Singles Championship to Andrews

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 8, 10 January 1936, Page 8

Singles Championship to Andrews

Ladies’ Title Retained by Miss Nicholls Doubles to Coombe and Charters and Misses Beverley

Owing to Rain

It had teen toped to bring the Manawatu Lawn Tennis Association’s annual tournament to a conclusion yesterday, but wearier conditions made tins impossible. Owing to heavy rain overnight and no play before noon, further showers during the afternoon, causing several “hold-ups,” and further rain late in the afternoon, which brought the day’s play to an abrupt ena, the handicap sections and one championship event have yet to be completed.

As on the previous days, the tournament attracted widespread interest and yesterday’s finals were witnessed by a big gallery of spectators' who were treated to some interesting tennis. The courts were in remarkably good order considering the drenching they had received, and what wind there was was light.

Presentation of Prizes. When it was seen there could bo no further play that day, players and friends gathered in the pavilion where tho trophies for the completed championship events were presented to the winners by Mrs. Lindsay Gardner, wife of the president of the Palmerston North Lawn Tennis Club. The tournament will be remembered for the very high class field in tho different championship events and the title-holders are well worthy of the honours they have secured. Tho presence of the redoubtable E. D. Andrews has lent particular interest to the fixture, and it was pleasing to see him reveal his true form, notably towards the concluding stages of the singles championship, which ho won. Miss Dulcio Nicholls, New Zealand lady champion, successfully • defended her Manawatu title, and her game is still as effective as ever before. In the doubles D. C. Coombe, who won the singles title last year, and .T. C. Charters, of Wellington, proved by their play, to have been in a class by themselves, and their win in the final was most decisive. In the ladies’ doubles, the title was won by Misses N. and M. Beverlev, new players to this part of the world, and it is hoped they will return to defend their title—they play most attractive tennis. The Officials.

danger in doing this against Miss Nicholls, who was driving magnificently and quick to exploit passing shots. The first set finished 6—3 in the champion’s favour but tho games were not onesided, many of them going to deuce In the second set Miss Nicholls continued on her match-winning way, the issue never being in doubt. Coombe and Charters Too Good for Sturt and Smith

It was anticipated that the final of the men’s doubles would be a hardfought match, but against Coombe and Charters, who played brilliant' tennis, Sturt and Smith failed to get going, and they were beaten in straight sets. Right from the start Coombo and Charters revealed their best form. Both were driving and volleying well and they were able to keep tho net, from which commanding position they speeded up the play, forcing their opponents into errors, and weak returns were promptly and effectively dean; with, Coombo in particular being deadly overhead. Coombe and Charters took the first set to love and tho second with the loss of only two games. Towards the end of the match Sturt and Smith began to give a taste of their real worth, but they failed to stem the tide, their opponents scoring a very decisive win. The Ladies’ Doubles Tho finalists in the ladies’ doubles were all from tho north, Misses N. and M. Beverley being from Matamataand Miss Macfarlane and Miss Ramsay from Auckland. The Auckland pair quickly struck a length and with Miss Ramsay cutting heavily and Miss Macfarlane driving well they took the opening set with the loss of three games. It was a different story in the second and third sets, for the pair from Matamata speeded up their ptay and took complete control. There were many long rallies, but the Misses Beverley were always working in to the net, where their volleying and smashing were most effective. Tho final of the combined doubles was in progress when heavy rain set in and only one set had been completed when play was abandoned for the day.

As is usual at Linton street, the arrangements for the tournament left nothing to be desired. The members oi the tournament committee were: • Messrs. J. T. McDonald, L. Plimmer, W. B. Beattie, F. McLachlan and W. S. Fox (secretary). Miss Joan Barnett and a willing band of helpers ably controlled the commissariat throughout each day, a service much appreciated by the visitors.

COMMENT ON THE PLAT. MEN'S PINAL. The finalists in the men’s championship were E. D. Andrews and J. C. Charters and the Wellington man had been playing so well through the tournament that he was expected to put up a pretty good fight. At the commencement of the game Charters was having trouble in getting enough depth on his drives and Andrews, serving, took the first game after three deuces. Andrews then commenced to move in to the net. He netted on two occasions and then scored a winner with a cross court volley. The score went to deuce but Charters won the next two points and the

In the semi-final of this section Charters and Miss Nicholls had a great fight for the first set against D. I. Robertson and Miss N. Beverley'. After that, however, they easily held the upper hand. Results are as follow;

Men’s Championship Singles Final.

game. Rain then caused a hold-up for some 13 minutes and when the players returned to the court Andrews took complete control and he collared the set, o—l. He was playing magnificent tennis and he scored his x ,oints witb - a great variety of shots. He was clix>ping the back line with sizzling drives, moving in for sharply angled volleys, while anything overhead was meat and drink to him.

