TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 December 1924, Page 6

TENNIS

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHAMPION DEFEATED

lay iemailapb. — muiss association.; AUCKLAND,- Dec. 30.

The New Zealand lawn tennis championships were continued to-day. The rain of the. morning delayed, the start of the matches till noon. The afternoon proved showery and play had to be suspended two or three times. The principal games were abondoued for the day as the result of a heavy shower at five o’clock. Conditions were- accordingly not favourable for a high standard of play. In spite of irritating delays, however, a good number of matches were played. Last year’s ladies’ singles champion, Miss Spiers, of Canterbury, met her match in Miss E. M. Ballahtyne, of New Plymouth and Otago University, a player whose clean cut victory in two straight sets over such a formidable opponent provided the surprise of the day. Miss Ballantyne’s success was full of merit, and was due primarily to her steadiness of perseverance from the opening game. At one stage in the first set the score was 5 —2 in Miss Ballantyne’s favour, while in the second, which went tO' 7 —5, she was within one point of winning the set 6 —4. However, Miss Spiers made an effort and the set went to 7 —5. Miss Spiers was evidently troubled by Miss Ballahtyne’ s persistent returns, and her game suffered in consequence. On several occasions, when she had practically the whole court in which to place her shot, she drove the hall out of court. Miss Ballantyne’s drives generally were not as strong as those of her opponent, biit she lobbed effectively and played with sound judgment. There were several long rallies. A KEEN STRUGGLE. A great struggle was that between the present holder of the men’s singles title, A. W. Sims (Waikato), and E. W. 8.. Symtli (Otago University). The first set was undoubtedly Sims’, but Symth rallied ,to take the next two sets/Sims then became more aggressive and took the next two sets with the loss of only Vivo galnes. There was not a greatdeal of difference between the players. Sims drove hard to his opponent’s backhand, but Smyth. was consistent and returned difficult balls in a convincing style. Sims varied his game well and played'up more to the net than Smyth. The_ Otago man used a stinging drive,iand'made some pretty placements. His shots were spectacular, and he .‘lobbed nicely on' occasions. Siins played better all-round tennis. A. L. Finance (Wellington), as the result of his will over Lampe (Wanganui), was' the first .mail to- reach the semifinal in the- singles. On the previous day Lampe had beaten Peacock. France took advantage of the dead court to employ his eiit stroke, and he used this principally, together with good volleying. Lamp© Was driving good length halls, and' won points by strong overhead' work. His service was also good. However, France stuck well to his game, and though , lie gave away some easy shots, wore down his opponent to win the fifth sot- with the loss of only i one ganic. Dr. Laurenson (Waikato), an exchampion. had another easy win to-day, beating Chalmers (Auckland) in three sets. U, CHAMPIONS UNDEFEATED. • In the men’s doubles Bartleet and Robson (Auckland), the holders of the title, beat Johns and Johns (Auckland) in three sets. The losers linide their best effort in the first set, and 24 games were played before Bartleet and .obson won it at 13—11. The-other two sets were taken much more easily. Lowry (Hawke’s Bay) and Andrews (Palmerstoii North) were decidedly the better pair in their match, against Sheppard and Glaiiville (Christchurch), .The former won with the loss of .one 's-et. Neither Christchurch player was consistent at the beginning, and nifide far too many mistakes, though: they rallied, later.

In the ladies’ doubles, the champions, Mrs W. J.. Melody (Wellington) and Miss. J. McLaren (Otago) have reached the semi-final. They have not yet had a serious match.

The holders of the combined doubles title, Robson and Miss Marjorie-Mac-farlane (Auckland), beat P'ickmore and Mrs Arneil (Whangarei) in two sets. The game was quite a good one. Rickmore volleyed well. A. Bartleet .and Mrs Marshall had little difficulty ih defeating the other Auckland pair, V. R. Johns and Miss B. M. Kniarht, in two sets. The winners showed general superiority, Rartleet being thet best of the foiur players. Retailed results of to-day’s play are: MEN’S SINGLES. ' Third round.—Sims (Waikato) beat Smyth (Otago), 6—l, 3—6, 2—6, 6—l, 6—l; Laureason (Matamata) beat Chal(Auckland) 6—fl, 6—2, 6—o; D. G. France (Wellington) beat Jackson (Auckland) 6 —3, 6—B, 6 —o, 6—l. Fourth round-. —A. L. France (Wellington) beat Lampe (Wanganui) 6 —4 5 5—7. 6—3, 6—l. MEN’S DOUBLES. First round.—A. L. and D. G. France (Wellington) beat Wright (Matamata) and Robinson (Auckland) 6 —o, 6—2, 6 Doidge and McGregor (Auckland; beat Pickmore and Peat (Whangarei). 4 —6, 6—4. 9—7, 6—4; Bartleet and RobsQn (Auckland) beat Chalmers and Entwistle (Auckland) 6—4, 6—o, 9—7; Lowry (Hawke’s Bay) and Andrews (Palmehston N.) beat Sheppard and Glanviile (Canterbury) 6—2. 6 —3, 4—6. 6—l. " ’ Second round.—Smyth (Otago) and Fotheringham (Auckland) beat Jackson and Knott (Auckland) 6—l, 6—3, 6 2: Bartleet and Robson beat Johns anc Johns (Auckland) 13 —11, 6 —3, 6 —l: France and France beat Doidge and McGregor 6—2, 7—5, 10—8. third round.—The match, between Ollivier and Seay (Canterbury) and Laiireiison (Matamata) and Griffiths (Auckland) is unfinished. Ollivier am] Seay are leading bv two sets to. one. 4—6. 8-6, 6—2 ‘ ladies’ Singles. First round.—Miss Eerrier (Canterbury) beat Miss Wiihcrow (Auckland) o—l, 6—2. Second round—. Miss McLaren (Ota«o) beat Miss Macfar}ane (Auckland) 6—o, 6—3; Airs Melody (Wellington) beat Miss Witherow (Auckland) 6—o, 6—o; Miss Bqllantyne (N4w Plymouth and Otago University) beat Miss Spiers (Canterbury) 6—4. 7—5; Aliss Eerrier beat Aliss Cotterill (Canterbury) 6 —o, 1 5; Airs Ameil (Whangarei) beat Aliss La wry (Auckland) B—6, 6—l. LADIES’ DOUBLES. First round.—Aliss Nutting (Taranaki) and Aliss Nicholls (Auckland) heat Aliss Good and Aliss Crane (Whangarei) 6—4, 6—3; Aliss Llovd (N.SiAV ) and Aliss Knight (Auckland) beat Miss Ballaiityne (Otago) and Aliss Witherow (Auckland) 7—5, 6—2; Aliss At. Cato and Aliss B. Cotterill (Canterbury) beat Miss La wry aiid Aliss Worrill ‘(Auckland) 6 —4, 4 —6. 7 —5.

Second round.—Airs Alelody (Wel-lington)-anil Aliss McLaren" (Otago) beat Misses C'olebrook and Frankliam (Auckland) 6—o. 6 —2.

COMBINED DOUBLES. Second round.—-Bartleet and Mrs Marshall (Auckland) beat Johns and Miss M. Knight (Auckland) 6 —3, 6 —2 ; Robson and Miss Macfarlane (Auckland) beat Pickmore and Mrs M. Arneil (Whangarei) 6 —3, 6—2; Knott and Miss Nieholls (Auckland) beat Robinson and Miss Witherow (Auckland) 7 —5, B—6; Wallace (Taranaki) and Mrs Melodv (Wellington) beat Fotheringham and Miss Macfarlane (Auckland) 6—4, 6—2.