On the Courts

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 18

On the Courts

NEW COURTS AT MIRAMAR

GOOD TENNIS AT STRATHFIELD

VISIT OF FRENCH TEAM- AND MLLE. LENGLEN.

COMING EVENTS. New- zJea^, i; I d b °h^ pio7r^ pßb at3? hT 9 t4 hurchMar&^ r aTTk: at> Bfenheimg^ffe at °— Southland Championships, at Invercarglll— December 25, 90, 274 1923 Tarj"nuuo haß mP 9 iTo hlP/i' jJ, 4 KeW P*mOuthWe%nZf U W't^'" ' * Hokitika-

(By «Hoxa.")

MONEY CODING TO HAND.

The Advisory Committee of the Wellington Association in connection with the. new grounds, at Miramar have opened the campaign,, for the necessary £ s. d. The first attack is on the life-member-ship Bcheme, and the committee is offering real value for the money subscribed. Any person taking up a,- life-member-ship of £100 can nominate three relatives with full privileges for life, and should any of the said relatives cancel their membership, the original nominator, is permitted to'fill the vacancy with another relative. Any person paving a like, sum can nominate three other members, with full privileges,, for life. Some subscribers, it has been suggested, might desire to nominate promising young players, such as public school champions.' who otherwise might not be able to follow the game up. Firms might desire to reward some of their young employees for good work done by making them lifemembers., and so ensuring them of a healthy exercise for life, which possibly they would not otherwise be able to afford. There are quite a number of promising young player* in the city at the present time, who cannot afford to join any of the tennis clubs, even if there were the vacancies for them.' The 1 idea has "caught on," and as one subscriber remarked, "This life-membership really means an assurance my children will always have their spurt provided for them, no matter what happens to me, and cheaply at that." The subscribers are thus getting value for their money, and over £1000 was signed up for by the time the campaign was two'days old. From general opinions expressed by leading citizens, the schememust succeed, as the city and the citizens, as well as the .future citizens of Wellington, will otherwise be the losers. -_Th e Miramur level areas should have been the playground for all Wellington. Sad as it was that the foresight shown years ago by somo deep-thinking citizens, who advocated that the city ehould'acquire the grounds was not followed, there is still an opportunity of tennis players at any rate being able to uss a portion of the area, if those who are able will back up-the. Wellington. Association in getting this ground quickly kid out. Any citizen Vho thinks well of his city will have a splendid reward for his £100 when he or she sees hundreds of brighteyed, clean-limbed* merry school children enjoying themselves" ou. these 75 courts. Even if one is not a very good player, one can still enjoy the goqd fresh air at Miramar, and so can three others, if you come along with your £100. But when yon have promised, or paid up your £100, do not stop sf, that, as the association wants your help in getting others to become interested, and the Appeal Committee will be pleased to add your name to its members.

The Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association has written to the local association congratulating that body on its splendid scheme, and wishing Wellington all success. The Canterbury Association is composed of a fine body of sports, who have offered to give any advice that is possible to help the Wellington ettort to be achieved. Canterbury has its hands full at present with a somewhat similar scheme, but has received a flying start from Wellington, ''nasmueh >is a public-spirited citizen of Ohristcharcli has advanced his association ££OCO towards the completion of the "Wilding" tennis grounds. When "Wellington hits that total we too will throw" uu our hats, for it means that the children of Wellington will have their promised tennis playground. ■ The majority ]of the clubs in Wellington have their club handicaps now open for entry. Some of the clubs have started the contests—Brougham Hill, in particular, has all its handicap events well forward, and will complete them this month! * i STRATHFIELD TOURNAMENT. vTo those who do not know, the Strathfield tournament is played on the Strathfield Club's courts, "which are situated in the suburbs of Sydney, and the journey from the city is done by motor or_ train. The metropolitan championships are decided at this tournament, and the tournament always has been, and always will lue, ranked as one of the foremost of New South Wales, besides being one of the most popular. It is always a great honour to have been, a winner of a championship at Strathfield. The annual tournament has just been completed, and the results of some of the matches played are of local interest. Dr. N. M. Gregg, who spent a few days in Wellington not so very long ago. on his way back from England, was in good form in the singles, and' beat R. H. Gemmell, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Gregg led 4-1 in the second set, and 5-2 in the third, but Gemmell came at him with great determination and won the second set 6-4, and evened up at 5-all in the third set. The effort, however, could not be sustained against trip doctor, who crowded on pace for the last two games of the match and wow. C. Donohue, exschoolboy champion^ had A. Willavd fully extended, but the 1-atter's greater experience pulled him through at 6-4 6-3. J. Willard beat S. H. Henderson, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. _ The winner went about like a whirlwind—he rushed the net continually, and could not be forced back, except for a time in the second set. He- was cram full of energy,' and gave a finished display with correct tactics. Norman Peach beat Dr. Gregg, 6-2, 7-5, but the latter should have taken the second set as he led 5-2. Peach showed his best form when the doctor looked all over a winner. Dr. A. L. North beat Bullousrh 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. The ' latter struck his length in the second set, and thus kept the doctor away from the net. Bullouiih looked a winner in the third set, after, taking ithree games to love, but, psseibly. tfuzaled by what '-•»t«j uk» sure viptotv Irnni. mark, and

digest please, colts of Wellington), ho suddenly shut up like a knife, lost his length, and the older player took five games in quick succession, by clever net play, and ran out a winner 6-4. A. Willard had a hard first set with North, which went to the latter at &6. The doctor took the second set easily at 6-3, by keeping Willard at the back of the

