LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES.

AUCKLAND V. TARANAKI.

WIN . FOR THE HOME TEAM.

The inter-provincial tennis- match. Auckland v. Taranaki, was played on the Eden and Epsom courts yesterday, and resulted in

a win for Auckland by 16 matches to three. The weather, though dull, was fine, and the courts were in excellent order. Many close matches were played, and although Auckland won by . such a substantial margin, the visitors put up an excellent fight In many of the gamas. Practically all the Taranaki team were out of practice, attributable to the fact' that the weather experienced in. Taranaki during the summer has been quite the reverse to ideal for tennis. Otherwise more matches would probably have been won by the visitors. Wallace and Dickie, ex-New Zealand champions, represented Taranaki in the men's doubles against Laorenson and Bobson. The visitors gave a fine exhibition, and showed that they had by no moans lost their former dash and ability to combine with each other. Laurenson in his match against Wallace showed splendid form, particularly in driving. His smashing, however, was not as hard as usual, owing to the fact that he strained one of his sides a week or so ago. Wallace did not display his full capabilities, and the match went to Laurenson, 6— i, —2. The visitors won two of the three men's doubles played, and showed that they had a better idea-of the doubles game than the Auckland players. Mrs- Marshall, Auckland, had a very strenuous match, with Miss Thomson, the first sot being won by the fbrmer, —13, and the next by the same player, 6— In the combined events Nicholson and Miss Brewster played Laurenson and Miss-Gorrie, and the visitors at one stage of the fame were within a point of victory, he first set went to the Auckland players, 6—3, and the visitors, led. 6—o, in the second. The Aucklanders won the nextfour games, but the Taranaki players were not to be denied, and won the set, 6—4, Nicholson winning the final game with a most brilliant volley. Laurenson and Miss Gorrie, however, succeeded in winning the final set. 7—5. after a hard struggle. Wallace and Miss Bundle created a surprise by defeating Griffiths and Miss Macfarlane, the holders of the New Zealand combined championship.. Wallace played a magnificent game, and outclassed Griffiths. Throughout the match he dominated the play. Following are the results, the Auckland players being mentioned first in each instance :— Men's Singles.—Laurenson defeated Wallace. 6——2; E. Bartleet defeated Nicholson. 6—4, —5.; Bobson defeated Dickie, B—6. 6—2; H. Webster defeated C. Webster, 6—2, 6—4- Griffiths defeated Powdrell. 6—3, 7—5; Snelling defeated Poden, —5, 6— Men's Doubles.— and Bobson lost to Wallace and Dickie, 4—6, 2—6; H Webster and E. Bartleet lost to Nicholson and C. Webster, 4— I—6; Griffiths and Snelling defeated Powdrell and Poden, 4—6, 6—l, 6—3. Ladies' Singles.—Miss Payton defeated Miss Bundle 62, —5; Miss Gorrie defeated Miss Brewster, 6—4, 6 — Miss Macfarlane defeated Miss Simpson, 6—3, 6—4; Mrs. Marshall' defeated Miss Thomson. 1618. 6— Ladies' Doubles.—Misses Payton and Gorrie defeated Misses Bundle' and Brewster, 7—5, 6—4; Miss Macfarlane and Mrs. Marshall defeated Misses Simpson and Thomson, 6—3, 6—2. Combined Doubles.—Laurenson and Miss Gorrie defeated Nicholson and Miss Brewster, 6—3, 4—6. 75; Griffiths and Miss Macfarlane lost to Wallace and. Miss Bundle, 4—6, 2—6 Robson and Miss Payton defeated Webster and Miss ■ Simpson, —4, 61: Bartlett and Mrs- Marshall defeated DiclSe and Miss Thomson, 7—5, 6—3.

VISIT OF BRITISH TEAM. The members of the British tennis team. Beamish and Lowe will play a match against a New Zealand team at Wellington to-morrow. The New Zealand team will consist of G. Ollivier. and J. C. Peacock. The British players will arrive in Auckland on Tuesday, and will play an exhibition match against - Auckland on the Eden and Epsom courts on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. The Auckland team has not yet been selected, but it has been suggested that A. Wallace, of Taranata, should partner Dr. Laurenson. Wallace is an ex-New Zealand champion, and in all his matches against Auckland yesterday showed that he is rapidly returning to form. With a few days'practioo he should give an even better account of himself. «