Lawn Tennis Notes.

Free Lance, Volume VIII, Issue 398, 15 February 1908, Page 14

Lawn Tennis Notes.

After an interval of nine weeks, matches in the Shield contest were resumed on Saturday, when the initiation of the third round constituted the afternoon's proceedings, Wellington walking over Newtown by 12 sets to 1 (102 games to 4,5 — exactly the same margin as College went under by ra the first round), -whilst Brougham Hill had a nasty fright befoie disposing of the favourites for the wooden-spoon by 8 sets to 5 (96 game* to 77).

Cup. Wellington's rcm over Brougham Hill (7 sets to b. 77 games to. 84, a ma-rgm of 7) has set the heaorts of tennis players generally rejoicung. Monopolies do not popularise sport, and Brougham Hill had such a big mortgage o<n the competition that a wim for them would have settled the question of ascendancy beyond all doiibt. Now, however, there will be a keener struggle for supremacy, and the doings of each team will be watched with considerable interest. Wellington have a couple of difficult matches _to negotiate before a deciding meetimg can be arranged, and there is every possibility of the "bone of contention^ passing out of their possession (Wellington are the present holders of the Cup). Before criticising the sepaiate events it may interest enthusiasts to note the performances of these old rivals — £— "X 3 3> 1 I! §i ! < i I B &£* * I I i 1 Ji O £) Wellington 9 8 1 81 36 809 580 Brougham Hill <J 8 1 79 38 800 581 The evenness of the records is most striking, and had the win by one set om Saturday been ie\orsed, the tally of sets would have exactly conresponded, viz , 80—37. • • * Howe playing his usual steady game, defeated Frasei by the substantial margin of 9—4,9 — 4, the score being a faw index of the play. Frasers backhand', which was formerly one of his best shots, has certainly detenoiated. He failed at critical times to effect gome comparatively easy cross-court passes from good back-hand positions, albeit Howe was making few mistakes, and by means of clever volleying kept the Wellington man well on the mm. Watkms still keeps intact his record as the only unbeaten mem s single, His wm against Fernie <m Saturday at the very decisive score of 9 3 'being another creditable performance. The Brougham Hill ma>n sta-rt-ed the rubber with his back-lime game, and, making winning shots whenever an opening presented itself, soon, led, 7 2 In the last lap Fernie seemed to tire, and his opponent, with short volleys and a net-cord drive, took the set. * Watkins figures justify repitition • Played and won 9 games, 81 — 29! The McNicol v. Maddox heat was a repition of the ex-Aucklander's win in the first round, but this time the margin was greater, the score being 9—2,9 — 2, a result largely accounted for by the Wellingtomiani's inability to cop© with his adversary's peculiar chop stroke, which on the grass proved very deadly. Ward won his game at 9—49 — 4 (anticipated !), and was quite five games better than Mairriner, who is undoubtedly the weak link in an otherwise strocng men's team. Marnner lacks a winning shot, and hLs short lobs were killed in workmanlike manner by his younger and more brilliant opponent, •who was at his very best over-head. Mrs. Howe was no match for Mrs. Pierard, who repeated her first-round performance by defeating her old clubmate in a 7—l7 — 1 game, which was principally a display of safety rather than a fireworks exhibition. In the second ladies' single, which Wellington won 7—6,7 — 6, Miss Dimant had to play her best tennis to avoid defeat at the hands of Miss Archer, who showed better form m her single than she has done in Cup games so far this season. Could this player cultivate a decent hack-hand drive she would win many games which are at present lost, as weak play in that department is veTy quickly detected in a lady's play

Doubles. The first men's double. Fraser and Fernae v. Howe and Watkins, was a good thing for the latter pair, seoie 9—3.9 — 3. With Howes safe ground-shots and good over-head work, and Watkins driving, placing, and volleying well, Fraser and Fernae were utterly routed, notwithstanding thw constitute a strong combination. The McNicol amd Ward v. Maddox and Herd struggle, played at the end of the day, when the score in sets was six a-piece, attracted a great deal of attention as the deciding factor, and resulted in Wellington's favour by the narrow margin of 9—B.9 — 8. The victors

