LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 73, 30 March 1929, Page 18

LAWN TENNIS

■V " HUKA" MAORI COMPETITIONS

BRILLIANT SINGLES AND

DOUBLES

STANDARD OF PLAY NOW HIGH

The New Zealand Maori Lawn Tennis Association's fourth annual championship meeting was held last week on the Hamilton Tennis Club's grass courts. The management officially opened tho tournament on the Monday by playing a few matches ou the four concrete courts of the Nga Club at Ngaruawahia, and as the grass courts at Hamilton wore too damp to use on the Tuesday, more matches were played on those courts, which were close to the pa of To Puea Haerenga, where uearly all the tennis competitors were located. Te Puea is a very noble lady, and of tho highest Maori rank. Practically all the Maori tribes had representatives at the tournament, and the tennis executive can now fairly claim that at last the Maoris are a united people, eager and willing to meet one another in friendly contest at tho game of lawn

tennis.

The Maori tennis officials have worked wonders sinco the inception of the association four years ago, and one and all deserve great praise and congratulations for what has been achieved. Their efforts havo always been kept to the right path, and although it may have been a steep one, yet for all that the progress has been sure and rapid. The stiff uphill climb was in accord with the spirit of uplifting that was ever kept in view, and now that all obstacles have been surmounted, tho' hill climbed, and a clear, even view before,them, it is only a matter of calm thinking by a united party for the future of Maori tennis to be ever an increasing success. Tho government of Maori tennis cannot be conducted or managed exactly as the pakeha tennis. There are many tribal customs to be considered in the formation of sub-associations and clubs, but with tho clever Maori brains behind the movement it is well to leave these matters to themselves, and time will solve any difficulties that may crop up. The Maori, when managing the game on the tennis courts, "plays tho game" and adheres to the rules as laid down by the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association possibly more strictly than do many of tho pakeha associations, and in time the Maori sub-associations and clubs will havo all their affairs in order.

The Maori Council held its annual meeting at the pa during the week, and tho officers were given much good advice by the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata. Many times his remarks were straight and hard to the point, but at all times they were most valuable. Delegates have much to think over and do when they return to their districts, as they have to furnish a report as to progress at the next council meeting, and one cannot see any of them facing a meeting without a good report of the doings in their district.

The Championships.

The players left Hamilton by buses and motor-cars each mornng for the 12----mile drive to the courts, and, of course, had a trip of 12 miles back in tjie evenings. From the moment the drive started on either journey it was a journey of delight and joy, for one and all, male and female, sang from the start to finish. There were no dull moments, and the journeys ended all too soon —even when a bus broke down— who cared, help would soon arrive, and it did from another bus iv the shape of a supply of petrol. The wag of the party at once caused unbounded mirth by saying, "Oh, if this bus had been our property the pakeha would have said, 'Just like the Maori' to leave without juice." One and all commanded the slowly-moving bus to climb the hill by singing "Get Up! Get Up! Get Up!" and it'somehow "got up" and over the hill, its rattle being drowned by cheers and songs of the party. That was only one incident during those drives —there- were many more equally as amusing, as well as entertaining.

The tournament was splendidly managed by Messrs. E. Boyal, H. M. Tatere, and W. T. Pitt, and everything appeared to'run on oiled wheels. Kmgi Tahiwi, the Marumaru brothers, Paaka Turei, J. Eukutai, and C. Newton worked hard for the success of the meeting. There were others, of course, who assisted; in fact, everyone gave what as-, sistanco he or she could, but, naturally, some were Called upon to do more than others. Umpires are called "markers" by the Maori people, and it was at first strange to hear a competitor say, "Are you marking for me?" Nearly all of the "markers" were'firstclass umpires, and one sex was a good as the other. ' When an order was given from the official stand that any competitors declining to umpire would be defaulted in their next matches, it rather surprised "Huka," as the eagerness in which the competitors rallied to the call for "markers" would have put most pakeha players to shame. But possibly only one or two were hanging back, and the order was given to bring them into line. The competitors were practically all dressed in the proper tennis costume —white —and girls and "boys" in most cases had blazers, each tribe having its own particular colour. Tho players were a credit to their tribes and their association iv tdiness and deportment on and off the tennis courts. The Maori plays the game for the sheer love of playing, and no matter whether it is victory or defeat they find joy and merriment in the combat. George Nepia, the well-known Kugby player, played for Horouta tribe, and played really well. After one long rally his opponent lobed high, and the tribal wag gave Nepia advice by saying, "Kick a goal, George." Nepia replied with a vigorous smash to the roars of laughter and applause. Another competitor when going on to tha court with three racquets under his arm was announced by the wag as "Oh, people, look, here comes Tilden." On a court adjacent to the stand one of the champions was playing a rather bulky competitor, who could be heard to say something every time he was beaten in a rally, and that was mostly often. At last the wag asked him if he were ill or was ho being beaten. "I don't mind him beating me," he replied, "but why does he grin at me when he does it?" The next moment ho was laughing gaily, for ho had fluked a point, and so the gamo was played with joke and laughter by tho many who know that they must go out before the seriou» rounds were reached. One competitor wanted the opponent to have the point played again, because the ball skidded on a faulty piece of ground. . "I can't serve those," he said, "the ground did it," but the "marker" called the score, amiledj and ordered them to play

