P.N. TENNIS TOURNEY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2338, 7 January 1926, Page 3

P.N. TENNIS TOURNEY

ATjlj RECORDS BROKEN. Although entries have not closed, more players have already entered lor the Palmerston North tennis tournament than competed at the Wellington Provincial Championship meeting at Palmerston North lasi year. The following are the figures to date, for the championships with the 1325 entries in brackets: Men’s singles 40 (32) Ladies singles 30 (34) Men’s doubles .. .. 20 (14) - Ladies’ doubles .. •• 21 (21) Mixed doubles 35 (32)

The men’s singles Include such well-known playei s as E. L. Bartleet, E. W. Griffiths (both of whom beat G Ollivicr, New Zealand champion, last week), H. L. Robson (Auckland), J. B. Parker, R. R. 'l. Young (Wellington), M. L. Lampe, A. L. Wheeler, Stan. Powdrell (Wanganui), J. N Lowry, A. N. Campbell, R. H. Milburn (Hawke’s Bay), B. B. and A. B. Loughnan (sth and 11th men on Canterbury’s ladder), C. P. Atm ore (Otaki) and R. L>. Wybourne (Taranaki). E. D. Andrews, who won the open championship last year in conjunction with that of the province, will defend his title. Other loading Palmerstonlana competing are J. T. McDonald, R. V. Hooper, A. W. Thompson and S. G. Wyatt. H. J. Thompson and P. A. McLachlan (going great guns in doubles recently) are to play at the Otago championships. The former Is already in Dunedin and McLach:lan leaves on Monday Generous donations to the trophy ;und wore yesterday made by Bennett's Pictures, Messrs. Manson and Barr Ltd.. H. Bodlcy (an Auckland Rugby enthusiast, now licensee of the Cafe, do Paris) and G. R. Canavan (well-known in New Zealand swimming circles). Entries close this afternoon at five o’clock and the draw will take place at Messrs. Jacobs and Grant’s office four hours later. A meeting of the entertainment committee will bo held at the Courts, Linton Street, to-night at 5 o’clock. TARANAKI TOURNAMENT. TUESDAY’S PLAY. The only competitor who has reach-

ed the third round in the Taranaki championship up to Tuesday night is Haego (Australia), who met little opposition. Smyth (Wellington), last year’s champion survived two encounters ,in both of which ho won comfortably, but good tennis was provided . Atmorc the Otakl lefthander, stood up to him well In his first set, but consistency and accuracy ,as well as powerful driving, won in' the end. Martin, in the second round, also mads a good start against Smyth with forceful hitting, but his effort was not sustained.

Appearances point to Smyth going through to the st mi-final in the top quarter, though he will have ,to meet Robson and Clark (both ,cf Auckland) either to-day or to-morrow before he gets there. Griffiths (Auckland) looks as though he will fight out tin semi-final with Smyth, but he will have to account for Lampe (Wanganui) and fl. Burni first. The semi-finalists in the quarter will probably be Webster (New Plymouth), Brinsdtn (Auckland) or Haege, and he will most likely meet In the semifinal Bartleet (Auckland), who has little opposition in the fourth quarter. The lady champion will most likely emerge from the meetings between Miss Lloyd (Sydney), Miss Ramsay, Miss Rundle, Mias McPherson and Miss Brewster. In the ladies’ doubles, five out of nine matches have been finished in the first round . All the victors won comfortably ,but most of the leading ladies have not yet been engaged in this event. Miss Lloyd and Miss Brewster appear to have the best chance of reaching the final. I

Eight out of sixteen matches In the combined doubles are finished. Several of the most fancied pairs were engaged yesterday, and had no difficulty in winning their matches. Several of the combinations appear to be very evenly balanced, and interesting play should be seen in the matches in which Brinsden and Miss Brewster, llaege and Miss Simpson. Webster and Miss Lloyd, find several others are engaged.

PRESENT TITLE-HOLDERS. Following aro the present holders of the Taranaki titles:— Men's singles.—E. B. W. Smyth (Wellington). Ladies' Singles.—Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland). Men's Doubles.- —W. A. Fotheringham and E. W. Griffiths (Auckland). Indies’ Doubles.—Mias Lloyd (New

South Wales) and Miss MacCormlok (Auckland). Mixed Doubles. —A. G. Wallace (Waverley) and Mrs. Melody (Wellington). Boys’ Singles.—J. Pease (Hawera). Girls’ Singles.—Miss L. L. Ballantyne (New^Plymouth).