TENNIS.

Evening Star, Issue 12365, 1 December 1904, Page 3

TENNIS.

[By Smashes.] The local Association, at a recent meeting, expressed their feelings in no uncertain manner in regal'd to the holding cl other tournaments in Auckland and Napier while the championships are on in Dunedin during Christmas. The New Zealand Council are undoubtedly to blame for not consulting the feelings of tlie local body in the matter before granting permission to the above associations to bold tournaments; and it is more than probable that the Otago Association would have “declined with thanks ” the opportunity of holding the championships here had they been aware of these counter attractions being arranged in the North Island. The fact that the Ashburton Club were debarred last year from holding a tournament under exactly similar circumstances naturally led one to believe that such a precedent established would be adher ed to, but such has not been the cose. It is all very fine for tho New Zealand body to write down stating it will make no difference whatever; in fact, will have a stimulating effect on the gams in other centres, etc. Provincial tournaments should only be allowed at times other than Christmas—Easter, for example, which is the most suitable of all: at least such has been the experience in Otago. Local news in sport always demands first attention, and the interest which would have been centred in the championship meeting will now be diverted to reading accounts of other tournaments held in the province in which the reader resides. The whole solution would be to hold provincial 'hhumPionahips in each of tho chief centra? at Christmas and abolish tho New Zealand championships altogether, in preference to the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. Tennis players who wish to uphold thd honor and glory of their province should do their utmost at. Ghrirtmas to make the championship' meeting a success. If they go they can bo certain of seeing a high standard of ploy, which will do them more good probably than two months’ practice on their own courts with indifferent players. Although players are not entering in any of the events, they should make it their business to bo present during the meeting. The Port Chalmers Club, I hear, have a very good average team, this year. Muster.?, a Homo player of some repute, has thrown in his lot with them while his ship is in port (six weeks or two months). Ho is out of practice a good deal, but will not take long to gelt back to form. P. Leonard, a Naseby player, has also joined, and should help to strengthen the team considerably. Tho rest- of the team are composed of the same well-known enthusiasts—viz.. Dr Borne, Bauchop, Platts, and Hunter. It was a delightful day on Saturday, when the first grade match of the season was played on the Kaituna courts. The N.E. Valley Club tried conclusions with the Hill Club, and, to the surprise of all, went down by sixty games. It was not, of course, expected that the Valley would beat Kaituna, but it was at Fast thought that they would make a much closer fight of it. They amply went all to pieces in almost every event, which clearly showed they were either deficient in practice cr suffered from “ stage fright ” to a large extent. The Brown brothers were in their usual form, playing carefully and consistently right through. They easily disposed of Irvine and- Boyd in the Doubles, which was only to bo expected, when it is considered that P-oyd plays about one game in every six weeks and hie occupation excludes .him almost entirely from gaining form. Irvine played well, but could not be expected to bold up both sides of the court at once. Altogether, their combination was much inferior to that of the Kaituna’s pair. Braithwaito and Seelye did not seem to have much difficulty with Borne and MlKerrow. It was generally supposed that the Valley players would have come out on top, but they fell away, being beaten badly. The third donb l s—Thttersfiold and Cook (Valley)—also fell unexpected victims to Grnar and Uren. The Singles, with the exception of Borne v. Braithwaite, were one long succession of wins for Kaituna. R. Brown beat P. Boyd 9 to 4. This game was a good one to watch, the accurate placing and driving of Brown and the beautiful back-hand shots and volleys of Boyd being special features. If Bovd could only get into form he would be a hard man to beat. Single play is undoubtedly bis forte. He pi -ys ribht to the finish, and is never beaten until the Let stroke is played. Irvine plaved with bard luck against S. N. Brown, although at the same time, on form, the best man won. He seemed to have the greatest knack for repeatedly hitting the top of the net. without going over right through tb© game. MTverrow seemed to be clean off ; he never once during the afternoon showed even average form. Eorrie managed to beat Braithwaite. after a verv interesting game. Tattersfield and Cook were both beaten in their singles. Miss Mark?, the first Valley kdy, had not much difficulty in disposing of Mbs Brown, although tho latter lady has made remark ible st'fdes in the same during the last two years. Her back-hand plav was greatly admired. In the Ladies’ Doubles Messrs Marks and E. Murray (Va.llev) just ma.-na.mcd to squeeze home, 6—5. aqainst Mbses Brown and Wood, and Misses J. and A. Stewart (Valiev) went down before Misses Davies' and Bridger.

Misa -Murray {Valley) was rattier unexpectedly beaten by MSw Davjea, The Valley were looked upon as {airly strong in tho Cyombmed Doubles, bat in these events, as in all the others, they fared no better. Irvine and Miss Marks met their Waterloo at the hands of ,S.' N. Brown and his sister. This was a big surprise, as the Valley pair are recognised as- a good combination, and usnhlly take a lot of beating. Miss Marb seemed to have lost all control of the racquet, and • played «q to the opposing gentleman at- the net -with unerring regularity, the result being ■an unrifturuable smash., This seems very unaccountable, as Miss Marks can lob most accurately, and knows the combined gome as well as any lady In Dunedin. Miss Brown had not much to do, but the small amount was done fairly well. The game was won by S. N. Brown’s net play. The. same remark applies to Miss Murray in . the second combined with P. Boyd against R.Brown and Miss Wood. This lady hn« a firm low fore-hand drive, but it invariably goes the same direction, therefore B. Brown simply made short work of it at the net on every occasion. Boyd is not a combined player. Ho cannot smash or volley with sufficient certainty, nor does ho seem to study his position on the court. M’Ketrow and Miss A. Stewart and Bomoand Miss J. Stewart were each beaten in thedr respective games. It is not necessary here to offer any advice to the players engaged on Saturday. Their own good sense will tell them where they made mistakes. ■ They are all more or less players of some experience, and not be required to ba told how to play. Nervousness and want of confidence were, the principal causes of the poor display. I advise the Valley to go m for mare hard pla.y,_ open out, and Ajaregiud the desire to Ain in an ordinary practice game in favor of learning how to drive hard and smash from any position on the court. Although the Kaitima were the victors by a substantial major.ty, the foregoing remarks equally apply to them. The Kaitima B grade players met the Valley B on the loiters courts on Saturday, and beat them by twenty-five games. I have not received any' details to hand yet re this match. The Roalyn dub open their courts on •Saturday next. Let us hope they have good weather. The Otago v. Port match was postponed from Saturday last to some future date; likewise the B grade match Roslvn v. Otago. Mr W. H. Irvino informs us that he has just received a number of New Zealand l.awn Tennis Association’s hand books for 1904, compiled and edited by Sir Geo. N. Goldie, the genial secretary of the New Zealand Association. It will be a useful book in the hands of any tennis player, as it gives a record of the game in New Zealand from the inception of the main body to the present time, as well as giving all part.culars as to the laws of the game and useful hints to players. Copies may be obtained from all secretaries of clubs or from .the bon. secretary of the Association.