LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 5 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

Although the prospects were not favourable on Good Friday, players were able to get a game on the Saturday and Monday. All the club courts were well patronised.

The North Shore club's handicap singles was won by K. Macky. In the final he defeated A. Ilowarth with comparative ea>e. The winner played a nice, steady game, his placing being exceptionally good for one so young, The Shore club i< fortunate in having a number of colts who should, with steady practice, work their way to the front in the future.

I bear that there has been some talk of the tenuis clubs following suit with the cricketers in setting over a load or two of Built soil. None of our tennis clubs have a big surplus to risk, hut there is no doubtthat some. of the lawns are capable of much improvement, and members would willingly make some sacrifice to have real .good courts at their disposal Probably more- will lie heard of the idea when the various clubs bold their meetings.

Th» Auckland Lawn Tennis ('Tub's handicap mulches resulted as under:—Ladies' singles. Miss Butters; ladies' doubles, Mrs. ('burton and Miss Liekon: combined doubles, Mrs. Palethorpe and Sandford:. men's doubles, McLean ami Palethorpe: men's singles. Hudson. Mr. Ledingham's trophy (ladies' singles handicap) was won by Miss Picket!.

The various matches in connection with the West End l.awn Tennis Club are now nsarly completed, the following being the results:—Ladies' handicap singles, Miss F. •Patterson; ladies' handicap doubles. Miss A. Nicholson and Miss Whitelaw; combined handicap doubles. Miss .1. Raterson and MoGhie: men's championship singles, -1. Paterson; men's handicap singles, H. Morpeth: lien's handicap doubles, dittos and Endeati play Oliphant and Tibbs in final. The matches have been exciting throughout, and some very close finishes have beer recorded. The sole baudicapper, Mi. Burton, who is to be congratulated oil the results, was at the last annual meeting reappointed f<v the coining season. The men's championship singles resulted in favour 'if Mr. .T. Raterson. In the final he bent- Maddov 7—5. 6—4. 9—7. He was rathe.- fortunate in winning three sets straight, as the "allies were very close throughout, and Maddox had the lead of 5—3 and 3—l in the second and third sets. Mr. S. Upton (West End) is only now playing in anything like form. It is a pity that he is unable to practice more, for then lie would have a very strong claim for championship honours. The West End Lawn Tennis Club will close the season this afternoon, wh p n the bachelors will hold their "At Homo. Progressive tannis will be played, commencing at. two p.m. sharp. During the afternoon the president, Mr. C. .T. Parr, will present the prizes won during the season. All friends are cordially invited. ' The ladies of the West End Tennis Club held a very successful "At Home" 1111 Tuesday afternoon last, when progressive tennis was played. In the first grade Miss B. Brown, of the Mount Eden lawn, and Mrs. Manning, of West End, won, while the second grade prize went to Miss Picken, of the Auckland Club, and Miss Atkinson, of Parnell. THE DAVIS CUP COMPETITIONS. The Davis Clip competitions, for which Australasia has entered a team this year, are recognised to be for the wo* d's championship at lawn tenuis. The cup was first offered by Mr. Dwiglit F. Davis, of America, in 1900. to lie held as a perpetual challenge cup. The first year a challenge was issued by the English Association, but the team sent to America, consisting of A. W. Gore, E. D- Black, and H. R. Barrett, was easily defeated, mainly owing to the use by the Americans of the now famous "American twist service." Undaunted, England again challenged in 1901, but as a representative team could not, be got together, the challenge ..was withdrawn. In 1902 a strong team, consisting of R. F. Doherty, H. L. Doberty. and Dr. J. Rim. had another try to capture the cup. but met. with > i second defeat- In - three matches to two. Then in 1903 the British Isles team, composed of the Doherty brothers and 11. S. Matiotiy. mede theif memorable and successful effort, and the most remarkable series of matches that have vet been played eventuated. Mahony was not played, but the Dohertvs. in a brilliant. and decisive manner, thoroughly routed the Americans to the time of four matches to one, the sole victory credited the losers being secured on a forfeit. The cup thus found a resting-place in England, where, notwithstanding ail attack by Belgium and France last year, it still remains.