NEW CHAMPIONS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 28, 3 February 1930, Page 15

NEW CHAMPIONS

N.Z. TENNIS TITLES

THREE TO WELLINGTON

FINAL DAY AT MIEAMAK

For the final clay of-the'New Zealand lawn tennis tournament at Miramar, on Saturday, the weather remained fine, aud tlie concluding games were played tinder almost ideal conditions. Rain fell locally uai'ly on Saturday morning, but '• the Mirumar grounds received none, or very little, for when play was resumed there were no traces of rain oil the courts, which were., in igood condition. Throughout the-tournament-the courts stood up to the t>lay well. The programme was concluded fairlijr well up to time, though there was a slight hitch in the mixed doubles, championship, .which necessitated the semi-final immediately preceding the final, but otherwise the tournament progressed smoothly, under the guidance of the members of the tournament committee, and particularly Mr. D. Murray Kean, secretary to the association, and manager of the tournament, who had an efficient helper in MrV G. G-. Hodgkins, assistant manager. _ There were many others who assisted in various ways, particularly in umpiring matches, and to these Mr. A. G. Henderson (chairman of the management committee of tlie N.Z.L.T.A.) expressed the thanks of the association at the conclusion of the day. A LARGE ATTENDANCE. Saturday \ afternoon's games drew a large attendance of the public, and by the time the men's singles was in full progress the accommodation on the two stands was taxed to the utmost. Very many of the public lined the edge of the turf, --temporary" scats'in the shape of benzine ..cases were~"much in demand. The large crowd of spectators showed, in n. markedHclegree,. the support terinis possesses among the public and testified to,, the popularity 'of -the: game.; " v -' ,1 Tlie-'men's final,- between-,DiG; France; (.Wdlington) and; 0. ■■-:Angas '(Canterbury),; wliich-.-was'. worijby, AngaS,1. jvvas' a match, nlways"interesting to'.folTovV-Angas played' an immeasurably better -.game; /than.;..he did in 'the...semi-final ::pn:-the'l', previous' day when he defeated-C./E. Malfrbyl (Wellington), and tlie match: did not go. beyond the fourth set. ""•-'.■'■■':''.■:'•:':. The final of the ladies' singles, between the two Wellington players, Mrs. W. J. Melody and Miss D. Nicholls, was not the close match anticipated. Mrs. Melody took.the first set comfortably, but the superior placings of Miss Nieholls in the next two sets prevented Mrs. Melody from winning more than four games out of the twelve. The final of the men's doubles, though a long match, went four sets only. The first and last sets (8-6 and 7-5 respectively) were hard-fought sets, in which, as in the others, the spectators were treated to tennis which was always bright and sometimes brilliant. The mixed doubles final went two sets only; The first was a hard struggle which went to 7-5, but the second finished at 6-3. -'. N. E. C. Wilson, who partnered Mrs; N. Thomson (both of Wellington), played three matches in succession during the afternoon. He was beaten in the final of the men's doubles, after which he;: played in the semi-final of the mixed doubles, and then went straight on to play: in tlie final. A GOOD PERFORMANCE. A/praiseworthy performance was that of Miss Isobel Morrison's (Canterbury), who, in winning the junior mixed doubles, title with M. Helnon, won- the 'three junior girl. r championships—the .