LAWN TENNIS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS.

fßv "Huka."J DANNEVIRKE TOURNAMENT. The Dannevirko Tournament was in every was a great success, and the management must feel satisfied that it was a good move to fix their dates just ahead of the Masterton meeting. Miss Nunneley was in great form, and won in the final from Miss Travers. Tho latter player was suffering from a very bad cold, and the hot weather troubled her considerably. Tho winner was most consistent right through, and gave a fine display of real sparkling tennis. In the doubles, Misses Travers and Wellwood held their own, and put Misses Nunneley and Williams out. Parker had matters all his own way in_ the singles, and ho also won the doubles with Harold Brown. Fisher and Miss Travers proved too good for Brown and Miss Nunneley in tho combined. Taken altogether, the form shown at the meeting was particularly good, and one thing that could not but attract attention was the number of promising young players among- the ladies. They hailed from the Hawkes say province, and some of them should be able in a few years to hold their own against the best players in the Dominion. MASTERTON. As soon as tho events were completed at Dannevirke, there was a general rush for Masterton, and there tho whole business was gone over again. The courts were in leal tip-top condition— making play fast. The struggles v/ero for the Wellington Provincial Championships, and never before has there been such a fine entry as far as quality was concerned. Swainson, of Pahiatua, is a vastly improved player, and proved it by beating Harold Brown hi two sets. It was a ding-dong struggle, the winner just getting homo in the first set, 7—5.7 — 5. Then Brown evened by taking the next set at 6 — 4', but Swainson was not to bo denied, as he wont for the final bet all he knew, and won amidst considerable excitement, 6—3. C. 0. Cox and W. Goss, of Chrisfcchurch, had <a tough match, and the Canterbury player gave Cox all he wanted. In fact, he all but won the second set, and Cox was nght out to the very end. Ollivier, of Cbristchurch, turned the tables on Cox, and hardly gave him a look in. The winner was in fine form, and gave a good display, getting in to the n6t very cleverly. Parker was too clever for Swainson — the latter only scoring one game to Parker's 12. Parker and Fisher had a 3-set go. Parker took the first set at 6—2,6 — 2, thon Fisher evened tho sets 'at a similar score, but the Sydney player came away again and won the final, 6—4.6 — 4. Fisher played well, and gave tho winner all ho wanted and more. The Parker-Ollivier match was a disappointment; everyone had looked for a real good display, with tho young Canterbury crack possibly extending Parker. From tho vory start Parker got going, and time after time passed Ollivier with beautiful shots. Oll'vior was most uncertain, and although he triod to force matters by rushing the net, it was no good, as Parker passed him how and when ho liked. Ollivier can do better, and no doubt the experience gained will be of value to him. The win gave H. A. Parker the Wellington Championship in tho singles, and, strange to say, it is the first time he has won that particular championship. MEN'S DOUBLES. Few thought for a moment that Cox and Aitken had a chance of beating Parker and Brown for the championship doubles, but the combination of the former pair was a treat to watch. The iirst set was anyone's at 5 all, but the good net play of Cox and Aitken pulled them through. Parker and Brown moved together better in the second set, and evened matters. The last set gave promise of a hard fight, but Cox and Aitken simply walked away with it. Cox was very accurate, whereas Aitken possibly has never played better. Brown was oft' his game, and Parker could not get moving. Cox would bo as good a player as ever if he settled down to a season of good hard tennis. His volleying was most attractive. Aitken and Swainson have now strong claims to be considered when tho next Wellington rep. team comes up for selection. THE LADIES' SINGLES. The ladies' singles worked down to Misses Travers and Nunneley to again fight it out. Miss Wellwood did not improve upon her former play_ in singles at Dannevirks and Blenheim, and it would seem as though she has lost that fine forehand drive that gave her many an ace. With steady practice she should get it back again — at leasi it is to be hoped so. Miss Booth, of Carterton, shook the Hastings player up, taking the first set. Miss Hartgill will improve with more experience, as she has hardly gained that confidence which stands a player in good stead at tennis. Miss Nunneley was too accurate for Miss Travers in the final of the ladies' singles, and won a good match, taking 12 games to her opponent's 2. Miss Travers played hard, but was not accurate. Taking all in all, Miss Nunneley is a wonder, and sho deserves^ all congratulations for her very fine displays given at Dannevirke and Masterton. THE LADIES' DOUBLES. Tho Wellington doubles were won by the Thorndon. pair (Misses Nunneley and Simpson), who defeated the New Zealand champions (Misses Travers and Wellwood), 7—5,7 — 5, (j — 5. T t was a great match, and all played finely. When Misses Nunneley and Simpson beat Misses William and Hartgill, it was at once seen that they- had a great chance for the championship. Miss Simpson, by her fine play, has justified her selection in the "Wellington team to play against Canterbury. Misses D. and G. Booth nlayed well against Misses Travers and Wellwood, although, defeated; 6—3, 6—36 — 3 COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIP. Fisher and Miss Wellwood beat Brown and Miss Nunneley, s—l, 6—4. The former pair combined well ; Fisher was very aggressive, and hurled some of his smashes iv with great pace. Miss Nunneley hit herself in the face with" her racket, and was naturally oft" colour for some time. Brown was here, there, and everywhere, and anything short sent- up by Miss Wellwood was promptly killed by him. The The -winners had a very hard match against Cox and Miss Hartgill. The DannevirkeHastings pair took tho first set, and bo well did they play that the second looked like a win for them also, but Fisher and Miss Wellwood came away at the light time, and won 'the second and third sets, both at 6—4.6 — 4. Parker and Miss Travers beat Gosb and Miss Williams easily^ tho latter pair only getting one game in the match. The final of the combined should have been a first-class exhibition, but it simply ended in a runaway victory for Fisher ancl Miss Wellwood. Parker and Miss Travers were right off colour, and played very stalely. The score of 12 games to 3 tells its tale. The winners had got to within one game of match before their opponents secured a, game. Fisher played a fine winning game, and Miss WoHwood was also in a winning mood. The handicaps will bo treated next .week. Wife: John, what do the Christian Scientists call their place of worship?" John: An ''Eddy"-fice, I suppose. Often when a man gets to the top he fails to find tho records left by the pre1 vious explorer*