LAWN TENNIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8360, 23 December 1887, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. First Oat. At an early hour yesterday morning things looked black for tho tournament, to which so many tennis players have been so long looking forward, and it seemed doubtful if the weather would be fine enough to permit of its being held at all. However, the clouds rolled by, and the sun came out in a manner that could hardly have been hoped for by even the most enthusiastic tennis player. If anything the day was a little too warm for tennis, but there was very little wind, and the competitors must Lave been hard to please if they found much to grumble at. Eighteen courts had been marked out, and nets and poles of all sizes and descriptions had been brought into requisition!. However, for yesterday’s play not more than twelve courts were used, and these were at one period only all going at once. The ground played very truly, and the balls rose almost as much as upon asphalt. During the morning there were but few spectators, the majority of people being unable to leave their business at a time just before the Christmas holidays; but in the afternoon the number increased until shortly after three o’clock there must have been some 400 or 500 people on the ground. Of these the majority were ladies, and the bright appearance of their dresses, the green of the sward and the varied colours of the players engaged all combined to make a pretty scene. The task of arranging the order of tho play and of allotting tho courts to the various players fell chiefly upon the Stewards, Messrs Condell, Bruges and A. M. Ollivier, who conducted matters throughout with great success. Several gentlemen upon tho ground kindly consented to act as umpires, this task involving a good deal of self-denial upon their part, especially if a hard and exciting contest happened to be going on in the next court. All scores were brought to the referee, Mr T. D. Condell, immediately upon the expiration of the various matches, and he would he glad if this course were again pursued by the various umpires, as it considerably simplifies the work of the Stewards and those engaged in reporting the game. The Addington Band was in attendance during the afternoon, and played various selections of music, and Mr Boot catered for the players and the public. To come to tbe play we may say that, taking it as a whole, at was of a very high order. There were very few matches that were not well worth witnessing, and a large number were very hotly contested. The The most inexperienced onlooker could see in a moment that lawn tennis is not merely a game adapted for a little mild exercise, but that it requires considerable skill, judgment, patience, and endurance. To come to the individual play. So far our representatives have fully held their own against the players from ether parts of the Colony, as Messrs Ross, Black, Harman, and Wilding are all still left in the Singles for the championship of New Zealand. The match which excited most interest was that between Messrs E. D. Harman and J. P. C4rossmann, both of whom had previously beaten their respective opponents— Messrs W. Tosswill and 0. Gillies —with case. Mr Harman is playing in much better form than he has previously shown, and defeated Mr Groasmann, though only after a severe tussle, winning three sets to his opponent’s two. The game between Messrs P. C. Fenwicke and B. Y. Goring also drew a number of spectators, who seemed to watch tho play of both with great interest, as shown by numerous rounds of applause, the general opinion being that the present champion will again assert his superiority over allcomers. He and his brother (Mr M. Fenwicko) both play in a very scientific and taking manner from the back of the service line, placing with great accuracy towards the back and side lines. Mr M. Fenwicke had some trouble to beat Mr Barton, and one of the sets, won by Mr Fenwicke by G—l, proved one of the most closely contested of the afternoon, deuce and vantage recurring several times. G. J. Gillies, a very promising young Dunedin player, is somewhat overmatched when pitted against an opponent like Mr Ross. Nevertheless, in the last set of their match he managed to make an obstinate struggle against the Christchurch representative, who did not win until the score stood 10—S. To-day Mr Harman will meet Mr Black, Tho winner will then play Mr Rosa. Mr M. Fenwicke will meet Mr Wilding, and a fine match should result, the winner meeting Mr P. C. Fenwicke. In the Doubles, the only closely contested set was that between Messrs Logan and Kennedy and the Dunedin players. Dr Batchelor and C. Gillies. These latter compelled their opponents to play five sets before the Napier men were declared the winners. The doctor plays very severely, and makes good use of his great height and long reach. His partner, Mr Gillies, volleyed well at the net. The Ladies’ Singles produced some very pretty play, although unfortunately the Christchurch and Dunedin representatives

were drawn to play the competitors from their own Provinces. Miss E. Harman proved too good for Miss Temple, and Miss Gordon vanquished Mrs George after a hard game. The Napier player. Miss Hitchings, defeated Miss Campbell, but only after stubborn resistance from the Wellington lady. Miss Orbell has retired in favour of her sister, who should prove a formidable opponent to-day for Miss Hitchings. Thus, to-morrow Dunedin will meet Napier, and the two Christchurch players will have to decide which is to play m the final. The Misses Orbell defeated the Wellington representatives in the Ladies’ Doubles, after some very pretty combination play, had been exhibited. Today they meet the Christchurch -oaveis. Two sets of the Combined Doubles have been already played, that between Mr Charlewood and Mrs Humphreys, and Mr Chapman and Miss Lean being productive of some fine vigorous play on the part of both ladies. Miss Lean and her partnerproving a little too strong for their opponents. Mr and Mrs Harrison, both playing upon the back line, defeated Miss Miles and Mr G. S. Mathias, one playing upon the back line and the other at the net, with some ease.