^ singles,girls'doubles,' and-mixed doubles. * ■•' THE NEW. CHAMPIONS. The tennis champions for the 1929-30 season are:— ;^? • MEN'S SINGLES. .'. ■■~ ~ (Previous Champion, B. L. BarUcet, Auckland.) C. Angas (Canterbury). This is the first time Angas has been the singles champion o£ New Zealand; :Last season, with iMiss' M.' Spiers, .he wort the mixed championship doubles title. In 1927: he won the N.Z.L.T.A. Plate. He belongs to the Avonside Club. LADIES'SINGLES. .;. (Previous champion: JVliss, Marjorie : Macfarlane, Auckland.) Miss D. Nieholls (Wellington).' Miss Nieholls was girl champion in the 1923-24-25 seasons. This season has been a most successful one for her as she has won the .North Island championship,' the Wellington championship,: and the New Zealand championship. She is a /member of the Brougham Hill Club. . MEN'S DOUBLES. .- :; (Previous champions: E. L. Bartleet Auckland, and J. T. Laurensoir, Waikato.) D. G. France and C. E. Malfroy (Wellington). This is the first occasion on which France and Malfroy have won the title. Playing with Miss M. Spiers, France won the mixed doubles title in the 1925-26 season. ■ Malfroy won the boys' championship singles in the 1925-26 season./ France belongs to the Brougham Hill Club, and Malfroy to the Thorndon Club. LADIES' DOUBLES. (Previous champions: Misses M. Spiers. .-. and M. Wake, Canterbury.). Misses M. Wake and M. Andrew (Canterbury.) ' - - Partnered with Miss M. Spiers, Miss Wake won the title last season. This is Miss Andrew's first New .Zealand championship win. They are members of tlie United Club. . - •••■■"■ MIXED DOUBLES. (Previous champions: Misjs M. Spiers aud C. .Angas, Canterbury.) Mrs. -M. -.Thomson and N.-.-K. C, Wilson (Wellington)'. . Mrs. Thomson (nee Miss M. Tracy) won the mixed doubles title with Wilson in the ■1927 season, in which season Mrs. Thomson, partnered with Mrs. E. P. Adams, also won the ladies' doubles'title.' In the 1925 season, Wilson r pattnered withJ.. C. Peacock, won the men's doubles championship. BOYS' SINGLES, i (Previous champion: H. A. Burnett, Canterbury.) > W. G. Robertson (South Canterbury).-•■ • «, GIELS' SINGLES; . (Previous champion: Miss Ruth Taylor, Auckland.) Miss Isobel Morrison (Canterbury) BOYS' DOUBLES. (Previous champions: W. G.. Robertson and E. P. Drew, South Canterbury and Otago.) W. G. Robertson (South Canterbury) and M. Ferkins (Wellington). GIRLS' DOUBLES. ' (Previous champions: Misses M. Eliot and : M. Howe, South Canterbury and Wellington.)) Misses IsobeJ Morrison (Canterbury) and Clair Longmore (Wellington). "' JUNIOR, MIXED DOUBLES. (Previous champions:- Miss -M. Hooton ,and H. A. Barnett,' Auckland and Canterbury.) Miss Isobel Morrison (Canterbury) and M. Heenan (Mid-Canterbury).

