TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Northern Advocate, 8 April 1931, Page 7

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

SEVERAL FINALS PLAYED. THE GAMES REVIEWED. The North Auckland Lawn Tennis Association seems to be fated not to finish its annual tournament. When the weather broke yesterday afternoon the hard courts at the High School were swept, and play continued until rain fell at 5.80, leaving two games incomplete. The remaining Auckland players arranged to play their outstanding matches this morning, but this was impossible on account of the wet. Finals in which district players are engaged will be decided at the Whangarei courts on Saturday, The best games of the tournament were witnessed yesterday afternoon. iTho battle between A’. Johns (Auckland) and L. T. Pickmere (Whangarei), old rivals of the courts, excited a lot of interest. Pickmere, whose volleying and half-volleying were superb, picked up shots from almost impossible angles, and woii the first set, 6 —5. Johbs' broke through in the next two sets, winning comfortably, 6 —l, 6—l. ■ His placing and driving were excellent. His opponent lost points through moving in after his second rather weaker serve, so that he was too close up to cope with the cannonball return. In the early stages of the tournament K- Hayr, an experienced exAucklander now teaching at Parakao, made a decided impression, and forecasts were evenly divided as to the probable outcome of his meeting with Charters in the other semi-final .of the meats singles. Charters was right at the top of his form, and completely overwhelmed Hayr in the first set, not conceding a single game. Hayr improved in the second, but Charters won 6 —4. In all probability the final between Johns and Charters will take i place in Auckland. I Miss V. E’eeles is, a very much improved player alter her season in Auckland. She accounted for Miss G. Matheson, 6—3, 6—9, in the first semi-flual of the ladies' singles. .The other semi-final- was a regular Marathon, lasting over two hours. Miss Stevens took the first, sot 6—4, and Miss Ramsey the next Tile WhaUgarei player led in the part of the deciding set, but inexplicably fell away towards the end and consistently netted ■ her returns. This game' was remarkable for its loijg falijps. , At times the ball passed net at least 20 times. Miss Ramsey used a chop-shot with good .effect. This final may also be played, in Auckland, • , After a meteqric career in the ladies’ championship doubles, Misses B. AVilson (P'ortlancT)' and $). Mullins '(Whangarei) met their Waterloo in. the final, which was won by Misses Ramsey and Ecclos (Auckland) in two unbroken sets. Hard hitting characterised the final of the men's championship doubles. ,1. Charters (Auckland) and L, T. Pickmere (Whangarei) combined splendidly to eliminate K. Hayr (Whangarei) and y. Johns (Auckland)6 —(3, 6—3. Results of matches played yesterday afternoon are as follw: / Ladies' Handicap Doubles, third round. —Misses Harding and Kitching beat Mesdanies McLeod and McKay: B—6, . Men's Handicap Singles, B Grade (filial).—Miller beat S. Mullins: 6—4, 6—3. . - Men's Championship Singles (semifinals). —Charters beat Hayr: 6—o, 6—4. V. Johns- beat Pickmere: 5—16, 6—l, 6—l. Ladies' Championship Singles (semifinals). —Miss Y. ECcles beat Miss Matheson: 6—3, 6 —o. Miss Ramsey beat Miss M. Stevens: 4—6, 6—3, 6—4. Ladies’ Championship Doubles (final). —'Misses Ramsey and ECcles beat Misses Mullins and B. Wilson: 6—o, 6—o. Combined Championship Doubles, .second round. —AVaymouth and Miss Borghan beat McDonald and Miss Sloane by default. Combined Handicap Doubles, third round. —Johns and Miss P. Johns beat Thorne and Miss McKay; B—2,8 —2, Men’s Championship Doubles (final) —•Charters and Pickmere beat Hayr and A', Johns: 6—3, 6—3, Girls' Championship .Singles (final). —Miss L. Borghan beat Miss West; 6—2, 7—5.