LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13086, 27 January 1906, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

The championship finals will be played on Monday next, Anniversary Day, at the West End lawns. It was found impossible to use the Eden and Epsom courts as the Mount Eden 'bus service is likely to be suspended, and players would have found it very awkward to reach the ground, while tho attendance of the public would have been extremely small. It is acknowledged that the Ponsonby courts are inferior in many ways to those at Mount Eden, but the association has arranged for special attention in the way of rolling and watering, so that little fault should bo found with the courts when the balls start flving on Monday. The central position of the grounds should encourage a good muster ot spectators. The College Hill trams pass within a few yards of the gate. The charge for admission is fixed at bd.

There is sure to be a great fight for the honours in all the championship events, and it should well repay players and the publicalike to be present on Monday. Certainly our young players should make a point of watching these finals, as from men like Keith and Grossman a lot can be learned. _ The public have not often had an opportunity of watching tennis, for big games have always been played at Mount Eden. The fixtures for Monday should give everyone who cares for the game at all a chance of witnessing some really good contests. Fortunately there is not likely to be any one-sided contests in tho championship finals. Every event will be fought to a finish, and I expect to see some good tennis. Now, as: to who are to be the champions foi 1905-6: — Men's Singles: We should see a " dingdong", battle between Dr. Keith and J. P. Grossman, worth going a 'ong way to see. Both are players of great experience, with knowledge of every fine point of the game. I expect this to be a pretty display. The Eden and Epsom Club representative is expert in overhead work, ground shots and volleying in general, and is the more aggressive of the two. .Keith relies on accurate placing and tricky'play. The latter has not been well lately, and as condition should be a factor in the result, I expect to see Grossman just about win. Men's Doubles: This should bo fought out by Grossman and Mair v. Paterson and Upton Tho West End pair are playing well. Paterson at his best is not to be despised, while his partner is a reliable support, being particularly strong on his back-hand. I cannot, however, go past the Eden and Epsom representatives in view of their fine aggressive play, and shall name them to win. Ladies' Singles: Miss Udy is accurate and strong, and so far as I can see should be this season's champion. Ladies' Doubles: In this event a fine game should be seen, but Miss Gray is playing so well that I think she and Miss Rice will prove a little too strong for the. West End pair (Misses Nicholson and Whitelaw). Combined Doubles: This is a bit of a. puzzle, but in spite of the success achieved by outsiders, I shall pin my faith to the champions of last season, and thus select Billing and Miss Udy to win the final. Championship matches played during the week resulted as follows: — Grossman beat Pickmere, 6—o, 64, 6—o; A. S. C. Brown beat Hickson, 3—5, 7—5, 6—3, 6— 2; Keith beat Bamford, 6—2, 6—o, 6— Billing beat Heather, 6—4, 6—4, B—6; Miss P. Gorrie beat Miss Whitelaw, 6—l, 6—2. Paterson and Upton beat Billing and Bamford, 6—3, I—6, 6—2, I—6, 6—4-. This was a fine, fight. Paterson has picked up bis old form and was well supported by Upton. The West End pair will go very near the coveted honour. Morpeth and Hickson beat W. A. Brown and Ruddock, 6—3, 6—3, 7—5. A creditable win this for the colts, who put in sterling work together. Grossmand and Mair beat A.S.C. Brown and Heather, 6—4, 2—5, 6—4, 6—4. Grossman's overhead work and accuracy again won the day in spite of a good effort by the opposing pair. "Maddox and Stevenson beat S. and L. Longuet. The West End pair were not playing up to form, and appeared to be troubled by the uncertain light. Stevenson played his usual pretty game, while Maddox showed to advantage with his low cuts. W. A. Brown and Miss Stewart beat Cooke and Mrs. Cooper, B—6, B—6. The North Shore nair have evidently gone off, as they should "not have been beaten by this combination if in good form. Grossman and Miss Buttle beat Keith and Miss Holland, 7—5, o—6, 7—5. This was a replay, and the result proved the same as on the first try. Billing and Miss Udy beat Upton and Miss G. Gorrie, 6—l, B—6. Last season's champions had a hot time in the second sat, but their experience eventually enabled them to score"a win without the necessity of a third set. Misses Gray and Rice beat the Misses Gorrie. The winners played well together, and deserved their success. Hickson and Miss Gray beat Bamford and Miss P. Gorrie, 3—6, 6—l, 6—l. After appropriating the first set the losers appeared to collapse, and made a very poor stand. The result came rather as a surprise. Miss Gray played splendidly. She gets to everything and uses fine judgment. Pickmere and Miss Gorrie beat A.S.C. Brown and Miss Rice, 3—6. 6—2, 6—3. This result was quite a shock, as the losers were fully expected to play into the final. Pickmere was in good form, but Brown did not show his usual strength. Miss Gorrie gave her partner splendid support, playing in her best form. W. A. Brown and Miss Stewart beat Grossman and Miss Buttle. 6—4, 6—3. Still another boil-over. Miss Stewart was playing at the top of her form, as also was her partner, who excelled in volleying. The complexion of affairs has been quite changed so far as the combineds are concerned by these later matches. It is most encouraging to see our young players oDflttng to the front. Grossman beat A. S. C. Brown, 6—4, 6—o, 6—3. The latter made a game fight, but could make little impression on his opponent. Miss Udy beat Miss IP. Gorrie, 6—l, 16, 7—5; a close thing. Miss Gorrie played up well, and very nearly won a place in the final. Miss Stewart beat Miss Rice, 6—2, 6—2. The result of this puts tho winner into the final. It was an unexpected but well deserved victory. The following are the results of the Parnell Club's handicap and championship events to date: — Ladies' Championship: Miss Preece v. Mrs. Bloomfiekl, 6—3, B—6, 5—3; Miss Parsons v. Miss Walker, I—6, 6—4, 6—l.

