LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17966, 16 December 1921, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

FIXTURES. December 26, 27, 28—«ew Zealand Championship Tournament. Auckland Handicap Tournament, Rotorua Handicap Tournament. January 28, 30-Auckland Championship Tournament. TO-MORROW'S MATCHES. The teams for the round of inter-club' tennis mntchos in the B and C grades to' be played to-morrow will remain as pub- i lished last week. B grade matchos will be played on th 0 Auokland, Onehungu, Toka-! puna, Papatoetoe. and Northcote courts, and C grade on tho Otahuhu. Y.M.C.A., and Rawhiti courts. The following is the' draw:— B GradeL'—First Section: Auckland v. Parnell. Onehunga v. Eden and Epsom, lakapuna v. Devonport. B Grade.—Second Section: Papatoetoe v. Y.M.C.A., Northcote v. Otahuhu. C Grade.—Otahuhu v. Onehunga. Rawhiti v. Papatoetoe. Y.M.CA. v. Northcote. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Tennis enthusiasts have a just grievance against the clerk of tho weather. Conditions before the lawns were ready for play were Ideai, and anticipation of an carlv season was running high, but the old hands, who shook their heads and prophesiod that ws should catch it later dn are now accredited weather prophets The heavy rain that fell on Friday and early on Saturday morning prevented the playjng of inter-club matches, with the exception of the St. Heliers v. Mount Albert match, which was completed. The round set down for last Saturday will be played to-morrow. In order to prevent clashing with senior grade fixtures it has been found necessary to rearrange the dates of the draw, the matches originally set down for December 17 being lifted out or scheduled for Fobruary The selection committee of the Auckland Tennis Association has chosen the following team to represent Auckland against Canterbury for the Wilding memorial shield: — Messrs E. L. Bartleet. L. Robson. E. W. Griffiths (captain), and T. Clark- There were ere or two other nlnyere under consideration, who were not available. Taken on the whole, th.s team is about as strong as can bo selected at the present time. It is up against a sterling proposition, as the defenders of the shield include G. Ollivier, who is probably the best player in Now Zealand today. It is anticipated, however, that the local team will acquit itself creditably and has a good fighting chance. Intending competitors for the Auckland handicap tournament are reminded that entries close with tho secretary for tho tournament, Box 733, on Monday. A number of our top-notchers intend competing, and, provided the weather conditions are favourable, an enjoyable tourney should result. Arrangements have been made lor lunch to be obtainable on the ground. The full nine courts of tho Remuera Club will be used. The financial committee appointed to raise funds for laying down association court, erecting pavilion, etc, has " got busy," and already a prospectus is in circulation, setting out the scheme for debentures. The association has worked hard in the past for a home, and having now attained, its aim's it is for olub members and tennis' enthusiasts generally to financially assist, and so enable the game to be lifted from the ruck. Given n good start the courts should pay expenres and provide a sinking fund to extinguish tho debentures in ten years. Entries for Dunlop Shield matches include Eden and Epsom, Onehunga, Remuera, Parnell, and Whangarei. These matches are to be played during the week preceding the Anr.Kl«ir> championships. ~ , ... , The Waikato Lawn Tennis Association s first championship and handicap tournament, will be held at Hamilton on December .31 and January 2 and 8. The programmo ineludes Waikato men's, championship .singles and doubles. oombined . ohammonßhip doubles, ladios' ohampionship .singles and doubles, mon's handicap, singles and Roubles, ladles' bandioap. singles and doubles, and combined handicap doubles, entries close on December 20. G. Ollivier will probably play only in the singles at the New Zealand lawn tennis championship meeting. It is possible that Bonnineton, who has been in Sydney lor feme Vme. will be present at the meeting and Ollivier may then attempt the doubles with Bonnington as a partner Other likely entrants are: Denton, and Field. Goss and Greenwood. Aitken and- Wi drag. Brav (Dunedin) and Clark. Browning and Dawson, Holford and Loughnan. Gobs and Green-) wood appear the strongest"combination of, those mentioned.