TENNIS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 December 1926, Page 6

TENNIS.

HAiWERA OPEN TOURNAMENT I STIRRING FINALS. POWDRELL BROTHERS WIN DOUBLES.

The open tennis tournament conducted by the Ilawera Lawn Tennis and Croquet. Club was continued yesterday. Great expedition was shown and most of the events have been carried to then-semi-final or final stages. There was a <r o od attendance of the public. _ The weather was sunny and encouraging to good tennis. The committee kept things moving, and, assisted by a fine spirit among the players, were able to bring the completion of the tournament within sight to-day. The standard ,of tennis played, and that is the primary consideration from a tennis point of view, has been much above the average seen in Ilawera, and compares well with the form shown in much larger centres. The tournament has been dominated by the Powdrell familv, who have given displays approaching the level of their better years, especially in men’s doubles play. The brothers Arthur and Stanley are no longer young, but the youngsters ox the meeting were tired and eliminated before their .successful and more frequently called upon elders showed signs of flao-ging. Yesterday revealed btanley Powdrell as the central figure of the gathering. Though under doctor s orders to forego tennis for some time, and having had little practice till a week ago, he has revealed a stamina not equalled even by his robust brother Arthur. Stanley Powdrell has a goon match temperament. Fluctuation of spirit and emotion or enthusiasm is never apparent. Nothing interferes with his serenity. His brother is dominated by much thes amc characteristics, but they are embodied in a generally unsliakeable good humour, which, though not a weakness at all, docs, not -rive"him the unsliakeable quality in a pinch which so often gives the elder Powdrell a match point. Stanley Powdrell yesterday reached the final or the singles, and won the men’s doubles with his brother. He is still Li He mixed doubles. Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman contributed to the family success. They won the championship doubles, and Mrs Bfiikman showed up well in the championship singles. The pair are still m the ladies’ handicap doubles, and Mrs Whitehead and Whitehead arc lett in the mixed handicap doubles. The semi-finals of the men’s singles ’saw the easv elimination of C. L. C. Smith and Torrens by S. Powdrell and Rhodes-Williams respectively.

The final of the ladies’ championship singles between Mrs Grant and Miss B. Nutting was a well contested event, in which the leading local player bore Ilawera’s honours into the third set before being vanquished by a more experienced opponent. Miss Nutting opened encouraging, with a game costing her but 15. The second game equalled the score, and the players won alternate games until 3 all was called. The next two went to Mrs Grant. A rally by Miss Nutting gave her the ninth game after a couple of deuces, but the set fell to her opponent after deuce in the next. . Miss Nutting lead by 3 to 1 m the second set, but Mrs Grant won eight points out of the eleven in the next two games, and equalled the tally. The next two games went without muci: trouble to the local player. With the score 5 —3 against her, Mrs Grant put up a determined stand, and it was onl v after deuce had been called four times that Miss Nutting won the game ana the set, equalising the score. Mis Grant opened the third set very stronglv and lead 3 —o, scoring twelve points to four. The score was s—l5 —1 before Miss Nutting got her next and las„ o-ame leaving victory with Mrs Grant with a score of 6—4. 3—6, 6—2. The ladies ’ championship doubles final was fought out between Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman on the one -hand and Mesdames Heald and Campbell on the other. The opening set was a close one. The first two games went, to Mesdames Heald and Campbell, after which Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman took four games running. The 4 —2 lead was equalled before Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman got within a close “cooee” of set. A stout reaction from their opponents made the games 5 all; then Mrs Barkman took her service at the cost of 15, and with it the first set. In the second set Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman maintained their ascendancy, and lost only the third and sixth game. The match of the day was undoubtedly the encounter between S. and A. Powdrell and G. Wills and Torrens. It went to the limit of five sets. The Powdrells led by two sets, and it looked their match. They were playing with great precision. Arthur Powdrell’s backline smashes were good and his forehand drive with its top spin was working well. Stanley Powdrell’s air work was very accurate. The rallies were well sustained, and the tennis reached a high level. With the score so much against them, Torrens and Wills produced a higher grade of tennis than had been expected of them. Wills at net, with his high bouncing smashes, made the best- of all chances Torren’s all round stroke play offered him. For one who gets little practice, Torrens showed remarkable consist ency. The younger players opened the third set by taking the first three games, and though their opponents improved their position to 4—3, they could not stay the younger players ’ winning vein, and lost the set 0 3 The lourt.li set also went to Wills and Torrens, after the Powdrells had lead a—3. By this time the match had occupied no less than 47 games, and this after the players had scarcely left the courts since early in the morning. A two-minute adjournment wuS made and then the contestants came back for the final set. When youth might have expected to wear down age. -the remark able stamina and match-winning characteristics of the Powdrells enabled them to gain the ascendancy early in the set. They led 3 —l, then dropped a game, but it was the last AVills and Torrens won. A. and K. Powdrell won the match bv 7 —5. S—<i. 3—6. 5—7. 6—2.

