LAWN TENNIS NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 14226, 27 November 1909, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS NOTES

The A Grade match Kaitnna v. Balmacewen last Saturday provided several very close matches. IT S. Brown, after an absence of several weeks, again wielded the racquet, hut lie was obviously out of form. Playing with M'Kerrow against Braithwaite and Sinclair, they, however, made a very good stand, and with a little luck they should have won three games which they ultimately lost. The winners by no means gave a convincing display, although Sinclair, who was making his first appearance for the Fvaituna Club, got in some nice strokes at the net. S. N. Brown and Boyd were very consistent against Tomlinson and Bray. Both Brown and Bray made some fine smashes, Bray being very deadly. Tomlinson should make a-finer player than he is yet. He has strength, reach, and agility, and his service is one of the host in town, although lie has a slight penchant for foot faults. Boyd, who is one of the veteran brigade, retains his form and is essentially a safe player—and always an excellent partner. In the combined, iii which lie was well supported by Aliss J. Stewart, he quite nonplussed Aliss Davies—Tomlinson’s partner —with his tricky, twisty underhand serves—a relict of the old grass court (lays, and a very useful weapon in mixed doubles. Although Steve Brown and Aliss Church fought their hardest they wore no niatch for Braithwaite and Miss Campbell, whose steadiness wore the others down. Sinclair and Miss Marks, as expected, beat R. Brown and Aliss "Wilson, but they had to play at top all the time. Bray and Aliss Lester accounted for Af‘Kerrow and Miss Barron, but good play was almost impossible owing to the middle court being much exposed to the prevailing high wind—in fact, throughout the afternoon the cold wind was very troublesome. Owing to want of practice IT S. Brown pin veil second single, so Braithwaite met &. X. Brown, and alter a close set all through—practically game for game—the Kaitnna man had the pleasure of being led in a winner, which he well deserved, as ho made many splendid strokes. Some of Ids returns of the. service into the left court were quite beyond even S. N. —and the latter is hard to match in that quarter. Moreover, the winner kept the hall as much as possible to his opponent’s weakest point—the forehand. Brown, it must be admitted, did not play at Ids host. His return of Braithwaite’s slow second service wax unaccountably weak-—mostly into the net—a failing which lie also showed against, Goss three weeks ago. This is a new lapse for the Balmacewen plngger, hut it will soon be. remedied. It cost him the set in this case. Although R. S. Brown was not at his best, he was superior to Sinclair, hut the latter managed to keep on terms till 4 all was called. The wind greatly interfered with tliis match, but Brown overcame its force by hard hitting. Bray had difficulty in getting rid of APKerrow’s attentions—the wind suits the Balmacewen player’s strokes and makes him a tough nut to crack. Boyd and Tomlinson had a prolonged tussle, in which the veteran finished up with about half a stroke to the good. The light by this time was very bad. Alissos Campbell and Lester were, of course, too good for their respective opponents, Alissos Church and Barron in the singles, hut tile hitter played up very pluckily. The Balmacewen ladies have greatly improved since last season. It is understood that the Otago Club teams A and B won both their matches, hut tin' winners wore evidently too done up to compile a few lines for the Press giving details. The Port ground has quite a name for spoiling reputations. Less than a fortnight ago Dr Borrie’s reputation suffered heavily at the hands of APKorrow. Now the medico revenged himself on J. F. Eivcn (Otago), who lost 1)—8. Bundle had a close 9—7 match with Banchop, but when Bundle and Ewcn met Borrio and Banchop in the doubles the latter pair were extinguished 9—l. Jones and Pnrchas eacli won their singles and their doubles, plaving together. Jones and AI iss Royse and Pnrchas and Miss Alaclean won their mixed doubles, but to make confusion worse confounded Bundle and Aliss Hislop were, beaten InBorne and Miss Stevenson 9—G, and Banchop and Airs Stewart scored over Ewcn an d A 1 iss L. Alackerras 9—J. In the ladies’ doubles each side won one set at (3—o each, but the Otago ladies won both singles. The only known score in the Otago B Grade v. Alosgiei is that Aliss Renton (Alosgiel) easily heat Otago’s first lady. Aliss Renton has not been beaten for several seasons, so it is understood. Her cut strokes mow down all opposition easily. From all accounts schoolboys’ tennis is in a decline. Nobody seems to know and nobody cares. Last year’s schools’ champion, Gerald Black,’plays for Roslyn C team, and in half a dozen sets played he has won easily each time. Where are Hie other boys of last season? A great deal of discussion is taking place locally as to the proper application of the new rules regarding foot faults. AVe shall shortly fully discuss this important matter, which is of interest to all players.