LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

[By Recorder.]

FIXTURES. February 10.—Otago v. Southland, at Logan Park courts, Dunedin. February 17.—Otago v. North Otago, at Oamarii. March 3.—Otago v. South Canterbury,- at Timaru. March 3.—Southland v. North Otago, at Logan Park-courts, Dunedin. Easter Dates.—South Island and Otago championships and handicap tournament, at Logan Park, Dunedin. Interisland Matches. The results of the first match of the second round of the intermediate grade places three teams equal for first place —namelv, St. Clair, St. Mary’s, and St. Andrew’s, but the former team has played a match less than the other two teams. St. Mary’s team suffered its second defeat for" the season when it lost by 11 matches to 5 against St. Clair. For St. Clair Miss M. Ponsford, Booth, and lliihen played well to win all their matches. The St. Clair men won the majority of their matches, and in the men’s doubles both pairs showed better combination tbau their opponents. It was in the ladies’ matches,however, that some of the best tennis was witnessed, and several of the ladies of both clubs showed that they are equal to a number of ladies at present playing A grade. Interest in the Nga Maara-St. Andrew’s match was maintained till the last stroke was played. The final and deciding match was the combined double between Morrison jand Miss Smith (St Andrew’s) and Beard and Miss Rice (St. Mary’s). At the commencement of this match St. Mary s were leading by 8 sets 100 games to 7 sets 98 games. St. Andrew’s had therefore to win by at throe games for victory and this the St. Andrew’s pair did by the safe margin of four games. To the St. Andrew's ladies and to Morrison for the splendid game be played in the final match must go the credit of turning what atone stage looked like defeat into a narrow victory. The Rt. Andrew’s men managed to win only one event, the first men’s double, but their ladies evened the match by losing only one event. ■ Unfortunately it is again noticeable that club captains of winning teams are failing in their duty to send in to the papers the results of their matches. Captains should consider that many others apart from the members of their team, especially their own club members, are interested in results of their matches, , In the B 1 grade North-east Valley continued its unbeaten round by easily accounting for Anderson’s Bay. while in the C l grade Kaituna gained a 16 lov- victory over St, Mary’s. In this latter grade the two loading teams. Kaituna and North-east Valley, do not meet till the final round, and it would appear that interest will be well maintained till this final match is played. Notes. Otago's first representative match of the season will be played to-morrow at Logan Park against Southland. The Otano team represents Otago s full strength, and all are players who have had previous representative experience. Miss Banford is the only member ot the team who has not previously played for Otago, but she has for a number of seasons represented Southland in most matches. The Southland team, in which there are a number of promising young players is sure to give a good account of itself, and some high class tennis should he witnessed. Falconer goes into the Otago team in place ot Guy, who was not available. The attendance of players for coaching last Monday evening at Logan Park was very poor, their being only about sixteen players present, As there were ten conchas present, all of whom have given up thoir Monday evenings to assist it is not verv encouraging to see such a poor attendance of players, and the opinion was freely expressed that unless the players take more interest coaching should cease. It is therefore un to those players who have been given this opportunity to be coached to make every endeavour to he present on Monday next.

H. Hopman, who defeated the Englishman H. G. Lee in the first test at Svdnev after being in the impossible position of love five in games and 15-40, suggests that his run towards success against Lee was the luckiest stroke of his career. He writes in the ‘ Herald ’: “In the last game of the second set I played a shot which will be the luckiest of my tennis life. I advanced to the net after a short volley and rushing to the opening where 1 thought Lee would hit, held the racket in defence. The ball struck the throat piece and went back for a winner.”

Are American tennis players too serious? (asks ‘American Sport ’)•• “The, tennis situation in America has grown too serious. There should be sonic inn in the game. We realised this when Fred Perrv visited us. He provides it. He not on'lv provides, fun for the spectators but'ho seems to enjoy the game himself. This is strictly against the American code, hut perhaps that code needs revision. Our players go on the court with set lips, grim faces, and deep determination. Some of them are as cheerful as if they were marching straight to the gallows. A light-hearted attitude is considered disgraceful, somethin" in the nature of contempt of court. But this Perry chap goes along combining light laughter with heavy volleying. America’s Davis Cup team trained for months and worked hard to win the trophy. But he who laughed last was Fred Perry.” A number of ladder matches have been plaved during the week, resulting as follows M'Dongall beat Pearce, 6-,'l 7-5; Pollock beat Rawlinson, 7-5, 6-o Falconer beat E. A. Pearce, 6-2, 6- Hawlinson beat Falconer, 5-7, 6-4, 7-

M'Dougal) gained his first victory for the season over Pearce last week, and is now first man on ladder. In this match the Roslvn man gave one of his best displavs.' M'Dongall concentrated on