by good play collared the lead from the start and lav handy when 6—36 — 3 w as called The loseis then put m a stiong 11111^, and opened , shortly attend aids B—78 — 7 appealed on the hoard, the Biougham Hill pan ha\ing got their nnse m fiont, and with Herri sen me, led 40 — 30, one point to inn game set, match, and piobablv the competition But Wellington, plying pluickilv, were not to be denied, and they scored the point at the cntical moment, and, continuing won the next two a~es making the scoie 8 all. To the disappointment of the spectators the last hurdle fell flat, Ward wining a love-game on his service, and thus accounting for the Cup leaders' first ir\ erse Undoubtedly the better paw triumphed and as assuredly the heio of the bout was Tommy Ward whose smashing was a treat to witness The. loseus played steadily lather than, brilliantly, but made the fatal mistake of peisistently lobbing when their returns were being so uneiringly killed by Ward and McNicol The third item, McLean and Law son v. Manmer and Sampson, was another tough fight, as is evidenced by the score of 9—7 in Wellington's favour. McLean and Sampson performed fairly, but Marrmer's weak all-round play was pioductive of the difference of the two games. The result of the first ladies' double, Mrs. Pieiard and Miss Dumant v. Mis. Howe and Miss Archei (Brougham Hill 7 5), was somewhat of a surprise packet, particularly in. view of Mts. Pierard's easy win an the single from Mrs. Howe. The Wellington ladies were left m the luirch at 4—2,4 — 2, but, although they forced the game towards the finish, could not prevent a win of 7_5 being registered against them. Miss Archer played well, and was ably assisted by her partner's steadiness; wheieas Miss Dimant was hardly as severe as usual in her driving, and Mrs Pierard won the majonty of Wellington's points by her get-them-back efforts. Mrs. Reeves and Miss Hannah were much stronger and more experienced than Mrs Burton and Muss Arthur, who were forced to accept defeat at 7—2. The former pan's dauving was very good, Miss Hannah particularly gettme in some real clinkers The combined events were divided, Brougham Hill winning the first at 7 5 (Herd and Mrs. Burton v. McLean and Miss Hannah), and Welling ton the second at 7—6 (Lawson and Mrs. Reeves v. Sampson and Miss Aithur), in which the winning pair played strongly, whilst Sampson was also aggressive, but did not receive oveimuch assistance fiom his partner, who had a day off. - • « Proceedings at Khandallah weie of a somewhat quiet nature, the tennis as a whole being largely devoid of interest, the local team easily defeating Petone by 10 sets to 3 (97 games to 59). Holdsworth made a special effort to wipe off old scores with Hawkins, but, although he led, s—l, 6—2, 7—4, the tricky Petoneite (after starting indifferently) made a splendid lecovery, and, snapping five gaiLos m succession, took tne set at 9—7. Both men showed up prominently, the loser in particular sending down several shots which beat Hawkins badly when rushing the net. The latter's placang was more effective, as was also his overhead work. A noticeable feature throughout was the paltriness of the service, which, considering the contestants' extraordinary reach, should be then most valuable asset. Fleming is slowly but surely legaining his former confidence, and had his tennis against Cornell been as sound as his exhibition in the double, his long succession of reverses would have been broken. However, he allowed the brilliant nugget to get 3—o3 — 0 on the board, but, after nailing him at 3—33 — 3 and 5—5,5 — 5, gradually fell away, the uphill struggle having left him incapable of a final dash. Cornell never changed his game, and, driving confidently, placed the set to his credit at 9—7.9 — 7. Mackay played his first single for the club, and settled Austin, 9—6,9 — 6, after an uninteresting contest. He ma3e many nice strokes, but when leading 7—27 — 2 cracked up badly thiough oyer-anxiousness, and the visitor took the next four games (6 — 7). Mackay then reooveied himself, and set was called without the loss of another game to him Misses Penny and Bennett were on a will-o'-the-w isp eirand, and could only secure three games all told in then 1 singles against Khandallah's representatives. Miss Bennett shaped confidently in her first appearance as a "soloast" and 2—-72 — -7 from Miss Batham proved much bettei than it looks, the actual points reading 24 — 31. This was the only occasion during the season w"hen two under-hand services appeared in a single but the Petone lady's, though stronger than the usual specimen, could profitably be replaced by the orthodox over-hander.

