LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 13090, 24 October 1908, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

The final of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Club's Men’s Singles Championship was played off at the Cranmer square courts on Labor Day between Ollivier and Gees. The first two sets went to Ollivier, bat at this critical stage the veteran Goss pulled himself together, and by fine play took the third and fourth sets even more easily than Ollivier had won the first two. The final set resolved itself into a desperate struggle, but Ollivier eventually won it and the championship. The full scores are interestin, Ollivier winning by three sets to two and 22 games to 21—6—3, 6—l, 3—6, I—6, 7—5. Both of the above players will represent Canterbury against Otago on 9th November. In the South Yarra (Melbourne) tournament. the Doubles Championship final was played, when R. Lycett and B. Spence beat Norman Brookes and S. F. Diddams, B—6, 3—6, 6—3, 6—3, thus confirming the result of the encounter between the same pairs which took place a short time previously in the interclub finals. Lvcett partnered Parker in the doubles at the New Zealand championship meeting, held in Dunedin in 1904, ( which they won. Lycett also l won the handicap singles, and with Miss Powdnll the mixed doubles handicap. Diddams was a leading player in Victoria ten years ago, and with A. W. Dunlop played at the championship meeting at Cluistohurch ffi 1900, the year Dunlop won the singles. The Strathfield (Sydney) tournament, which was referred to in last week’s notes, was continued on the 10th inst. In th? singles Horace Rice, well known in Dunedin, beat A. B. Jones, 6—l, 6—3, and meets S. N. Don it in the final for the new Challenge Cup. Rice first won this event in 1898. Rice and Campbell beat Dr Pockley and Doust in the doubles final, 7—5, 6—4. Tlie winners have to meet A. B. Jones and G. W. Wright in tlie challenge round. Wright has held this championship for the last five years. •He won it in 1903-04 ; 05 with Dr Sharp, and since then with his present partner, A. B. Jones. It will be remembered that in the singles at this tourney Parker polished him off 6—2, 6—o. The Waikoaaiti Club have joined the Association. The membership is about thirtyfive. In a letter to the president of the Association, the hon. secretary, Mr T. J. Cameron, slates that at present the members are using the old courts, but that two new grass courts were laid down lasi' winter, and will probably be in first-class order for play by the beginning of November. Town clubs who wish to spend a Saturday or holiday In the country could not do better than visit Waikouaiti. They v. iil be heartily welcomed, and have time for several hours’ play. Another club which will ba glad to receive visits is the Milton Club, wliich is almost os accessible as Waikouaiti. Will towffi clubs please keep the country clubs on the slate? Tho Hanover Club have, also thrown in their lot with the governing body, and will ■probably play in the grade matches, which begin shortly. The club occupy the courts on the Kaikorai School ground. The Sawyers Bay Club should be proud of their supporters Recently about £SO was raised in the district to improve the courts, which are now in very good order. For such a. small community the raising of the necessary funds is more than creditable. • Wealthy and thickly-populated communities like St. Clair and Morniugton should now make big efforts to obtain grounds and have courts. They are the only communities round the City without these attractions. It is understood that the Canterbury Association are unable to send any ladies to Dunedin for the fixture on the King’s Birthday.