TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 307, 30 December 1896, Page 2

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

Ine loDnis Tournament under the auspices of (he New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, whioh commenced on Boxing Day, was practically finished last evening shortly before 8 o'olook, though one or two smaller matches were completed today. The meeting altogether has been a great success. Indeed, many of the visitors pronounce i»to be the most successful in every respeob which has yet been held. This is a oompliment to Nelson tennis players, and espeoially to tbe model Secretary, Mr 0. A. Green, and the Committee, Messrs A. P. Burns, 0. H. Broad, H. R. Uunoan, E. P. Levien and L. Levien, which include representatives of both the Nelson and Brook Tennis Clubs. All six courts played exceedingly well throughout, despite the scorching' sun and the tremendous amountof traffio upon them during the progress of the various matches, and for this the best thanks of all lovers of the game are one to Mr 0. A. Green and Mr E. P. Levien, who bestowed so much care and time to their preparation. So pleased were the visitors with the whole of the arrangements, the grounds, and Nelson weather, that a very general desire was expressed that many, or all, future Championship meeting's should be held in Nelson. Besides possessing such splendid courts, the convenience of Nelson from its central position is a further recommendation: Whatever may be done in this matter, it is most gratifying to know that the meeting has been suoh a thorough sucoess, and that some of the local players notably, Misses Mabin, L. Gibbs, K. Fell, and B. Moore, and Messrs C. Broad and E. P. Levien, showed excellent form against formidable opponents ; and with consistent and systematic praotioe there is no reason why Nelson should not turn out n player who will carry off Championship honours at future meetings. They have excellent material to work upon, and both Clubs have courts equal to any in the colony. The following are additional results of events :— Messrs Harman and Clark beat Messrs E. P. Levien and Broad in the final of the Men's Handicap Doubles and take the prize. Scores, 6—4, 6—4. The Misses Van Asch won the final of the Ladies' Handicap Doubles, beating Misses Moore and K. Fell, the soores being 6 — 2, 6 — 5. Men's Cuami-ionship Singles— Five sets, first prize gold medal of Association and trophy valued at £3 3s ; second prize, trophy valued at *2 2s. Nineteen competitors. Tub Final. In the final the spectators enjoyed as fine an exhibition of clever tennis playing as they could wish for. In the first set Hooper led off by winning the first two games, but Marshall won the next. Hooper won another and Marshall the nexotwo, making three all. Some pretty rallying and clever playing were seen in the next two games both of which Hooper won. Marshall came again two, and game stood five games each. Two more games to Marshall and one to Hooper brought 7— 6 up on the score board, but Marshall won next game, and with it the first set B—6,8 — 6, advantage seta being played. The second set proved a much easier win for Marshall, wlio got in some lightninglike returns neatly placed, and ivon the set by 6 games to 2. Marshall maintained his advantage early iu the third . set, winning the four games agajst hia opponent's one, Hooper, however, gained two in succession, making the scores Hooper 3, Marshall 4. Each then won a game and "5—4 Marshall leads" was called by the umpire. At this stage both men were playing- all they knew and some brilliant rallying, volleying and backhanded strokes were deservedly applauded. Another game to Hooper and " five all " came from the umpire's box. Hooper won again by clever placing to the corners, quite beyond his opponent's reach, active as he was, and now led by 6—5. Marshall skilfully met some •' hot 'uns " by Hooper due to the letter's long reach, and, winning, brought the game to six all. Again Marshall won, and 7—6 went up on the score board. Another game to Marshall and the match was finished, srwres standing 8-6. Mr Marshall thus had three sets out of five J?™ 0 ?, 1 * 6 Stoßks Championship for 1896 amidst applause. The winner, who played a fine strong game against suoh redoubtable opponents as Parker and Hooper, ex-champions,-received many hearty congratulations upon his success. It is a noteworthy fact that both Parker and Marshall are " Old boys " of the Wanganui Cpllegiate School. Mum's Championship Doubles— Best of five sets, prize two Association gold medals, and two trophies of £ I la each. Nine entries. After a brief interval Messrs W. A. Styehe and C. C. Cox (Canterbury) took the field against Messrs H. A. Parker and C. Goro (Wellington) in the final of the Mens Championship Doubles. Both couples appeared very fit, and the match resolved itself into an inter-provincial contestWellington v. Canterbury. In the first set the Wellington pair led off strongly with 5—2, the two gamea to Canterbury being the result of long reaohine by Styohe and effective sweeping corner returns by Cox. Wellington won the first set by 6 to 2. Parker led off in the second set, beating Cox with a fast serve, and pulling Styehe with a big break. Ha and Gore soon won the first game, Styehe winning the second game of this set chiefly owing to some loose fast play by Gore. . 'I he Wellingtonians made amends by winning tbe next two games and 3—l went up, which changed to 2—3 byCanterbury winning the next game thanks chiefly to Styehe getting the best of breaks tried by Parker. Another game to Canterbury equalised the scores— 3 all Wellington won three in succession, 6—3' and set. This gave Parker a lead of 2 sets to love, and in the first game of the thbil set (won by Canterbury) all four players put ;n sump smart and fast work, dodging all over the Court. Parkor by a dashing stroke won the second game of the set I—l, and Styohe the third 2—l. The fourth same saw some fancv net work between Parker and Styehe, whilst Gore and Cox contended themselves with back play on the touch line. The game was won by Styohe 2—3, but Parker won the next, which was " wpll played everybody " and the soore changed to " 4—2 Parker leads." Two more games to Wellington 5— 2 and the set was finished. With this win Messrs 11. A. Parker and C. Gore seoured the Men's Doubles Championship. ;\ v . The prizes were then presented by Mrs Macquarrie, wife of the President of tiro N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association, and cheers' were given as the champions, MissNnnneley, Mr J. M. Marshall, Messrs H. A. Parker and C. Gore, and others stepped forward fresh from the fray to receive their rewards. . , • ' Three cheers were, al.so ! givpn fov-M.ra Macciiiiu'l'ie, audj fov Mr ,0. Gr.een; the energetic, Seiivelory/a "s,mall boy adding emphasis to the. compliment to Mr Green hy.eiiying '{He's »11 right.";. ! * ■■ ' Combined BouBHJa., Great interest centred 1 in ' the semifinal of the comWuo^ doubles between i