HolcLswoith and Fleming played a rattling double, and improved on their previous win. (9 — 7) over Hawkins and Cornell, the struggle ending at 9—4.9 — 4. Superior combination' was the key-note of the hill-siders' success The Petonoitos certainly won their singles, but as a double they were utterly outclassed, and when 4—o, 6—l6 — 1 were called, it was all o\ei bar shouting. Fleming's volleying was beautifully timed, and left his racquet with a cuspness that was delightful, nivarialby ending the rally. Holdsworth's work was not quite so clean, but he also scored cleverly at the net The loseis gave a shocking display Paikm^on and Mrs Hawkins accounted for Richardson and Miss X Clark 7—3,7 — 3, and far the better tennis The Petone colt was in great fettle, and, as in his double with Aust'n On which Mackay and Cockayne just pipped them, 9—7)9 — 7) drove fearlessly and accurately to all parts of the con it » • • Comments on the JCew town-College match, also on the Pennant and Racquet competitions, ale unavoidably ciowded ou+. ♦ * * Repoited that the negotiations enteied into by the Biougham Hill Club for the task of msciibing the Cup foi presentation to the 1907-8 champions have been broken off. The third game in the HawkinsHoldsworth single, and the sixth of the great double between McNicol and Waul and Maddox and Herd, contained no less than 9 juices Thirsty p "Guide to Pennant Contest," Rule I—2,1 — 2, Clause none "No. pla-yer is allowed to dunk tea w r hen changing sides, otherwise an opponent may walk off the court." The rule is perfectly clear and Charlie Lawrence's infringement is inexcusable, there being no doubt he was copying Misses Baker and Nun nelly's gag in working the 3-minute spell. Fancy winning a match in that fashion. Oh, Charlie' Where the gentle zephyrs blow — Khandallah. F N. Mansfield now occupies the doubtful position of top-man in the College ten. If Sheppa.rd"s attempt counts for nothing, perhaps HoldsAvorth may convince the juvenile Collegian to-monow that the billet is no sinecure Stick to- him Norrie ; he oan't sound your deathknell' One of the Twelve Disciples — Felix A. Morris See paragraph (too long for reproduction) m "Evening Post," 10th inst page 8 bottom of column 4 What 'ho I Rumouied that F. M. B Fisher's absence is connected with the return nutter to-morrow between G. Smythe and Harry Howe, as it is suspected the Karori-ite has been undergoing a thoiough course of preparation at the hands of the Leader of the Opposition (A D. 2008), who has really only been a stones-throw f/rom the Lance office. Expected daily reports, too, as our sympathies aie all with Smythe — perhaps ' Will (oi can?) Fleming win his single to-monow? Anyway, his last victory was scored against College on November 23rd, 1907, when Tudhope was the victim , so that another win is about a toaind over-due In fact, Fleming has been lapped l Have a good sleep, Archie ' Miss Morgan's answer to recent storm of criticism — highly successful debut m Shield ewcles She defeated Miss Roberts (College), 7—5,7 — 5, in great style, albeit no unusual activity was apparent Peihaps "Huka" was right — a lesson taken to heart is well leaint Well done' News item — "Messrs E Y Redwaid F LaisHey. and J. S. Wilson have accepted the task of handicapping the coming Brougham Hill tournament " Why have the provincial "thiee" been ignored and discarded? Probably soundness is preferred to bnlhancv Unkind' Wonder what the "guns" aie getting for the job — free entrancs? At any rate, they pleaded pressure of business when approached on vaiious occasions to do the "starting" on the Association's behalf ' The Association, should take- steps to present Misses Glasgow and Robinson (Newtown) with badges of efficiency to commemoiate their splendid victory of 7—47 — 4 over the province's strongest double, Mis Hickson and Miss Waid, in, the Wellington fixture. Newtown only won a solitary set, but it was worth the winning. Colendge's masterpiece, "The Ancient MaT(r)iner " has feet of clay, after all. Excruciatingly funny, though, how he continually wipes Kirker, Herd, and Maddox clean off the slate when he feels like a "ladder" canter, and yet his match committee nervously finger the blue-pencil when, selecting the Cup team. Our tip • Box tip the ladder, or get KirkeT, Sampson, or somebody else to take him down !