LAWN TENNIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 December 1925, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

'United Press Association./

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 30.

The tennis championships are so far advanced that only six matches remain, three of them finals. The ladies' doubles went to the Canterbury pair, Mrs Scott and Miss Speirg In the men's singles Ollivier beat L. France and D. France disposed of Peacock after a close game. These two are finalists. In the men's doubles Peacock and Wilson play off against Ollivier and Sealy, and as Wilson has regained form, may win. In the mixed doubles Miss Tracy and Wilson appear to have the best chance. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. At tennis in the combined semi-finals, Miss Speirs and Don France beat Miss Ballantyne and Smyth 7—5 9—7; Miss Marion" Macfarlane "and Hill beat Miss Tracy and Wilson B—6, 5—7, 6—2. The final will be played this afternoon. An unfortunate hitch occurred in the tennis championships this morning owing to a proposal that the semi-finals at 9 a.m. should be followed immediately by the final at 10.30, and that France, who was in both morning events, should play Ollivier at noon and Miss Speirs, also in both events, should play Mrs Scott at 2 p.m. This programme was rearranged to postpone the combined finals until late in the afternoon, a>:d this averted i grave local dissatisfaction. At present Canterbury are leading for the tennis banner, which they are not likely to lose. In the singles final Ollivier beat D. France 5—7, 6—4, 6—2, 6—l.

BOYS' FINAL

,'3y T«leer>»h.— Special to The Mail.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 30.

This year's bovs' tennis champion of Mew Zealand is O. E. MaKroy, of Wellington, son of Mr C. .Malfroy, of the State Forests Department and formerly of Hokitika and Greymoutli. In today's final his opponent was a Nelson boy, K. A. Lucas, son of Dr. Lucas. It was a case of slog, slog, all the way, and it was because.Malfroy used a lot more care and a little less enthusiasm in bis slogging that he won. There is no more promising junior in New Zealand at present than Malfroy. His ground work is strong and reasonably accurate and overhead he showed signs of becoming a great adept. His stroke production is good and he uses his head. Lucas beat himself very often. He went in for such filings as strong second serves and smashing back hands from the side lines. That sort of thing may be all very well for an old hand, ■but Lucas only succeeded in beating himself. Ho served a large number of double faults. His net work too was marked by over enthusiasm. He biffed in some beautiful shots at times, but they did not compensate for his, mis takes. Lucas got a better length and more judicious pace in the second set, but Malfroy was too good for him. The winner did not play quite as well as he did yesterday, coming into the net much less frequently. However, his driving was all that could be desired. Lucas proved to have a great backhand but needs experience, and lots of it. The play became much better halfway through the game, and there were some exciting rallies. Malfroy demonstrated his superiority by winning the final set 6—2. The last set and a half prpvided an excellent exhibition.