LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 18502, 8 December 1923, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS

[By Eecokdee.]

A correspondent reminds mo that a new club called the Maori Hill is commencing at .'the deal’, and that as all the older clubs in Dunedin are Inti up there is now a very good opportunity for those who cannot gain .admission as members of other clubs to apply for admission to the now club. Air David Leslie is secretary pro tom. ‘'Recorder” would like to suggest to tho acting executive of tho duo that if the work of laying down courts has not been commenced, that expert opinion be obtained, so as to ensure that the courts will be on that part of the Clear best suited to lawn tennis. By expert opinion 1 mean the opinions of seasoned players who know all the requirements of the game. I referred to the proposal some weeks ago, and stressed the chief considerations, which are shelter and the lie of tho courts, which should be as near as possible X.W. to S.K. Courts on or near the edge of the cliff overlooking Woodhaugh are doomed to failure so far as first-class play is concerned. I mention the matter again, because other clubs in town have batted for years against tho wind which prevails in or around exposed positions. The visit ol tho Sydney team to Dunedin is assured, although the date is likely to be changed. The present intention is to play the match on January 5, but there is a probability of the date being altered to December 22. There can bo no two opinions that it will be in the interests of the Otago Association to have the earlier date, just before the Christmas holidays commence, and before players and supporters of tho game pack up their “old kit bags” and depart for a fortnight’s holiday. January is always a bad month for sport and business—so. many people remain out of town for weeks. Apparently tho intention is to play the match on either the Moana. or Otago Chib courts. Here, again, there can be no question as to which club’s courts are tho most suitable. If arrangements can be made to charge for admission to Moana, that should settle matters. There is ample room at the back of each court, and as our Australian tennis friends live at the net, and smash heavily, much- room will be required to enable tho opposition to get into position for the returns. The area behind two of the Otago Club’s courts is too restricted for first-class play. Many returns bound on to the pavilion roof or into the high fence, and the stop-netting at tho sides is too close. Is it too late or too expensive to arrange for three grass courts at Carisbrook, which is now in firstclass order? Arc there any A grade cricket fixtures there on either of the probable dates? The interstate match Xew South Wales v. Victoria last month brought into tho limelight some young players who seem destined to make good in the future. In tho men’s events some of the results are very interesting. Patterson and Hawkcs boat Willard Brothers, 6-2, 11-9; Wood and MTnnes beat Willard brothers, 5-7, 7-5, 6-0; Willard brothers beat Wertlieira and Fdtohett, 6-4, 6-4: Wood and MTnnes beat Kalms and Cummings, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, In the singles Hawkcs heat Cummings, 6-5, 3-6, 6-2; MTnnes beat A. Willard, 7-5, 6-3; Wood beat Kalms, 6-2, 7-5; Patterson boat Kalms, 6-2, 6-2; A. Willard beat Wertheim, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2: Plomley beat MTnnes, 6-4, 8-6. Tho final result was: Victoria, 17 rubbers ; Xew Smith Wales, 4 rubbers. The Victorian team included five Davis Cup players (Patterson, O'Ham Wood, Hawkes, MTnnes, and Wertheim). Probably the greatest surprise was tho veteran Dr Plomlcy's victory over MTnnes. Tho youthful Willards and Kalms also shaped impressively. The Sydney team now on its way to the dominion does not include any of those who played against Victoria.

Association ladder matches during the week resulted : Guy beat M'Dougall, 6-1, 6-4; Gale lost to both Duthie and Black; Bray beat Clark, 6-3, 6-2. Bray is still at the top. Smyth is, or should bo, second, and Clark’s position is vague. The Cosy Dell pair Wilkinson and Fulton now lop the doubles, having beaten Brav and Clark, 6-3, 6-2. Hero as a splendid instance of where good combination tells in doubles. The winners are much lower in the singles ladder than the losers. Bray is first, Clork fourth or fifth, Wilkinson and Fulton about seventli and tenth respectively. Clark was below his usual standard, but his great weakness in doubles which has long been evident is faulty position. To station himself ns ho does between the service and base lines is simply courting disaster in A grade tennis. It is recognised that Clark makes some miraculous returns, such as half-volleys, from that position ; but why miraculous and uncertain returns when they could bo certainties from behind the base line? The half-volley is purely a defensive stroke. There are other players in town endeavoring to exploit these barren possibilities. Give it up; its fruit is acid. Methuen and Co., Ltd., publishers. London, send 0/ copy of ‘ The Lawn Tenuis Umpire and Referee,’ by A. E. Crawley, the well-known English player, who has previously edited several books on the game. Last week “Recorder” referred to the difficulty in obtaining competent umpires in the dominion. The cover of this publication bears the following:—“ln this useful book the duties of the would-be umpire and referee-manager are described. The official laws of the game are included, and the regulations for, the draw and for 1 handicaps.” That adequately describes the little volume of sixty-three pages, and as the laws and regulations are right up to date, every umpire, player, and enthusiast should possess a copy.