Additional results of yesterday’s play are:— MEX ' S CII AMPIONSHTP SING-LE S. Semi-finals —S. Powdrell beat C. L. C Smith 6—l, G —>2; Bliodes-Williams beat Torrens 6—l, B—6.8 —6. LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES Final —Mrs Grant beat Miss B. Nutting' 6 —4, 3—6, G —2.

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Semi-finals —Torrens and G. Wills beat Grant and Harrison G—l, 6—o; S. and A. Powdrell beat Sellar and IT. Wills 6—2, 5—7, G—2.

Final —S. and A. Powdrell beat L Torrens and G. Wills 7 —5, B—6, 3—G. 5 —7, 6—2.

LADIES ’ CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Final —Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman beat Mesdames Heald and Campbell 6—5, 6 —2. MEN’S HANDICAP SINGLES. A Grade. Second round—T. Jones (25) beat G. Hawker (20) 70—67; Leeee (20) beat Woollams (15) 70—68; A. J. Christie beat J. Jones (25) 70—67; E. Whitehead (22) beat W. Rudge (22) 70—62. Third round—lnnes (15) won from McFarlane (20) scratched; G. Wills (8) beat T. Jones (25) 70—64; Kururangi (15) beat B. W. Svme (20) 70—60; A. ,T. Christie (25) beat Beattie (15) 70—62; E. Whitehead (22) won from 11. G. Brodie (30) scratched. Fourth round —L. Berg (10) beat Innes (15) 70—65; E. Whitehead (22) boat A. J. Christie (25) 70—54. . B Grade. Final —J. McCarthy (25) beat Lambic (8) 70—48. LADIES’ HANDICAP SINGLES. First round —Mrs Campbell (9) beat Miss H. Wilson (20) 50—44. Second round —Miss Bell (10) won by default. Third round Miss Bell (10) beat Miss Taplin (25) 50—40; Miss Graham (20) beat Mrs Berg (4) 50—47; Mrs Heald (7) beat Mrs Rudge (10) 50—44; Miss Knight (12) beat Miss Baker (20) 50—37. Fourth round —Mrs Marshall (15) beat Miss Burgess (12) 50—33; Miss Graham (20) beat Miss Knight (12) 50—36.

MEN’S HANDICAP DOUBLES. Second round —Dorward and Leeee (20) won from Berg and Richards (10), scratched; M. Collins and C. Collins (12) beat Woods and Goodson (35) 70—69.