Miss ifunheiey and -Mr Parker.^of •s el<* lington, and Miss Mabiri an'd Mr C.Btoad of Nelson. ■ParKerled'-.off, .serviighis' opiwnent with puzzling ,tTfistiers';wj ioh' repeatedly scored. Miss NunneleyiAJso played well, whilst ori' the other; hpad local tennis admirers were proud of 1 Qis Mabin's brilliant play, ably secondec by Mr C. Broad. All four players received, returned, volleyed, and '^placed'*;! ery prettily, bub Miss Nunneley mil; Mr Parker gained a lead of 5— 3, whicbJwas reduced to C — i by several pretty si*i keß by Mr Broad, and clever, returns (by JVObb Mabiu. The nest ganle was won by Miss Nunneley and Mr Parker,. knd this also gave them the first set {fc-4. In tho second set the games were very even, and when six games had gone! " 3 all " was called from the scoring ■ iox. The seventh game was won by the If el-, soniana, and in the eighth 'there were several brilliantly raUyings, "Well played Misses Nunneley and Mabin, and Broad and Parker," being called in turn. ,.', Another game to Parker, and the score stood 6 — 4, Parker leading as the result of getting in Beveral of his favourite strokes — banging high balls down upon Ms opponents' courts unmercifully. : 'A game to Broad equalised the score to "6 r all:" The visitors won the next game and 'set, and thus finished this match, leavingjthe final to bo played between themselves and Miss Trimnell and Mr Boss. . . ■ A start was made with the final almost .immediately, but it soon got too dark (it 'was now nearly 8-30, and the courts, began to get slippery), so that play had to be abandoned for the day. ■ . . ' : '. TO-DAY'S PLAY. ' The final of the Combined Handicap Doubles was played this morning, Miss Nunneley and Mr Parker'defeating Miss Trimnell and Mr Boss, the scores being 6—3, 3— 6, and 6—2. There was some splendid play by all four players, but Miss Trimnell was brilliant at times. In the final of the Men's ' Handicap Singles, the champion, Mr J. Marshall, defeated Mr Harmon after an interesting oontest. The soores were I—B, 6—4, 6-1. With these two matches the tournament finished.