TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 19443, 29 December 1926, Page 8

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

NEW ZEALAND TOURNEY GREASY COURTS [Per - United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, December 29. Frequent showers of rain throughout the night did not improve the condition of the Stanley Street Courts on which the New Zealand lawn tennis championships were continued this morning, play commencing a little after 10 o’clock. A light shower commenced- at 11.45, forcing the players to abandon their games for a time. Tho sun was shining through a rift in the heavy grey clouds fifteen minutes later, and though the courts were greasy it was decided to continue play. By good combination the Australian pair, North and M'Causland, quickly clinched their victory over Sims and Clark, when the match was concluded this morning. Three sets wore played late yesterday afternoon, when the A uckland pair ' made a recovery after losing tho two initial 'sets by winning the third, 64. This morning, however, they failed badly and won only eleven ‘points in seven games, and the match ended 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. Hard cross-court driving by Norman and deadly overhead work by Frank Peach was seen in the match between the New South Wales pair and Somerville and Tait. Rain interfered when the Australians wore two sets in and had a 5-4 lead in the third. Somerville and Tait forfeited at this stage and'gave tho visitors the match. The visiting pair made few mistakes, their team work being a long way superior to that of the Canterbury men. Results: — MEN’S DOUBLES. —First Round.— Dr North and M'Causland (New South Wales) heat A. W. Sims and T. E. Clark. 7-5, 0-2, 4-6, 6-1. V. A. and A. 0. Johns won from A. E. B. Richardson and E. Bell by default. .1. C. Peacock and N. R. C. Wilson (Thermion) won from A. E. M'Cracken and C. D. Warren (Hamilton) by default. F. and N. Peach beat Somerville and Tait (Canterbury), 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. F. R. Chisholm (Whangarei) and J. Watson (Remnera) heat W. J. Melody (Kelbnrn) and H. M. Major (Masterton), 6-3. 6-2, 6-2. S. Lamb and A. K. Turner (Auckland) boat R. Browning and W. S. Field (Canterbury), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. —Second Round.— Lampe (Wanganui) and France (Wellington) beat Pickmore and Charters (Whangarei), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. LADIES’ ' SINGLES. —Second Round.— Mrs Melody bent Miss Stevens, 6-1. Miss Witherow bent Miss Whitelaw, 6-2. 6-2. : LADIES’ DOUBLES. —First Round. —

Misses Knight and Colebrook (Auckland) beat Misses M'Pherson (Taumarunui) and D. Nicholls (Remuera), 6-1, 6-4. . ,