on. Another player, who receiving service, laughingly said when his opponent served and started to run in, "Look at him railing in; iirst time ho has ever tried it; ho is copying my game." Needless to say, neither had a chance in the championship; their game was just one of pure fun and joke. Another player, who quickly became known as Borotra for his bounding speed and acrobatic performances on the court, not only fielded tile balls oil his own side of the net, but jumped the net to field for his opponent also. He was never still —must have run miles in chasing balls after tho rallies were over; in fact, he hardly over walked. He worried the officials until he was allowed to play three matches in succession or practically so, and, on demanding more, was told that he would be sent down to the pa for the day if he did not go away and rest. His name began with Mac, and the wag said that was why he chased all the balls, in case one might get lost. Strenuous play was the order of the day right through the tournament, and in soveral cases competitors were callod upon to play two hard matches with only a ten minutes' spell between them. Such is no; good in the women's championships, as it invariably ruins the chances of a good player, n,nd the Maori executive should in future avoid sucli pressure. Easter is iate for championships on grass, as the dew is heavy and the courts hardly dry enough for play before 10 o'clock, which make a short day. Generally speaking, the standard of play was high, and in many cases was equal with that seen at pakeha big meetings. Some thirteen teams, representing as many tribes, competed for tho Morehu Turoa Challenge Cup played under Davis Cup rules, and the Arawa team beat the Whangaimi team in the final.

players for the Horouta tribe

Junior Championship,

Thero wore many promising girls and boys in the junior singles championship, and "Huka" openly declares that the final of the boys' singles between J. Davis, of the Ngapuhi tribe, from North Auckland, and V. Wehipeihana, of the Euakawa tribe, was the finest junior contest that he has ever witnessed. Davis, who is only 16 years of age, won 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, but Wehipeihana, who is 17 years of age, and was the holder of the title, might easily turn the tables in a return match, as there is little between them. Both have a good match temperament, Davis in particular being very cool and, characteristic of the Ngapuhi tribe, declines to be bustled. He has a good first service, but his second service could be tuued up, but it is accurate, if a shade soft. His driving on both hands is good, and his low volleys and half volleys are clever. Overhead he is severe at times, and he times his rush to the net with judgment. He keeps his head low when driving and never lifts it until the follow through has been completed, very much after J. C. Peacock's • forehand drive. E. Howell, one of the best players on the ground, beat Davis 7-5, 6-4 in the tribal teams' match. E. and P. Howell (Arawa players), who are brothers, are in the final of the men's championship singles. Much that has been said about Davis applies to Wehipeihana, who possibly is faster on, the courts than the Ngapuhi boy. Players in Wellington may be able to judge for themselves as to the standard of Maori tennis as it is just possible that Wehipeihana may compete in the junior event at Miramar this Easter. Wehipeihana was not as fresh as he might have been for the final, as he played a very hard match against a good player in H. Sidney, and just won it 4-6, 11-9, 6-2. A big drink of water and the changing of a damp silk shirt for a heavy woollen jersey ruined Sidney's chances when he appeared to have the second set won. "Huka" is of the opinion that the Maori Association has in Davis and Wehipeihana two very fine juniors who are quite capable of winning the New Zealand junior championship singles. There are others also close up; C. Stewart and I. Marks in particular are most promising. Miss M. Jensen (Horouta tribe, Hicks Bay) beat Miss T. Minarapa (Arawa tribe), the holder, in the final of the girls' championship singles, and if the former player would only run instead of sauntering about .the court she would be a real good player. She led Miss Newton 5-3 in the first set of the final for the senior championship, but threw it away by not going hard after every shot, and Miss Newton, won 7-5, 6-2. The junior champion has a good variety of shots, can drive well on both hands, slices and cut (perhaps too often), and is also good overhead. Being tall and strong, she is able to send across a 'first-class service, but she appears to bo afraid to run, and consequently spoils her whole game. Miss Minarapa, on the other hand, runs and runs well, but she has not control of her strokes yet—that will conio with practice.