court. Dr. North fell.in the final to J. Willard—it was really-expected that the brothers • (A. and J.) would fight the final out. The doctor led 6-5 in the

first set,' and it was anybody's win to the last stroke. Both tried for possession of the net', and both passed one another repeatedly with splendid drives in the rush for the coveted position. Both men played well,- but Willard had the condition to see the hard match out more so than the doctor, and won at 8-6,.6-4. Norman Peach scratched for all events owing to the death of his wife's mother, ((n the doubles Anderson and 'Cummmgs beat Dr. North and E. L. Jones —a much-fancied pair, 6-3. 7-5, in the semi-final, but the Willard Brothers gal- ! loped home in the final from Anderson and Cummings. In the LadW Singles Championship, Miss Lance was in great form throughout the tournament. Towai'ds the closing stages she beat Miss St. George 6-2, 6-2, and Mrs. ..TJtz 6-4, 6-0. The latter held her own splendidly in the-first set, but had not the strength to foot it with Miss Lance in the sec-ond-set. 'Miss D. Akhurst, ex-school champion, had a severe contest with Mrs. Henry (nee Beegling), such as they often had in the school championships, but Miss Akhurst has always had just a shade, too much pace for her school mate, and she won, 6-3, 7-5. The winner is a coming New South Wales champion. She reached the final, as was the case last year, beating Miss Lorna Bull in the semi-final 6-1, 7-5. 'The final was : a good match between Misses Lance and '■ APurst, but the champion won at 6-3, b-i The younger player did remarkably j well, but had she gone for more s pace, j and risked more she might" haye given ' Miss Lance a more anxious time than she did. In the ladies doubles, Misses 4.k- ', hurst and Mitchell beat Mrs. TJtz and j ■ Miss Lloyd, 6-4, 7-5, but the winners ' : went' down to Misses Lance and St I \ George,-6-0, 6-3, in the final. The los-1. ers led 3-love in the second set, and it- ! was Miss Akhurst's furious driving that • won the points. She smote with great ' pace, but the older players settled down ! to steady play, and allowed the storm to i '. pass. When Miss Akhurst slackened for a breather, the older pair crammed on ! . the. pace, and with Miss Mitchell park- i ■ ed at the net, .md not attempting to ' cut off any of the drives that came hurl- : ing in Miss Akhurst's direction, the more 1 heady player took six games in succes- : ; sion by good tactics. By this win, which was the third in succession, Misses Lance and_ St. George win the handsome' cups ] outright. In the combined, Jordon and : Miss O'Bannell, a school player from: \\ollongong, sprung a surprise by beat- ! ' mg Henderson and .Miss Lloyd, 5-7 6-4 ' 6-2, but J. O'Regan and Miss Mitchell beat the winners, 6-2. 5-7, 7-5. The losers led 5-3. in the third set, and with a shade of luck should have won. Norman Peach and Miss St. George re- ' tired. Finnic Peach and Misß Lance had .little difficulty in the final against J O'Kyanand Miss Mitchell. Miss Lance showed great form, and is.reported to be : playing better than ever. The champion is to be married shortly, and takes up her residence in Melbourne. It has been predicted that in her absence Miss Akhurst will be the champion at Strath- j field nest year. \

VIVE LA FRANCE. A French team will tour Australia in the latter part of 1924, or early in 1925. "Austral" in the "Referee" says that the team will bo selected from M M. Lacoste, Cochet,' Centien, Hirscli ' Dupont, and Brugon. All of these pkyers are champions, who excel on hard-suv- 1 faced courts. It is also said that Mle. Lenglen will be in the team. What has New Zealand done about it? The hint was given some time ago through this column that the French players were open to an invitation. It is not too late even now to get in touch with the French officials through the same stwrce as advised before. Mr. J, C. . Pracock will be in France early in 1924, and he might be ab\e to induce the French Lawn Tennis Association to send the French players IJirough New Zon.r.rrl. The_ Wellington Association's courts will be in going order by then, and if tTni governing body: does not' move in the tfuatt#r:, why not the local tiSv.-cj.tipn take a leaf out of Auckland's book and see if an exhibition match can be ar-. ranged with the French team. That is, unless the rules forbid the local association taking such action. f onebody should take action, and quickly at that. NEW SOUTH WALES v. VICTORIA. The Selection Committee of the New South Wales Lawn Tennis- At>- coition has chosen the following players for practice from whom the team to represent New South Wales will be selected to play at Melbourne in the interstate match against Victoria in November • J. 0. Anderson, J. Clemnger, R. O. Cum S. H. Anderson. E. L Jones, F. Kalms, Dr. A. L. North, N* Peach, A. Sieler, and J. Willard. M. Bayley and C. Spencer could not make tha trip. The ladies' team will be selected from the following players: Misses Akhurst, Gray, Lance, Mitchell, St. George, and Mrs. Utz. Misses Lloyd and Bull have not been included 'in "the practice team, and it would appear that they have fallen behind the other ladies. Miss Akhurst has come on with leaps and bounds, and now is possibly the hardest driver amongst the New *South Wales ladies. Miss Lance ranks as No. 1, and the others probably in the following order: Mrs. Utz. Miss Akhurst, Miss Gray, Miss St. George, Miss Mitchell, Miss Lorna Bull, Miss Lloyd, and Mrs Henry.