.is opponent’s backhand, and with deep -veil-placed drives found Pearce’s weakness. In the second set M'Dougall was lown 2-5, but he never let up, and was continually forcing the Otago hampion into errors. . ■ No more keenly contested ladder natch has been seen than that which was played between Rawlinson and Falconer for sixth place on the ladder. It was evident early in this match that both players were overkeen to win, as in the result of this match the winner would be assured of a place in the Otago team against Southland. Unfortunately the match was started without an umpire, and a number of decisions were disputed, and it was not until the third set when M'Dougall took the box that harmony was restored. After watching this match and seeing the effect it had on, the players, the writer is certain that players cannot do themselves justice without having an umpire in the box. This is a matter for the. association, and a rule that no .ladder challenges be played without an umpire should be made. TENNIS UNION, The first round of the D grade competition has now been completed, with Forbury B the winners. The complete results are:—

With a substantial lead in the first round and four matches to play in the second round Forbury B appear to be well on the way towards ■winning the competition, although both Aotea B and St. Kilda Methodists B (particularly the latter) will now be found much more difficult to defeat than in the first round. llavensbourne B defeated Dundas Street Methodists in the only B grade match set down for Saturday.. The latter team is playing in the' union competition for the first season, and is somewhat unfortunate in having been placed in a grade above its strength. The llavensbourne team has improved considerably in its most recent games, and may be expected to win many sets from Macandrew Road later in the competition. Kaikorai B placed another good win to its credit by defeating Kensington B by 13 sets to 3. By defeating Mrs Foote 6-3 Miss Sinclair (Ka,korai) maintained her unbeaten record for the season, Miss M'Neill (Kensington), who played a, very steady game against Miss Buchler, was the only lady to win her singles. Mrs Foote, dominated the game in the first ladies’doubles, serving and volleying weL, She was mainly responsible for Kensington’s win 6-4. The second men a singles was a marathon. Bell (Kensington) led 5-3, but Hoare drew level and eventually won 9-7 alter a great, struggle, which the heat made particularly trying. Jones (Kaikorai) outclassed Galloway, serving and driving accurately to win. 6-0. He. is a very promising player and receives .'muon assistance from the coaching given him. Three set-winners were Keay, Hoare, and Jones, and Misses Orr and Beveridge (Kaikorai). Kiwi A and. Musselburgh Presbyterians were easy winners, defeating Normal and First Church respectively. Normal found.it impossible to field its usual team, and. this was doubtless responsible to some extent for.,its defeat. The results of the O grade competition to date arenas follow,:.— .ul

Several C grade matches are still unplayed, and as it is obviously in the interest of the teams concerned.to have them finished every effort should be made to play these matches at an early date. ■ it is suggested that as there are tew Saturdays remaining teams should arrange to play these matches during the week. The matches referred to are the following:—St. Kilda Anglican A v. Ravensbourne C, Aotea A v. Firsts Church, Ravensbourne C v. Normal, St.Kilda Anglican A v. Mosgiel A, Fire Brigade A v. Kiwi A. /, Recent ladder challenge results are as follow:—Galbraith (Knox Church), defeated Hayward (Knox Church), 9-2,-and Jones (Kaikorai) defeated Laurie (Tainui), 9-5. The ladder now stands as follows; —S. Gourley (Kaikorai), P. H. Jones- (Kaikorai), J. Laurie (Tainui), L. Galbraith (Knox), J. Hayward (Knox), M. Elder (Kensington), A* Miller (Ravensbourne), Alcorn (Normal), F. Dixon (Kaikorai), J. Wallace (Knox), R. Facer (Ravensbourne)* O’Driscoll (Macnndrew Road), J. Taylor (Aotea). J. Thomas (Kaikorai), E.Hill (Knox), and F. Sims (Kensington) . Have your racket rcstrung.at these sport* depots and specify Edwards’s Gut, used exclusively by Crawford, world’s champion; —Guvs Ltd , Paterson and Barr. Ltd., Wal. ter Sstrang Ltd., Otago Sports Depot.—! [Advt.] . ■ - .

P. W. L. Pts, Forbury B 7 , 7 — 14 Aotea B ... 7 5 2 10 St. Kilda Methodists B 7 5 2 10 Wakari B ... 7 4 3 8 Kiwi B 7 3 4 0 Anderson’s Bay B 7 3 4 6 Kensington C 7 1 '6 a St. Kilda Anglican B ... 7 — 7 —

P. W; J U. Pts.Musselburgh Presbyterian . ; ••• 7 6 ■1 !2 Aotea A ... ... G 5 ‘l IB Kiwi A ... ... 6 5 1 0 Mosgiel G 4 2 S Anderson's Bay A ... 7 „ 3 ‘ 4 6 Normal 6 3 3 6 Fire Brigade ... ... ... 6 2 4 4 First Church B 6 1 5 3 St. Kilda Anglican A 6 1 4 3 Ravensbourne C ... ... 5 — 5 —