E. D. Andrews (Manawatu) beat J. C. Charters (Wellington), 6 —l, 6 —4, Ladies’ Championship Singles Semi-finals.

Miss N. Beverley- beat Miss Ram say, C —4, 6 —4.

Miss D, Nicholls (Wellington) beat Miss N. Beverley (Matamata), 6 —3, 6—l.

Men’s Championship Doubles Pinal.

Xn the second set Charters gallantly tried to slow Andrews up but without avail. The champion took the first two games, making it seven in a row, but he dropped the next, which Charters took after deuce had been called a numbei of times. There were some great driving rallies in the next game, and Charters, who was generally on the run, iuade suiJK) nuxjjuilicciit recoveries. Charters, who passed Andrews on the "backhand a couple of times, took the game to make it 2 —all. Andrews then broke through Charters’ service and he took his own to make it 4 — 2. It was good tennis at this stage, Charters being applauded for many cross court shots, and Andrews for his full blooded drives to the back-hand corner. Charters now' had his back to the wall and ho collared the next game when he scored his clinching points with a cross court drive which caught Andrews on the wrong foot, and with a volley to the forehand side, Andrews 311st failing to reach it. Andrews won his service and Charters took the next, his winning shot being a dainty volley down the side line. The score was 5—4 and Andrews established a 30 —love lead in the next game. Charters then beat him with two passing shots and forced him' to. net a third. Charters outed the next and after deuce had been called, Andrews caught him on the wrong foot and then clinched the game, set and match with a ball that hit the net and went over.

D. C. Coombo and J. C. Charters (Wellington) beat N. Sturt (Auckland) and N. Smith (Wellington), 0— 0, 6—2. Women’s Championship Doubles Semi-finals.

Misses M. Macfarlane and J. Ramsay beat Mrs Adams and Miss Kerr,

Misses N. and M. Beverley (Matamata) beat -Misses M. Macfarlane and J. Ramsay (Auckland), 3 —G, 6 —l, 6—o.

Combined Championship Doubles Quarter-finals.

Charters and Miss Nicholls beat Andrews and Miss Macassey, C —2, 4 —o, S— 6.

J. Stevens and Miss Ramsay beat E, A. Pearce and Miss Rudkin by default.

Semi-finals,

Charters and Miss Nicholls beat D. I. Robertson and Miss N. Beverley-, 7—3, 6—l. Sturt and Miss Macfarlane beat Stevens and Miss Ramsay by default The final of this section was being played towards evening when rain caused a hurried scamper to shelter. Charters and Miss Nicholls had taken the first set G —l and the second was being played when the rain settled ail chances of completing the match that evening.

Boys’ Championship Singles Semi-finals.

The umpire was Mr N. K. C. Wilson.

J. Moffatt beat B. Louisson, B —lo, 6 —4, 6 —3.

The Ladies’ Pinal,

The finalists in the ladies’ championship were Miss Dulcie Nicholls, the New Zealand champion, and holder of the Manawatu title, and Miss N. Beverley, of Matamata. At the outset the match gave promise of being a close one, but Miss Beverley had the misfortune to take a tumble when going for a shot and from that on she was not able to reveal her true form. Long range driving was the feature of the first set, with Miss Nicholls generally getting-f-ho bettor of it. Miss Beverley mado occasional excursions to the net J but there was a decided clement of 1

Pinal. S. Hooper beat J. Moffatt, 6 —l, 6

Girls’ Championship Singles Pinal.

Miss M. Beverley (Matamata) beal Miss Dale (Tauranga), G —4, 6—o.

Men’s Handicap Singles Semi-finals.

O'Connor beat T. Louisson, 9 —4, S. Hooper beat Marchant, 12 —10,

Ladies’ Handicap Singles Quarter-finals.

Miss Earnett beat Miss Carty-, 9 —L Miss M. Beverley beat Mias B. McDonald, 9—l,

Men’s Handicap Doubles Quarter-finals. C. Stevens and Spring beat R. V. and W. Hooper, 9 —5. Hill and Plimmer beat Cope and Cope, 9 —3.

Semi-finals,

O’Connor and Dickie beat Hill and Plimmer, 9—G. Louisson and Marchant beat Stevens and Spring, 9—5. Ladies’ Handicap Doubles Semi-finals.

Misses Barnett and L. Eutherford beat Misses Itiskworth and Hogg, 9

Combined Handicap Doubles First Round.

C. Stevens and Miss L. Boag beat Marchant and Miss A. Heard, 9 —6. Minifie and Miss Glenny beat O’Connor and Miss L. Eutherford, 10—8.' Quarter-finals. C. Stevens and Miss Boag won bj default. McLachlan and Miss Wilson beat Hooper and Miss Beverley, 10—8.

• Minifio and Miss Glenny beat Bowler and Miss Everton, 9—7. Fox and Miss J. Barnett beat Dickie and Miss Dewar, 9—6.

Semi-finals. Stevens and Miss Boag beat McLachlan and Miss Wilson, 9—7.