On the Courts

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1923, Page 18

On the Courts

CHAMPIONS TO MEET

NEW ZEALAND V. NEW SOUTH

WALES

DOMINION CHANCES DISCUSSED

COMING EVENTS.

New Zealand Championship!, at Christchurch— December 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 1923. Martborough Championships, at Blenheim— „ December 26. 26, 27, 1923. north Otago Championships, at Oamaru— December 25, 26, 27, 1923. Southland Championships, at .' InvercargUl— December 23, 20, 27, 1933. Rotorua Club, Open Championships, at Rotorua—December 25, 26, 27, 192$ Katkoura Club Open Championships, at Kai- = >"><«»— December 27, 38, 29, 1828. WW«ry f Ms^ " Wanß"UiTaTa^?t mp 9 h so hil& & t NeW Pl7moUth""h^i^^g: 'afc Hokltlk<lWellington Championships, at Masterton— January 19, 21, and 22, 1921. Masterton Club, Open Championships, at Haaterton—January 19, 21, and 22, 1024. Hawkes Bay Championships, at Waipawa— January 29, SO, and 31, 5924. Canterbury Champtonsliipis at Christcburch— Easter. Otago Championships, at Dunedin—Bajter.

(By "Huka.")

The championships of New Zealand, which are to be decided at Christchurch this year, start on the 26th December, and are bound to attract large entries from all over New Zealand. The n,ew courts at the United Club's ground will be used, and the Canterbury officials will take good care to see that the playing area, will be as nearly perfect as it is possible for lawns to be. No one knows better than they do ths 1 importance to a player of a true, fast' surface. The junior playei* this year will have an extra interest in the meeting, as the winners of the Junior New Zealand Championship Singles each count one point for their respective associations for the Anthony Wilding Memorial Cup. It might so happen that it will be a junior event that -will decide which association will have the honour of holding the cup for 1924. At a New Zealand meeting not so very-many years ago, most of the rounds of ths junior events were played upon aa out of the'way court, which was so untrue as far as the surface was concerned, that no senior player was asked to play a match there, but it was reckoned good enough for the "school players" as the New Zealand juniors were erroneously termed by some of the tournament committee. It is from the young aspirant for the New Zealand Junior Championship that the senior New Zealand champion comes from, and it is abso- I lutely essential that the juniors play their matches under the very best oj conditions. Each and every one of them should receive exactly the same treatment,* as far a* balls, courts, and um?ires are concerned, as do the seniors, n fact, extra attention should be given , to their matches when appointing umpires, and only the very best of umpires should take the junior matches. The New Zealand Association should set the example in this matter—for there is no use preaching what one does, not practise. The New Zealand secretary is fully alive to the situation, and this year we may see the finals of the junior events decided upon the centre court. It is almost too early to attempt to pick any ( of the likely winners, but both the men s and the ladies' singles are fairly open. _ Taking the ladies' events first, one is inclined to think that in the absence of any ladies from Australia, that Miss Macfarlane, of Auckland, should wear the crown, but it ia quite possible that there may be surprises from two quarters. In the men's event, barring a win from a New South Wales player, it should be Sims's year, if he has retained anything like the form he showed in Sydney. But ther,e are others in the hunt, and taking them in their turn, It can be safely said that Ollivier, the present champion, still has an even chance, if he trains hard; then, again, Laurenson, provided he can get the ever, necessary practice, must be considered, but if he does not go into court in any better trim than he did last year, he cannot hope to win out. L. France should have improved by the experience he had in Sydney, and Andrews, of Pal•merston North, should be about at the J "arriving" stage this season. Competitors, one and all, must remember that to be fit and well trained is half the battle, and there is no excuse as far as that is concerned. j NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. The New South Wales team, which leaves Sydney early next month for New Zealand, has'been selected, and-if the Test match is to be won by the New Zealanders, it is about time that the home team was selected. The visitors will be an added attraction at the New Zealand championships, as they are all first-clas3 players, and the team will take some beating. Frank Peach is well known to New Zealanders, and is a fine player. The St. George Club player was a member of the 1920 team that visited ■ New Zealand. He is a hard hitter, and if he can strike his top form when in New Zealand will more than hold his own. He is still, however, inclined to be erratic at times. R. J. Goodman, of the Sydney Club, has shown greatly improved form this season, and varies his strokes with sound judgment. A very heady player, E. Jordan, Northern Suburbs, is noted for his good all-round game, but is possibly better in singles than in doubles. J. E. M'Causland, who represents Western Suburbs, will have to be reckoned with as he is a club team mate of J. 0. Anderson, J. Clemenger, and S. H. Henderson, and has profitted by having practice with those players. The Western Suburbs team appeared to have the Sydney Club competition well in hand early in the season, but owing to the departure of Anderson to America, and Clemenger to the country, the Northern Suburbs had a. surprise victory, and were the ultimate winners. The North Sydney Club claims K. L. Poulton, and he is one of the club's senior team. He is looked upon as a first-class doubles playei% but will hold his own against all comers in the singles. G. R. Reid is, also a district competition player of note. He hits hard all the time, and varies his shots well. His one weakness is that he seldom, follows his service further than the service line, but for all that volleys well from the unsecure position, and is hard to pass. W. 51. Pike, the emergency, is also in the championship class. Taken all round, even although several prominent Sydney players ■ are not available, the team is a fli'it-elaes eije. Provided the' Isaw ]i»s not too much travelling to do, its

chances against the Jlew Zealand team in the Test match are fifty-fifty. If the visitors are to play matches besides the Test match, it is to be hoped that in the interests of quite a number of association players invitation tournaments will be arranged instead of teams matches. Associations who are alive to the general benefits from such tournaments now have their chance.