Particulars of. the epricluding-; games on Saturday afternpon-are.as follow:— LADIES' SINGCeS FINAL. There was not the Spectacular play expected in the final of the ladies' singles between Miss D. Nicbolls (Wellington) and Mrs. W J MeTpdy (Wellington). In the first set, it appeared quite -likely that Mrs, Melody would fully extend, if not defeat, her oppon^rit,;who netted or onted more frequently than in one or two. of her pre•vidus games. When Mrs. Melody won the set, 6-3; it-was'apparent.that Miss Nicholls would have tp..plajr strenuously to make tip the leeway ;"but- few were- prepared for the exhibition which she was to give. The second set opened quietly, but it was not long before Miss Nicholls began to make plao-kigs which-found her opponent outof position. Mrß. Melody's cut drives, which had proved quite effective in the first

set, began to loose their sting, and eventually gave Miss Nicholls comparatively little trouble. Miss Nicholls won the set, 6-3, and then clinched matters by winning the final set, C-l. MEN'S DOUBLES FINAL. N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington) and A. C. Stedman (Auckland) began poorly against D. G. France and C. E. Malfroy, both of Wellington, in' the final of the men's championship doubles, but they sprang a surprise in the third set, which they won, 6-3. France and Malfroy showed better anticipation in" the first two sets, the latter, in particular, smashing and volleying beautifully. ■ The pair led their opponents ir\ in the.first.set, but Wilson and '.Stedman, with careful net play, evened at s:s,and again at CO. France and Malfroy won the next; two games and the set, 8-6. The second set was again close, but weak smashing by Wilson and short driviug by Stcdmau gave the .others the victory,. 6-4.- In the third set, Wilson aud Stedman commenced to lob, and gained points rapidly, Wilson also beginning to smash more effectively. From being 1-3,. they took five straight games and the set, 6-3. The fourth set was fought out at a hard pace, and again there was little between the pairs. Honours, however, went to France and Malfroy by. the .narrow margin of 7-5. MIXED DOUBLES FINAL. Immediately prior to playing in the final of the mixed doubles championship, Mrs. N. Thomson and N. Wilson (Wellington) played a semi-final against Mrs. W. A. Scott (South Canterbury) and A. G. Wallace (Taranaki). The Wellington pair experienced little difficulty in winning the first set, which they took 6-0. Both smashed well, and, in addition, Wallace was disappointing. The second set was more closely contested, and, though the Wellingtonians led in the early stages, their opponents managed to equalise in the fourth game. Mrs. Thomson and Wilson went on to lead 5-2, but a last desperate effort on the part of their opponents made the score 5-3. That was the last game they took, the Wellington pair taking the set at 6-2. Mrs. Thomson and Williams then met Miss -Marjofie Macfarlane (Auckland) and A. X Sandral (Wellington) in the final. Sandral's" smashing in the opening stages was: faulty, and the first game went to. the .Wellington players rather easily. Sandral's service in the second ' game proved troublesome to his opponents, and, placing: well, he made- the score 1-1. Miss Macfarlane and Sandral lobbed well over ..tire ■':rebißh> of., the .Wellington players, and. these tactics, combined with the good/smashing ,ot/Sandral, put the latter and hie partner, in the lead (3-1). In the fifth: game there was some hard driving on each side/and Wilson'took the game rather easily; .'.Wilson 'let nothing go by in the next .game', which he' also won, thus eveningI'the. score at. 3-3. The seventh game went to Sandral and Miss Macfarlane, and' also; tfie' 'next, in which there were some exciting^ rallies and hard play at the net, the score then reading 5-3 in favour of Miss Macfarlane. and Sandral. Undaunted, the Wellington players plugged on, and made the score. 54 and then 5-5. There were some particularly bright exchanges, but Wilson-and Mrs. Thomson were equal to the occasion and won the set 75. The Wellington- pair started the second set well, but their opponents -won the second game, Miss Macfarlane's driving and placing being a feature. Thereafter Wilson made no mistake with his smashing, and aided materially by Mrs.- Thomson had the lead, again Vat 2-1. Their opponents, however, were! not to be denied,/ and things did not look too promising'when the score went to 3-2, and then 3-3. That was the last "game which Miss Macfarlane and Sandral won. Mrs. Thomson and Wilson went right on their game, and, winning the next three games, took the set and match after a great rally, the match score being 7-5, 6-3. JUNIOR MIXED DOUBLES. The final of the junior mixed doubles championship, between Miss Isobel Morrison and M. Heenan (Canterbury) ' and Miss M. Eliot and W. G. Robertson (South Canterbury) was productive of some good tennis, and at times the spectators were rewarded with bright rallies. The first set was fairly evenly contested, though the Canterbury pair had to acknowledge defeat, by' 6 games to 4. They started the second set hi a determined manner, and had'little difficulty in taking

it at 0-1. Tho third set was a long struggle. With the score at 1-1, Miss Morrison scored numerous points with her cross-court driving, aud with her partner again evened at 3-3, and then went on to lead 5-3. Their opponents were battling well, the smashing of Robertson being a feature, and they floon ran to 5-5. The Canterbury pair, however, never let up, and went oa to win the next game .and take the set and match, 7-5. The concluding games . were closely contested, each side fighting hard for points. Miss Morrison was prominent at the net, and her well-placed smashes and drives played an important part in winning the match. ANTHONY WILDING CUP. Wellington won- the Anthony Wilding Memorial Challenge Cup, scoring ' more points than any other association. The.j respective totals were: Wellington, 7; Canterbury, 6; South Canterbury, 1.