Ladies' Doubles (Handicap): Mrs. Bloomfield and Mr. Holmes (owe 3—6) v. Misses Frater and Stubbs (receive 3—5): 6—3, 6—5.

Ladies' Handicap Singles: Miss E. Grcig (receives 15) v. Miss F. Basby (receives 15), 6—l, 6—3; Miss I'reeee (scr ) v. Miss F. Walker (receives 15), 6—!., 6—5, Miss M. Walker (owes 3—6) v. Mrs Holmes (scr.), 6—2, 6—4-; Mis. Bloomfielci (scr., v. Miss S. Greig (receives 15), 6—4, 6—o.

Men's Handicap Singles: Mowbray (owes 2—6) v. Frater (receives 2—6), 6—o, 6—5; Dnlliie (receives 2—6) v. Wingfield (receives 2—6), 6—l, 3—6, 6—l; E. Brown (owes 15) v. Macldox (owes 30), I—6, 6—2, 6—3; Pavitt (owes 15) v. Haroovirt (receives 15), 6—o, 6—2; Rev. Sutton (owes 15) v. G. Kent (ser.), 6—4. 6—3; Stevenson (owes 30) v. Carter (owes 3 —6), 6—o, 6—5; I.e Sieur (owes 15 2—6) v. McGhie (owes 15), 6—5, 6 — Martin (receives 3 —6) v. Inncs (receives 2—6), 6—l, cV—l. Men's Doubles: Duthie and Gilrillan (ser.) v. Gossett and Smith (receive 15), 6—5, 4—6. 6—3; Newton and Marsack (owe 3— v. Dutliie and Gilfillan (scr.), 6—2, 6—5; Basley and Cruickshank (scr.) v. Mitchell and Keesinjr (receive 15 —6). —3, 6—l l Simpson and Le Sieur (owe 30£) v. Noble and Ward (owe 3—6), 6—l, 6—2. The following matches have been played up to date in the Devonport handicap tournament: — Men's Singles: First round—H. C. Rishworth received a bye from E. P. Earlo; S. H. Mackv (owes 2—6 15) beat H. R. Cooke (owes 30), 6—3, 2—6, 6—2; T. B. Howarth (receives 3—6 15), beat Wheeler (ser.), 6—2. 6—3. Second round—H. W. Cooke (scr.) beat Hall (owes 15), 6—3, 5—6, 6—o: S. H. Mucky (owes 2-6 15) beat. H. C. Rishworth (receives 3—6 15), 6—l, —6, 6—4 ; T. Macky (owes 40) beat Smythe (owes 2—6, 15), 6—4, 6—5; Redman (owes 15) beat K. F. Howarth (owes 15), -2—6, 6—2, 6—4: C. Brabant (»cr.) beat T. B. Howarth (receives 3—6 15), 3—5, 6—2, 6—l. ( Men's Doubles: First round Hall and H. R. Cooke (owe 40), beat Young and Wheeler (owe 15 3—6), 6—4, 6—3; Bartlcy and Smythe (ser.). beat T. Macky and S. H. Macky (owe 40). 6—5, 3—6, 6—2; H. W. Cooke and K. F. Howarth) received a bye from T. B. Howarth and R. Macky. Combined Pairs: A. Howarth and Miss Metcalfe (owe 15) beat H. Foster and Miss Cousins (scr.), 6-4, 6—l; H. W. Cooke and Mrs. Cooper (owe 30) beat, Smythe and Miss Macindoa (receive 3—6 15), 6—5, 6—5; Francis Brabant and Miss Dudcr beat Young and Mrs. White (scr.), 2—5, 6—2, 6—4; Hall and Miss Canthron received a bye from T. B. Howarth and Miss Cardno.

Ladies Singles: Miss Mason (receives 3—6 15) beat Miss E. Alison (receives 15 4—6), 6—4, 3—6, 6—3; Miss T. Alison (receives 30) b*at Mis* Hand-lev (receives 15), 6—4. 6—3; Miss D. Metcalfe (receives 3—6 15) teat Mrs. Swan (receives 3-6 15), 6-5, 2—6. 6—3.