Third round —Innes and Lambie (27) beat Meuli and Campbell (20) 70 —47: Hawkins and Beattie (12) beat Grant and Harrison (8) 70 —55; C. A. L Smith and Palmer (?5) .beat Blythe and Hetet (40) 70 —69; Couchman and Rudge (32) beat Dorward and Leeee (20) 70 —55; Sellar and Wills (15) beat Billows and Newton (30) 70 —56. Fourth round —Hawkins and Beattie (12) beat Couchman and Rudge (32'' 70—65; T. and J. Jones beat Syme and Svme (24) 70—66; Sellar and Wills (15) beat C. A. L. Smith and E. A. Palmer (25) 70—69. LADIES’ HANDICAP DOUBLES. Second round —Misses Nutting and Burst (16) beat Mesdames Collins and Trotter (20) 60—51; Mesdames Berg and Rudge (7) beat the Misses Baker (15) 60 — 52; Mrs Grant, and Miss Nutting (scr) beat Misses Whittington and Burgess (12) 60—4 S; Mesdames Whitehead and Barkman (scr) beat Misses Hotter and McDonald (25) 60—42.

Third round —Mesdames Marshall and Hetet (15) beat Misses Buist and M. Nutting (16) 60—39; Mesdames Barkman and Whitehead (scr) won from Mrs Woollams and Miss Powdrell (10), scratched; Mesdames Rudge and Berg (7) beat Misses Blague and Hill (20) 60 —54. COMBINED HANDICAP DOUBLES. First round —Hawkins and Miss Warren (10) won by default; J. M. Collins and Mrs Collins (13) beat Woods and Miss Blythe (30) 60—56; C. A. L. Smith and Miss -Clague (2-2) won by default. Second round —Couchman and Miss Nickel (33) won by default; P. 11. Jones and Mrs Hetet (9) beat B. McCarthy and Miss Blair ( —) 60 —57 ; Hawkins and Miss Warren (10) beat C. Collins and Mrs Campbell (9) 60—53; Whitehead and Mrs Whitehead (11) beat Berg and Mrs Berg (7) 60 —35; Grant and Mrs Grant (6) beat Chrystal and Miss Wilson (33) 60—50; Harrison and Miss Robertson (10) beat D. A. Syme and Miss Tayler (25) 60 —59. Third round —Rudge and Mrs Rudge (.15) beat Hawken and Miss D. Ilawken (IS) 60 —57; Meuli and Miss D. Baker (22) beat Couchman and Miss Nickel (33) 60 —48; Hay-Campbell and Miss Buist (18) beat Harrison and Miss Robertson (10) 60—46. Fourth round—'Meuli and Miss Baker (22) beat Couchman and Miss Nickel (33) 60—48.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHISP. SP ECTACULAR G AIMES. SOME INTERESTING MATCHES. fUY TKLKGKAPH—:Pit,ESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 29. Spectacular and exciting tennis was revealed at the Stanley Street courts to-day, when the second day’s play of the New Zealand championship tournament took place. As on the first day, the courts were slightly slippery at the opening of play, as the result or overnight rain, but, with the exception of a short halt on account of rain, play continued uninterruptedly. The courts dried quickly and played well, although inclined to cut up somewhat under the stress of the heavy programme. The field in the men’s singles championship has been reduced to eight players,w ho are drawn to meet tomorrow as follow : Dr. A. L. North (New South Wales) v. A. G. Wallace (Taranaki); P. Haege (Victoria) v. J. McCausland (New South Wales) ; A. W. Sims (Auckland) v. E. L. Bartleet (Auckland); N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington) v. E. D. Andrews (Palmerston North). In the ladies’ singles championship Miss M. Spiers (Canterbury), the titleholder, and Miss A. Howe (Wellington) have worked their way to the- fourth round. Four others remain in the event, and there are drawn to play as follow: Miss B. Knight (Auckland) v. Miss J. Watson (New South Wales); Mrs. W. J. Melody (Wellington) v. Miss li. Witlierow (Auckland). Good progress was made to-day with the men’s and ladies’ doubles championships, hut the combined doubles event is not so well advanced. The most interesting match of the day was that in which N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington) defeated Norman Peach (New South Wales) 6 —l, 7 —5, 7 —5. 'l'he match was highly spectaeu-

