LAWN TENNIS NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 120, 22 April 1936, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS NOTES

The match between Palmerston North and Levin, the respective winners of the northern and southern sections of the Manawatu inter-club competition, was played at Levin with the result that the lormer won eight rubbers to the latter’s two, but six were not played. This was' owing partly to the rain, but chiefly owing to the discourtesy of the Palmerston players who arrived at the courts an hour after the time at which the match was arranged to begin. At the hour at which the start was to have been made from the War Memorial only a veteran sportsman, who had kindly put his car and his personal services at the disposal of the local team, was there. One lady followed a few minutes later, but there was a long interval before the next player appeared on the scene, and it was after a wait of just an hour that the full team was collected. Such a want of consideration for others seems to be one of the peculiarities of some local tennis players, and it would be a good thing if every club would in future omit such defaulters from their teams, even though by so doing they should lose their matches. To turn to the match itself: Although Palmerston had a big majority of wins none of the rubbers was in the nature of a walk-over. On the contrary every point was keenly contested and Levin tennis was not disgraced. Livingstone began well against Tuohy and gained a big lead, but then he struck a bad patch and failed to deal with the high-bouncing balls, returning many into the net or out of court. Tuohy playing well gradually reduced the gap and was only beaten 9—7. Robertson always had the better of Dr. Thompson who, however, put up a good fight and was never afraid to hit hard. Cope and Astle.y were even for the first six games, after which Cope, who has had a very successful season, went right away and won the last six games. The rubber between Hill a.nd McNair Thomson was played on a court on which there were pools of water. Both played from the back of the court and Hill’s better length gave him a decisive win. Owing to a breakdown on the way from Wellington Mrs Thomson arrived too late to play her single against Miss Astle. It would have been interesting to see how the latter got on against Manawatu’s leading lady. The match between Mrs New and Miss Kerr was interesting from the fact that they had met twice previously and each had had a win. On this occasion Mrs New, playing in much better form than she has done of late, had the easiest win of the day. Miss Mcßae was just beaten by Mrs Porter after a good match. She did well to make such a good' show against a player who earlier this season beat Mrs Adams, an ex-champion of N.Z., in a ladder match. The doubles between the men’s top pair was a very good one to watch, both pairs playing a fast game and thfe Palmerston pair keeping only just ahead until the last few games. When the women’s top pairs met it was evident that Mrs Thomson was the outstanding player, but the Palmerston pair concentrated on her partner and won somewhat unexpectedly by 7 —5. This is probably the first time that Mrs Thomson has suffered defeat in a women’s event since she has resided in the Manawatu Association’s district.

D. I. Robertson, after being champion of the Palmerston North Club for three years, has been .deposed by D. B. Livingstone, the old Hutt Valley player who joined the club after Christmas. In one of the early rounds of the championshio Robertson won 5 —7, 6—4, 6—3, this being Livingstone’s only loss till he met Robertson again in the semi-final which be won 6 —4, 6 —4. This left them with one life apiece and Livingstone was successful 6 —2, 7 —5. He deserved his success, for he played a much faster and more enterprising game, attacking throughout. Robertson has not been in his best form lately his shots lacking in the speed which he is capable of producing. Mrs Moodv evidently intends to defend her Wimbledon Championship, for when she was lately summoned as a juror she obtained exemption on the plea that it would interfere vyith her preparation. She has played several matches with men professionals and in some cases has won, and always has made a good show. •