good hard well-placed driving. Miss Robinson and (Miss Ward were more ovenly matched, but the latter generally managed to secure the winning shot, when it came to a long rally. Fisher and Wilson had no trouble against West and Redward, who did not combine so well as usual. Naglo and Brailsford secured a win for Newtown against M'Lean and Jackson— -the latter being clean " offcolour." Green and Fraser had to work hard against Grady and Staples, who are an improving pair. Misses Robinson and Glasgow wore just too good for the Misses Ward, winning a hard close set. Misses Williams and Travers beat Mrs. Grady and Miss Christie (7 — 3), but did not show tho decided superiority expected. In the combined games, Newtown held its own veiy well. Miss Travers and Green did not combine well, and only won on tho post from Miss Christie and Grady. Miss M. Ward and Fraser had all their work cut out to beat Mrs. Grady and Staples (7 — 5), the latter pair showed better combination. JUNIOR CUP. Brougham Hill's A and B teams secured wins from Petone and Victoria Collego respectively. In seven of the matches between Brougham Hill A team and the Victoria Collego players the finishes were very close, and the loser (Victoria College) might easily in tho future reverse the order of wins. The Petone Club turned up short-handed — three men being absent, and naturally the contest was spoiled through defaults. Wellington beat Newtown after a close fight, and the losers can be expected yet to do better with a little steady practice. Hutson is an improved player, and could with advantage be given a single. THIRD-CLASS. Brougham Hill beat Ehandallah by 6 sets to 1, although several close sets were played. (Miss Morgan won from Miss Cuff after a very close match (8 — 6). Douglas and Barton just scored a win (9 — 7) from Spicer and M'Carthy. Spicer plays a better double than a single. Miss Archer and Read had to work their hardest to secure a win (8 — 6) from Miss Clark and Berry. In the ladies' doubles Misses Clark and Cuff beat the Brougham Hill pair, Misses Archer and Morgan, easily (7—2). Karori v. Brougham Hill B team game was an easy win for the latter club. Marshall was the only player to put up a close fight, and he gave Roberts as much as he could do to win (9—B). Norman Brooks, the Victorian player, who performed so brilliantly at tho English championships, will be in Auckland on tho 15th of next month, and it is quite possible that he will be a competitor at the New Zealand championships. C. G. White, the Otago champion, will be a competitor, as will also Miss F. Campbell, the lady champion of Otago. Miss Campbell will play with Miss Powdrell in the doubles. Parker and Swanston are playing together, and the former has Miss Nunneley and the latter Miss Powdrell for the* combined championship.' F. M. B. Fisher will play with Miss Ward. Messrs. J. Duthie and Co. have presented a racket for competition. Several club players have been applying for entry forms, which shows that some club secretaries to whom a large supply was issued have not taken the trouble yet to issue any to their players. Every club secretary in New Zealand had amply entry forms posted to them last month.

A meeting of the Defence Rifle Clubs' Association was held this week, to arrange for holding a shooting meeting during the Christmas holidays. It is not yet known if a one-d«y's or twodays' meeting will be held, but inasmuch a.s the Opaki Rifle Club men are likely to patronise this meeting in preference to the one to be held at Wanganui in the" same wuek, it is highly probable that the Trentham fixture will be extended over two days (Boxing Day and 27th December). The Volunteer Rifle Association is also bestirring itselfl, and there is likely to be a meeting held under its auspices on New Year's Day.