lar throughout. Wilson's form at times verging on the brilliant. His service was the strong point in bis game, which was really splendid all round. Many of hi.s points came from clever overhead work at the net, and from volleying across the court. Both players employed strong backhand shots, and fully 50 per cent, of Wilson’s play was on the backhand. The New South M ales player was obviously troubled by several of Wilson’s drives. _ His play was inclined to be erratic,_ his strokes generally not being as finished as those of his opponent. I). G. France, last year’s runner-up, had to yield to Dr. A. L. North (New South Wales), who won 6—4, I—6, 4 e. 6 —2, 6 —l. Both men played a baseline crame, but North clinched the last set by coming into the net and chopping France’s volleys to all parts of the court. It was a game of steady tennis, lacking in spectacular effects. C E. Malfroy (Wellington) went within an ace of lowering the colours of J. McCausland (New South Wales), capturing the first two sets and leading

5 —4 in the next. He lacked the stamina of his opponent and suffered an attack of cramp. McCausland won 2—6, 3—6, 11—9, 6—2, 6—l, after a splendidly contested game. Two other members of the New South Wales team, C. Brewster and J. Fitzgerald, were defeated by A. W. Sims and E. Bartleet respectively. M Lampe (Wanganui) took the first set off E. D. Andrews (Palmerston North), but the latter held the upper hand in the next three sets, catching Lampe out of position with cross-cut smashes from the net. Jn the ladies’ singles Miss Lloyd (New South Wales) was unexpectedly beaten by Miss A. Howe (Wellington). Miss B. Knight' (Auckland) showed exceptionally fine form, but she has yet to meet Miss Watson (New South Wales), the winner then playing Miss Spiers.’ Both Miss Spiers and Mrs. Melody have had easy passages in their engagements. jn the men’s doubles, Ivnott- ano Sturt (Auckland), playing vigorous tennis defeated the New South Wales pair, Brewster and Fitzgerald. The Aucklanders’ overhead work was very attractive, both smashing with deadly precision. "Wallace and Dickie, a pan made famous by past tournament successes, were beaten by Joints brothers (Auckland) after a marathon live set match. , . , _ ~ , Only four pairs remain in the ladies doubles. Misses Lloyd and Watson will play Misses Howe and Ramsay, and Misses Knight and Colebrook will meet Mrs. Melody and Miss Spiers. No progress ha.s vet been made with the boys’ singles, while there will be no contest in the girls’ singles, owing to one of the two entries being invalid. The scores are*: MEN’S SINGLES.

Third Bound. —Dr. A. L. North (N.S.W.) beat D. G. France (Wellington), 6 —4, I—6,1 —6, 4 —6, 6 -2, 6 1; P. Haege (Victoria) beat N. G. Sturt (Auckland), 6 —l, 6 —3, 6 2; J. McCausland (N.S.W.) beat C. E. Malfroy (Wellington), 2 —6, 3 —6, 11 9, 6 2, 6—l •A. W. Sims (Auckland) beat C. Brewster (N.S.W.), 6-2, 6—l. 6—2; E L. Bartleet (Auckland) beat J. Fitzgerald (N.S.W.), 6—3, 6—3, 3—6, 6—l; N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington) beat N. Peach* (N.S.W.), 6 —l, 7 5, 7- 5 : E. D. Andrews (Palmerston North) beat M L. Lampe (Wanganui), 4 —6, 6 —2, 6 —4; A. G. Wallace (Waverley) beat N. Smith (Rotorua), 6 —l, 9—ll, 63, 3 —6, 6—l.

LADIES’ SINGLES. Second round. —Miss B. Knight (Auckland) beat Miss M. Myers (Wanganui), 6—2, 6—4; Miss J. Tiatson (N.S.W.) beat Miss N. Lowry (Hastings), 6—2, B—6-8 —6Third round.—Miss M. Speirs (Christchurch) heat Miss J. B. Ramsay (Auckland), 6—l, 6—4; Miss A. Howe (Wellington) beat Miss N. Lloyd (N.S.W.), 6—3, .6—4. MEN’S DOUBLES.