In the three sets ,o£ the boys' final only three double-faults were served— Davis being at fault twice and Wehipeihana once. Both these boys, Davis in particular, are natural stroke players, and their tennis future appears to be very bright.

Men's Singles,

The best players among the men appeared to be Eddie Howell (20 years of age) and Phil Howell (22 years of age), but P. H. Jones, T. E. Tiirei, D. Potae, Tukere, M. E. Jones, W. Haig, W. M'Kay, and H. Sidney also caught one's eye as being of good standard. E. Howell beat Turei, and P. Howell beat P. H. Jones in the semi-finals, and play oft" for. the championship at Eotorua. The Howell brothers play a very fine double—they beat Tukere and Potae 7-5, 8-6, 6-2, and, going on almost immediately ogaiust the Jones brothers in the semi-final, they played brilliantly to win three sets in succession. All played splendidly in tho first set, and it was a fight for the net all tho time. With all four right close in, matters were exciting, and tho umpire had all his work cut out to control the excited onlookers. In one rally at close quarters the ball passed over the net eleven times, all being sharp, short volleys; then E. Howell smashed cleverly down the centre for a clean aco. It was big tennis. The- Howell brothers surely took command, but all three sets produced championship tennis. ' The time has arrived for many of the Maori players to compete in the New Zealand championships. They arc quite good enough to beat all barring a few of tho top pakeha players, and tho experience is now what they want to further improve them. Tho Howell brothers especially would be well advised to look for that experience.

The Ladies,

Miss D. Newton, the lady champion, mostly depends upon her service and driving powers, which are above the ordinary, but her game could bo further improved if her speed of foot was given more attention. She cannot expect to go much further unless she does so. The latter part also applies to Miss Jensen. Mrs. Kiri Swan, nee Miss Kiri Hei, has the speed of foot, b,ut was hardly in good enough form, or training for a severe tournament. An illness spoilt her preparation,' and she may yet be heard of. Miss P. Bukutai is a player of great promise, and who was perhaps unfortunate at tho tournament, as after a hard singles match she had immediately to meet Mrs. Swan, who showed her best, form at the tournament in this match and won it 0-7, 3-6, 6-3. Miss Kukutai

tried to weur her opponent down, but was too' tired to do so. , Her usual hard-hitting game would have paid her better, as it was essential for her to end the match as quickly as possible. Hard practice will improve Miss Eukutai ii: she will only leave the safety-first.game alone. Spoed with, control is her game for the future, and good hard play should soon bring her to the front, but she must stop practice play as soon as she becomes tired, as she appears to think that her strength should allow her to play all day. Bad strokes creep in when a player becomes tired. Mrs. P. H. Jones and Miss Royal showed fine form, and both have good strokes. Miss Jensen, played a good semi-final against Miss Newton, but lost what chance she had by not running for short balls. Mrs. Swan beat Miss Minarapa in the- other' semi-final, 7-5, OS; the loser played a plucky game. In the final Miss Newton had command all tho time, but Mrs. Swan, although beaten-6-1 in the first set, made a plucky effort in the second set, only to lose 6-4. The winner's experience carried the day for her, and some of her shots carried groat pace—fast enough to win against any pakeha lady player, but "some" swallows do not make a summer. In summing up the tournament as a whole, the management deserves great credit, for the way in which it was run, and the players are to be ■ congratulated upon their- high standard of play. To "Huka" the tournament was an uninterrupted per.'od of pleasure and. entertainment—the meeting of many old and tho making acquaintance of many new friends. To those fortunate enough to be able to attend such a Maori gathering there is lasting impression made upon one's memory that nothing in this world can erase. Tho many kindnesses extended, tho constant endeavours to make one feel at home, and seeing (ho Maori people enjoying themselves in such sporting manner in their own games as well as at tennis is something to bo seen and novel 1 forgotten. Kia Ora.