LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12231, 28 March 1903, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

On Saturday afternoon last the Eden and Epsom Club held their "Bachelors' 'At Homo.' " Three rounds of progressive tennis were played, the winners being:—Ladies : First prize, 'Mrs. Rose (of Wellington); second prize, Miss Gorrie. Gentlemen: First prize, Mr. J. Turner; second prize, Mr. H. E. Smith.

In the club's tournament, .the following matches have been played: — Men's Handicap Singles: T. S. Ruddock (owes 2-6) beat H. D. Bamford (owes 2-6) : 6—2, 2—6, 6—5. The final now lies between J. P. Grossman (owes 15-3) and T. S. Ruddock (owes 2-6), and an exciting match is anticipated. In the ladies' handicap singles the final will bo played between Miss D. Udy (owes 15) and Miss G. Gorrie (receives 3-6). This afternoon the "West End Club play progressive tennis, when other members, who will be the guests of the bachelors, are requested to be on the lawns at half-past two o'clock. _ During the afternoon the president of the club (Mr. C. J. Parr) will present the trophies in connection with the club's tournament, which has now been completed. The West End Club arc closing three of their courts on April 4-, and it is their intention to dig them up alid relay them at once, so that they ma'y be in good condition for next season's play. Entries for the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association's championship and handicap tournament close on April 4 "and March 31 respectively. Mr. H. A. Parker, New Zealand's champion, expects to return from Sydney in time to compete. Several wellknown players from the South Island are arranging . L o be present at this meeting. There will be a meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association delegates during next week, when matters of importance will be brought forward. Several local players suggest that the men's doubles championship should be best of five sets, and not as at present, best of three sets. In the Auckland Club's tournament the final for the combined doubles was played during the week. Mrs. Goss and Mr. Robertson (receive 5) beat Mrs. C'oatos and Mr. Jackson (scratch): 7— 6—3. This olub is sending a representative team to play the Papatoetoe Club, at Papatoetoe, to-day. The team will consist of Mrs. Coates, Mrs. Churton Mrs. Palethorpe. Miss Ring, and Messrs. Johnson. Mickle, Palethorpe, and Robertson. There is also a probability that the West End Club will send a team next Saturday. An effort is to be made to bring the club matches at Parnell near a'close to-day. All members having matches still to play are expected to attend, and absentees will likely be scratched to allow of the various events to advance a stage. The Misses Crump and MeCahon and Messrs. R. Brown and W. Wi Repa. or W. A.. Fairclough, will in all probability represent the Otago University in the tennis championship to ha held in Auckland at Easter in connection with the Inter-'Varsity tournament.

The representative match between 'Wellington and Canterbury will be played at Lancaster Park to-day. The teams will, in all probability, consist of six gentleman and two or more lady players. If Wellington can send a. fully representative team the match should be close and interesting, for, with two or three exceptions, these two provinces number all the first-class players of the colony.