First round.—W. H. Entwistle and W. G. Watkins (Auckland) beat \V. Pearse (Teniuka) and R. McL. her kins (Wellington), 6 —l, 3 6, 6 4, o—oSecond round. —Johns and Johns beat A. G. Wallace and C-. J. Dickie (Waverlev), 7—9, 6—4, B—6, 6 8, 6_3; Dr. North and McCaijsland beat Chisholm and Watson. 6—o, 6—3. q—0 •, Knott and Sturt heat Entwistle and Watkins, 5—7, 7—5, 6—l, 6 2; Bartleet and Robson beat Lamb ana Turner, 6—o, 6—B, 7 5, 6 2.

RABIKV nor BL KS. First round. —Mi we* M. Myers (Wan>0111111) anil B. \\ itlioi ow (Auckland) beai. Mistes J. Maclndoe (Amklaim) am! .M. Griii'ith.s, (Wliaiigaiata). 6—3, (j ;{; Misses N. Lloyd and J. Watson (N.S.’w.j beat Mrs. Scott Watson (Auckland) and Mil’s. I'- 1 - 3. Anted (Whangarei), 6—l, 6—3; Misses It. Hale and K. Hei (Talcitimu) beat M is.ses M. Napier and N. Witite'aw (Auckland), 6—o, o—6.0 —6. 6—4; Misses M. Lowry (Hastings) and M. Mactarlane (Auckland) beat Mrs. 1)'. M. Robson (Auckland) and Miss M. Stevens (Whangarei), 6 —3. 6—3; Mrs.W. J. Melody (Wellington) and Miss M. Speirs (Canterbury) beat Misses A. Francis-' and 0. Maxwell (Auckland), 6—l. 6—2 . Second round. —Misses Kniglit and Caleb rook beat Misses Lowry and Macf.arlane, 6—3, B—6;8 —6; Mrs. Melody and Mi.s? Speirs beat Misses E-. Miller and J. Mueller (Auckland), 6—2, 6—l; Misses Lloyd and Watson beat Misses Hale and Hei, 6—2. 6—4; Mi sses A. Hcwe (Wellington) and J. Ramsay (Auckland) beat Misses Myers and W i tberow, 6—4, 6 —4.

COMBINER LOU 13LES, First round. —-Miss A. Howe and K. McL. Ferkins. (Wellington) beat Miss w. McPherson (Taumarunui) and A. E.’McCracken (Hiamiltan), 6 —2, 6 —3; Mrs Scott Watson and H. Brinsden (Auckland) beat Miss K Hei (Takdtimu) and F. PeacH (N.S.W.). 6—3. ,6—3; Miss N. White-law and A. Tv. 'Turner (Auckland) beat Miss J. Mcl mine (Auckland) and IT. IT, Tait (Oli.nstchurcb) 7—5,. 6—3; Miss M. Stevens and J. C. Charters (Whangarei) beat Miss J. Mueller (Auckland) and R. V. Bundle (Wellington). 6—4, 6—3; Mi®® E Hale (Takitimu) and N. Peach (N.S.W.) won from Miss N. Colbeck and N. M. Linuisson (Auckland) ny ticfault; Miss A,. Francis (Auckland) and W. Pen rise (Teniukn) ben t Mrs. I>. Robson and Fi. M. Alilson (Auckland), 6—4. (;_,3 • Miss B. Knight and A. W. Sims (Auckland) beat Miss K. Miller (Auckland) and. J. Fitzgerald (N.S.WA, 6—4, 0 ) ; Mrs. A. A.rneill and L. T. Pickmere’ (Wlmnsrnrei) beat Miss J. Rumen v (Auckland) and S. TV. Field (Canterbury). 6—2. 7—»5.