ONE OF THE OLDEST! »

"The president, the committee, and members of the Taita Lawn Tennis Club request the honour"—that was the beginning of an invitation to the opening of the Taita" Club's new concrete courts on Ist December. The writer, consequently, was reminded of days gone by, in which the Taita Club figured largely. Some of the old-timers will tell you that those were the days when teams journeyed far and wide for their tennis, and jolly days they were. One and all looked forward to the jaunt to the Taita Club's grounds, and the tennis players of that noted, club took good care that you had the time of your life in every way. It did not matter much who won, and often as not, it was only the secretary who knew for a positive fact—he knew only because it was his duty to keep club records. The Taita Club is one of the oldest in the district, and although, as in "The Brook," some may come and some may go, it would appear—and let us hope so—that the Taita Club will "go on for ever." Tha same spirit is there now as in the past, and after all is said and done that U what counts in keeping anything in th« rays of the sun. Town players always came home tired, but happy, laden with flowers, and joyous within themselves as they had arrived at the end of a Eerfect day. It'wag always so coming oma from Taita. MARLBOEOUGH CHAMPIONSHIPS. The programme and entry forms for the annual championship and hsndicap tournament of the Marlborough Association are now m circulation in Wellington, and are attracting attention. The tournament is to be held at the Marlborough Club s grounds, where there are six grass courts, on 25th, 26th, and 27th December. Entries close on the 18th December with the hon. secretary, Geo. Mitchell, Box 77, Blenheim. The u«ual ten events are on the programme. The committee reserves the right to -"seed" the draw m accordance with the rules adopted by the New Zealand Associauonj The annual tournament at Blenheim has always attracted players from other centres, and once having played there, competitors are very eager to return and renew acquaintances. Already quite a large team of Wellington playera has decided to cross the Straits, and the team is getting larger every day. A hearty i ■welcome from the players ."over there" may be reckoned on, tor they know just how to make you enjoy your stay in the pretty Wairau town. Intending competitors can have accommodation arranged for by applying to the secretary, but they will be welladvised to get in early, as the hotel accommodation is limited at holiday tima. Blenheim has always guaranteed its weather at Christinas time, and is doing so again. You may not win the championship, but you will be all the better for the trip, as you are bound to enjoy yourself.

It will interest some of the intending local competitors to view the Marlborough Association's ranking ladder list, which is as follows:—1 M'Dougall 2 Robertson. 3 Reid, 4 Scantlebury' 5 Boyes, 6 Brammall. 7 Bennett, 8 Seddon, 9 Humphreys, 10 Goldie, 11- Mitchell, 12 Mills. By the rules, anyone can- challenge the bottom players on the "ladder," and this year's committee has put last season's leading players at the bottom of the "ladder," the idea b«-' ing for them to give the others practice as they work their way up, or try to. The idea appears good. Those who intend to visit Blenheim for the championships will be well-advised to book their passages at once, especially if they are travelling on 24th December. MIRAMAR GROUNDS, Good progress has been made by th« Advisory Board-and other enthusiasts in securing £100 life members in connection with the new grounds at Miramar. There iB still a lot to be done, but tha object can be achieved if the tennis players as a whole make it their business to secure members, if not £100 ones theu some at lesser figures. It is not advisable to turn any offer away, and if you cannot answer any offered suggestion get in touch with a member of the Advisory Board through D. Murray Keen. The younger members can assist wonderfully by talking and getting others interested in the scheme, whicht is now an assured fact. The 75 courts are going to be laid out on the grounds for play by next season, * and the whole point is, what are you doing to assist? The object is too good a one for any delay, so should you know of any likely life members send in their names at once. Remember, •. the French team will be touring South of the Line in 1924, j and if the famous Suzanne Lenglen is to be seen "on the courts" at Wellington then the Miramar grounds must be ready.' But we want them ready long ■ before that. We want them for interclub matches and for the public schools' tournaments as early as possible. Seventy-five courts—first-class courts, with an up-to : date pavilion, and it is for you, remember—so get busy. The second annual tennis tourney to be held under the auspices of the Wellington Secondary Schools' Athletic Association will commence on the Brougham Hill, Wellington Boy 3 ' College, ■ and St. Patrick's College courts on Saturday, Ist December, at 8 a.m. A meeting of delegates (one from each school) to consider final arrangements in connection with the tourney will be held in the old Technical College Building, Victoria street, next Monday, at 4 p.m. Entries, accompanied by entrance fee of Is each for each event, will close with Mr. J. Melody, the hon. secretary, at the above meeting for the following events:—Girls' championship singles and doubles, and boys' championship singles and doubles. The events are divided into senior and junior. Competitors 16 years or over are classified as senior, and the junior players must be under 16 on Ist December. Competitors are restricted to one grade. Each school can enter eight players in each grade for the singles, and four pairs in the doubles.

Tennis players in particular will regret to hear that G. Ollivier, the New Zealand champion and well-known Christchurch player, lost his father last week. The late Mr. Ollivier was a general favourite with all those who were acquainted with him, and he was a very keen follower of all sports—lawn tennis in particular. Ho was naturally of. a bright and cheerful disposition, and his friends will miss those cheerful lav» talks, which ni 1c iiiwuys (,[{. y,. better tor after- having bid farewell