TENNIS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 45, 4 February 1928, Page 8

TENNIS

■ (By "Back-Hand")

NOTES ANO COMMENTS. FROM EVERYWHERE. The Park Lawn Tennis Club competitions commenced last Saturday. The club have received large entries for all the events, and the handicap, pers have had no easy task in allotting the handicaps. Several matches were played over the week-end, and, judging by the form displayed, it looks a 4 though some keen and hardfought matches should ensue. The following are the results.—G. Snaddon (15) beat A. Hay (3), 60—54; J. Beamish (12) beat Lincoln (30), 60— 51; J. Drummond (15) beat A. Collins (30). 60-48. L. Gallien (25) beat W. Fleissner (20), 60—55.

In the first round of the singles championship F. Smaill beat Wake, tj 1, 6—2; J, Beamish beat C. Crichton, 6—3, 6—5; A. Archibald beat C. lessen, 6—4, 3—6, 6—3. In the combined doubles C. Lassen and Mrs Short (12) beat A. McLeod and Miss I. Garnett (15). 60—14. In the ladies’ doubles Mrs. Clifft and Mrs. Short (7) beat Misses D. Spurdie and I. Garnett (15), 50—14: Misses Gloyn and Tunnicliffe (10) beat Misses V. Coles and H. Whyte (20), 50—45; Misses G. Taylor and McCullough (20) beat F. Webb and N. White, 50—40. In , the ladies’ singles championship Miss M. Smith beat Miss M. Stairmand, 6—4, 6—3. The first rounds of the competitions are. to be completed by the 18th February.

The Dannevirke tournament was a great success from every viewpoint, and the Secretary and Committee are to be congratulated upon the manner in which all arrangements were carried out. The tennis displayed throughout was of a high standard. Mrs. Adams, winner ot the ladies' championship, played superb tennis, and the final between her apd Miss Myers was watched by a large gallery, which was not slow to applaud any good play. This is the third occasion on which Mrs. Adams has wpn the Dannevirke championship, *he previous times being 1923 and 1927. It is rather a pity that this fine player does not pay a visit to Hastings.

Another keenly-contested match was that between Shorland and Mrs. Adams v. Lowry and Miss Snow Clark. The former pair were always just a bit too good, although there waa nothing very thrilling about the match.

Lowry and Milburn combined very nicely to defeat a good pair in Barkman and Powdrell. In the final ot the men’s singles Barkman defeated Lowry after a very good game. Lowry appears to have lost the form that be showed us last season.

Writing in the “San Francisco News,’’ Miss Mary K. Browne, an ex-American champion, said: —Some time ago I was interested in an article by Lady Dorothy Mills, of England, in which she said, "1 believe the teaching of the young girl and boy correct form in playing tennis, golf, riding or swimming, as essential a part of their education as their ability to name the important seas of the world.’’ It is appalling to say the least, how seluoin the youngsters are taught good form in tennis. They are encouraged to play the game, but are left to tneir own de-rices, which generally produces awkward, unattractive and ineffective style. It is not natural to do the right thing. It is easier to push and shbve the tennis ball over the net, for a beginner, than to swing freely and gracefully. Stylist*. There is a right way to do every thing and produce the greatest etfeciiveneaa with the least amount oi effort. There is notnuig more attractive than to see a stylist iu any sport. There is Bobby Jones at goli, lied Grange, who glides in ano out with the utmost ease upon the football field. Henry Cochet, in tenuis, who strokes with less apparent effort than any tennis player i have seen Manuel Alonso is grace itselt upon tho tennis court. His backhand is a thing of beauty, benonta D Alvarez, of Spain, is the poetry oi motion, her stroking ot the tennis ball being like a fascinating rhythm ot the symphony director s baton. Strangely, 1 seem to choose the French and Spanish stars for grace and rhythm. The Americans are apt to put more punch into their strokes and have less delicficy of stroke. Parents should develop the “game" conscience, the realisation that sports wifi play a big part in the social life of ( the girl, the business life ot tjie boy. They should give them early instruction and save them from the embarassment of being a sports wallflower. To play the ordinary forehand volley, take up the stance about three or four feet from the net, with weight of body mainly -on the left foot, writes Jack Crawford. New South Wales champion, who has had a meteoric career, bringing him into line for selection in next year’s Davis Cup team. Hold the head of the racket above the wrist with a very firm grip. The wrist and forearm should be held tense. When the ball is coming at you move the hand as if you were going to catch the ball, only, o> course, the racket face does the catching. The stroke should never be a sweeping one, but more in the nature of a punch. Most important thing to remember however, is correct balance. The left foot must he firmly planted on tho ground, with the knee appreciable bent. The ball only of the right foot rests on the ground. At the end of the stroke the right foot is drawn up to the left in readiness to move quickly into position for the next stroke. As a preliminary to the volley make a good forcing shot to the op-

ponent’s backhand, and follow in to the net in the same direction as your own shot. Volley direct to your opponent’s weakness, unless an opening presents itself for an outright winner. A beginner should concentrate on the plain flat vollev i.e., with the face of the racket vertical and the wrist Ik low and behind the racket head. When the stroke is perfected then the more complicated volleys can be attempted.—“ Smith’s Weekly.”