TENNIS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 285, 17 November 1923, Page 11

TENNIS

r A meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis Association decided last week to commence the Neal and Close interclub competitions in December. The group system as formulated last season is to be followed. Each club will be represented by three teams, and by a process of gradual elimination the championships will be decided • * • Beyond the gradual process of working into form there is not a great deal going on in local tennis just now. All the local club courts arc being wellattended; yet nevertheless there is a singular irregularity among many players- There is too much tendency among those who have ample opportunity for play, to regard tennis as a social diversion giving an opportunity for airing a new racquet or choice garments. On the contrary there is not enough of tho spirit of playing the game for the game’s sake, seeking all the practice and improvement possible at the cost of no matter how much hard work. Of course there are many so unfortunately placed that consistency m practice is impossible; but for the many who could play r«gular]y, yet don’t play regularly, there seems’no explanation except that they fail to appreciate fine weather when it is bestowed. For the really keen' player the chances of a game are too much limited by the weather to allow him to disregard his opportunities.

At present the feature of club activities is the preparation for handicap tournaments. The early settlement of these h,as shown its inmor*tVin/e plauply other years, when’ more important fixtures later in the season have been curtailed by the approach of winter. The tendency now being displayed is to get the handicap games over, and it is a very F|d|und scheme.