Several ties in the handicap events were, also ployed off, and some good all-round play was exhibited, the handicaps bringing forth some close results. The two most severely contested matches were the Ladies’ Singles, between Miss Miles and Mrs Gresson, which lasted for fully two hours, and the Gentlemen’s Singles, between Messrs Rose, of Dunedin, and H. von Haast. Tho play in this match was of a rather in and out description, both players varying a good deal during the sets. However, in the end, Mr von Haast’s handicap enabled him to just pull off the match. The following are the results of the day’s play in full:— 1. GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES.—-Championship of New Zealand. List of five Bets. Advantage sets. Prize, Challenge Cup, at present held by Mr P. C. Fenwicke (it won by the same player three times to become hia absolute property), and a Cup, value £lO 10s, presented by Mr G, Q. Stead. Byes: .T, P, Hidings, G. Richardson, E. J. Boss, C. J. Giliijs. H. Williams. E. F. Black, P. C. Fenwicko, B. T. Goring, O. F. Boss, Dr Batchelor, F. Wilding, W. Barton, M, Fenwicke. FIRST BOUND. H. D, Harman beat W. Tosswill (6 0, 6-0, 6-1). J. P. Grossman beat C. Gillies (6-1, 6-2, 0-0). (3. D. Kennedy beat F. Logan (0-2). Logan retired, second round. J. P, Hidings belt G. Bichardeon (61, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.) E.J. Boss beat G. J. Gillies-(6-1. 6.1,10-8). E. F Black beat H. Williams (6-2. 6-4. 4-6. fi-2). P. C. Fenwicke beat C. D. Kennedy (0-2, 6-3, 6-3), B. Y. Goring beat C. F, Bobs (6-3, 6-3, 6.3). F. Wilding beat Dr Batchelor (6-3, 0-4, 0-1), M. Fenwicke beat W. Barton (I—6, 6-4,6-2, 6-1). K, D. Harman beat J. P. Qrossmauu (6-1, 6-3,1-6, 2-6, 6-1). THIRD ROUND. E. J, Boss heat J. P. Eidiugs (6-1, 6-1, 6-4), P. C. Fenwicke bent B. Y. Goring (6-3, 6-2, 6-2). 2. GENTLEMEN’S DUU HLES.—Be* tof five sets. Advantage sots in last round. Prize, two cups value £5 5s each. Byes : J. P. Grossmann and E. J. Boss. W, P, Beeves aud J. Alien, W. Barton ami Carr, Wilding and Harman, Hidings aud C. F. Boss. FIRST ROUND. Messrs Qrossmauu and E. J. Boss, W. P.Beeves and J, Alice, scratched. Logan end Kennedy beat Dr Batchelor aud C. Gillies (6-5, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 6-2). Wilding and Harman beat Hidings and Boss (64. 6.3, 6-2). P. C, and M. Fenwicke beat Bichardson aud G, Gillies (6.3, 6-1, 6-0). 3. LADIES’ SINGLES. Best of tbreo Ms, Advantage sets in last rennd. Prize, value £5 bs. FIRST BOUND. Miss Hannsn beat Miss Temple i 6-3. 6-2). Miss Gordon be it Mrs George (6.3, 5-6. 6 b). Wigs Hitchings brat Miss Campbell (4-6, 6-3, 6-3). Mirk B. Orboil (M.ia Orbell retired in favour of her lister). 4. LaDIES’ DOUBLES. Beat of three sits. Advantage sets in last round. True, two trophies, value £3 3s each. FIRST BOUND. The Misses Orbell beat Mre George and Miss Campbell (4-6, 6-4, 6-1). 5. LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN’S DOUBLES (open to players not entered for tho first four events). Bast of three sets. Advantage sets in last round. Prize, two trophies, value £5. FIRST ROUND. Miss Loan and Mr Chapman beat Mrs Humphreys and Mr Charlewood (6-1, 4-6, 6-3). Mr and Mrs Harrison beat Miss S. Miles and Mr Q. S. Mai bias (6-1. 6.3.) _ 6. LADIES' SINGLES (Handicap). Best of three sets. Advantage sets. Prize, value £2 2s. FIRST BOUND. Mies E. Miles, scratch, beat Mrs Gresson, receiving 15 and S bisques (8^9?5-7, <A2). Miss Harley, receiving 430, beat Mis Way, scratch (6-3, 2-6, 64). 7. LADIES’ DOUBLES (Handicap), Best of three sets. Advantage sets. Prize, value Bve’r Miss K. Miles and M.'si M. Potts, received 15. FIRST ROUND. Mrs and Miss Worthy, receiving 130, beat Miss L. Lewis and Miss Kimbeli, receiving 15 and 2bisques (6-3, 6-3.) 8. GENTLEMEN’S SINGLES (Handicap).-Best of three sols. Advantage sols. Prize, value £2 2s. FIRST ROUND. H von Haast, receiving 116. beat 11. Bose, scratch (0-6, 6-3, 8-61. H.S. Cocke, receiving 115, beat A.Watson, scratch (6-1. 64). 9. GENTLEMEN’S DOUBLES (Handicap), Best of three sets. Advantage sets, Prize, value £3 3s. FIRST ROUND. J. B. Harrison and H. von Haast beat H. H Loughuan aud U. V. Anson (6-4, 4-6, 6.2).