BARTLEET AND MALFROY IN TENNIS FINAL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6801, 3 January 1929, Page 7

BARTLEET AND MALFROY IN TENNIS FINAL

Miss Speirs in Winning Form CANTERBURY TAKES THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The New Zealand lawn tennis championship was advanced a further stage to-day when a fifth day’s play took place. The weather was warm but somewhat windy, while a heavy shower caused a cessation of play half way through the afternoon. The courts soon dried however and play was resumed after an interval of about a quarter of an hour. There was a large attendance and great interest was taken in tho various matches. Eight finals and some semi-finals j were decided. Three titles wore won by Canterbury—the ladies doubles, combined doubles and boys juniot singles,—while the honours in the junior combined doubles were shared by Canterbury players. It will thus be seen what a strong tennis province Canterbury is. Tho final of the ladies’ singles is to be played to-day ami it Miss Speirs successfully defends her title Canter bury will gain further honours. Auckland players wore, successful it the girls ’ junior singles and Netv Zea land plate junior honours, were wel, distributed, players from the following associations shaving:—-Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, South Canterbury anvl Otago.

Tho men’s singles sect ion was reduced to the final and there were two very interesting semi-finals played to-day, Bartlcet and Malfroy triumphing over I.nurenson and France respectively, so that the title wiU go either to Auckland or Wellington, Rartleet, will be a strong favourite in tho final to-day.

Bartlcet and Laurenson are expected to retain thoir men’s doubles title though Lance and Angus should make an interesting match of it. A keen contest war, anticipated between Bartlcet and Laurenson in the semi-final of the men’s singles, but the spectators were rather disappointed boenuse Bartlcet was tlie master practically throughout. He served beautifully all through and displayed a wide variety of strokes. His placing along the side lines was particularly clever and it was indeed remarkable to soc Laurenson returning many of thoso shots. Lauronson did his best in the second set, his picking up of difficult shots to tho back band frequently earning applause. His attempts to go in to the net however were not successful as Bartlcet left him standing with brilliant placements deep down the sido lines. Laurenson had a lead in several games, but made many rather simple errors which deprived him of his advantage. Both players were oxeollont in their overhead work. Bartlcet was brilliant in tho final set in which his serving was Stronger than ever. Malfroy proved his superiority over Franco in tho semi-final of the men’s singlos. However France ran him right out and Malfroy had to call up all his reserve to win. Although Malfroy placed some wonderful shots he owed his victory in the main to his ability to cover the whole court. Ho dominated tho play in the last set which ho won 6—3. Attacking continually he went to tho not at. every possible occasion playing the ball out of Franco’s roach. Long rallios characterised th| final of the Italics’ doubles in tvhich Misses Speirs and Wake beat Mrs. Adams anil Miss Tracy. It was a win for steady play backed by good strategical work in the latter stages. Miss Speirs was tho outstanding personality, playing good all-round tennis. Miss Wake played well but not so steadily as her partner. Mrs. Adams and Miss Tracv put up a good light but were, unable to break through the Canterbury pair’s defence. Indifferent tennis was seen m the semi-linul of the combined doubles between Miss Tracy and Malfroy and Miss Wake and Glanville. The former pair won after a poor exhibition. There was little of interest, in the mateli which was full of errors. Tho ladies did not show the same form which characterised their play earlier in the day in the final of the ladies’ doubles. Malfroy's display was disappointing contrasting poorly with his play against Franco in the semi-final of the men's singles. Gianville was also off colour and did nof show to advantage. Miss Speirs and Angas disposed ol Miss Myers and Lampo after an indifferent start. The Wanganui pair mad? a great beginning by winning the first four games. Lampe was brilliant;' especially at the net, his smashes giving his opponents bo chance- After the fourth game, however, Miss Speirs and Angas commenced to volley splifndidly while Miss Speirs served wita exceptional power. Lainpe went off his game towards the

clearly showed his ability in doubles play and his game was well nigh faultless. Playing her psupl strong steady game Miss Speirs gave a great exhibition of baseline play leaving the smashing and overhead work to her partner. Miss Tracy "was often seen at the'nets and some of her placing* were unapproachable. Most of Malfroy’s work was excellent but he drove and smashed wildly on occasion. • The final of the beys’ junior single* attracted a good deal of attention, Barnett, the holder- of the title waj much steadier- than his qpponent this asset enabled him to retain thi title. The finals for to-day fire Bartlcet and Malfrov at 12.30, Miss Speirs and Miss Maefarlane at 2 p.m. anil France and Angas y. Bartlcet anil Laurenson at 3.15. Men’s Singles. Sepii- final: Malfroy (Wellington) beat 1 France (Wellington) 3 —6, 6 —l, B—6, 6—2; Bartleet (Auckland) beat Laurenson (Waikato) 6—2, 7—-5, 6—2. Ladies’ Doubles. Final: Misses Speirs and Wake (Canterbury) beat Mrs Adams and Miss Tracy (Wellington) 6—4, 2—6, S—-6. Combined Doubles. ■/ Semi-finals: Miss Speirs and C. Angas (Canterbury) beat Miss Myers and Lampe (Wanganui) B—6,8 —6, 6—2; Miss Tracy and Malfroy ('Wellington) beat Miss Wake and Glanville (Canterbury) C—2, 7 —5. ’' Final: Miss Speirs and Angas (Canterbury) boat Miss Traflwpnc^M|j£|j« (^cllingtmj)tg^^|K's;;(.iSi...”^ > s;-tt;-|