LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18890, 12 December 1924, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

v i — DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. .- • ' PARTNERS IN THE DOUBLES. [ -STRONG ENTRY ASSURED.

-Most of the pairs for the New Zealand ; 7awn tennis championship meeting at Chtfstmas are now made up, and the folA 10-wing are probable partners: Mens Doubles: Robson and Bartleet of the title), Lawrence and Griffiths, Fotheringham and Smythe, Andrews /-and Ebwry, V. R. and A. C. Johns, W«j;iace and Dickie. Ollivier and feeay, Sims ,and Sims, France, and France, Home and its I Ladies' Doubles: Mrs. Melody and Miss McLaren (holders). Miss Knight (Auek- - ,Jand) and Miss Lloyd .(N.8.W;)., the "- fosses Macfarlane, .Mrs. Marshall and Misa N. MacCormick, Misses Peyton and Snow Clark, Misses Ramsay and Taylor. '- . „• Combined Doubles: Eobson and -Miss Macfarlane (holders), Wallace and Miss McLaren, Fotheringham and Miss Marion Macfarlane, Bartleet and Mrs. MarshaJJ, D. G. France and Miss Snow Clark, \. R. Johns and Miss Knight, A. C. Johns •And Miss Pavtou, Lampe and Miss Mac•Ormick, Goss and Miss Lloyd (N.S.W.). There is still a little uncertainty whether [Arthur Sims will defend tho men's singles' title, but latest advices seem to indicate that there is a strong probability that he :will come North. Ollivier is another who -was doubtful, but is likely to be a competitor. If these two top-notcbers compete the entry should be tho strongest at any New Zealand tournament of late years.

The Intcr-Olub Contests.

Tho first, of the A grade intcr-club matches was played last Saturday, when Parnell defeated Marine Suburbs. The surprise of tho match was the failure of the Parnell men against their opponents. Had Marino Suburbs had stronger lady players they would easily have reversed the result.

,; The win of the Parnell B grade team over Eden and Epsom indicates that while the former club has few topiiotchers, their players arc of a very even standard. Ladder Matches.

Two ladder matches of considerable intcres* were, played during the week, *Eff -I/. Bartleet being successful on each occasion. Toward the end of last seaSon Bartleet was beaten for first place by W. A. Fotheringham, and failing to take up the challenge of E. W. Griffiths dropped to third placo on the ladder. He has now succeeded in beating both these players, tho score against Griffiths being 6 —4, 6—B, 6—l, and that against Fotheringham 6 —2, 4 —6, 6—3. Bartleet isi in good form at present, and his service, which is probably, the best in New Zealand when going' properly, upset his opponents considerably. "; Bartleet, Fotheringham and Griffiths nov; occupy first, second and third plac33 respectively on tho senior ladder. If is pleasing to see our top-notchers lighting for their places. The ladder is, the best test of ability in match play, and prevents players holding their positions in representative tennis on reputation only. There are often surprises created as different players beat one another, but often an under-rated 'olayer obtains an opportunity to make i good his claim. There are also occasions,, when, through misfortune of one sort or another, a player may lose his place, but there :.s always the oppor- . tunity to regain it, and if a player is lceen and plucky enough to prove his ability he has his chance of playing matches' and climbing the ladder." I Fotheringham was an excellent example Starting from one of the bottom rungs he climbed to the top, and Bartleet is now to be congratulated on having righted himself as first player in in a, Auckland association.

}\ •■■« Taranaki and Rotorua Tourneys, ' Entries for the Taranaki championship and handicap tournament to be played on the New Plymouth courts on , January. 6, 7. 8 and 9, close on Friday. January 2. Entry forms are now to I.hand. The Taranaki tournament is alI ways an enjoyable one, and is generally well patronised by Aucklanders, who Appreciate the great hospitality always extended to visitors. This year the entries should be good, as many competitors from the New Zealand meeting will undoubtedly raake this their next tournament. Despite the counter-attraction of the "New Zealand tourney to be held at -'"Auckland daring Christmas week, the 'Rotorua Club has decided to hold their usual tournament, which has been held for years at this time of the year. It is popular with players, and visitors ali:.<e, and some good talent is generally • assembled there. The programme is a •full one, including both championship -and handicap events. The dates are [December 25, 26 and 27, and entries close on December 23 with Mr. F. G. [Reed, Box 32,- Rotorua. Following the adult fixture will be a tourney for boys and gh'ls, the events ranging from competitors of 12 years of age up to 16 years. Tin's will be on Thursday and Friday, January 15 and 16, and entries close on January 14.

i Auckland Handicap Tournament. ; . Tho Auckland handicap tournament, n(; which it is expected many of the champions from all parts of New Zealand will enter, is to be started on New Year's Day, and continued on tho suc- • eeding two days at the Ecmuera courts. Entries close with the secretary, Box 733, on December 20, and forms are ob(tainablo at the clubs.

DOUBLES CONTEST TO-MORROW

MEN'S AND L.ADIES' EVENTS.

The inter-flub matches will bo suspended at Stanley Street to-morrow in order to enable men's and ladies' doubles contests to be played. These should prove exciting, and spectators should iind them well worth witnessing. The following are the draws:— Men's Doubles.—Griffiths and Brindsen v. Steel and Lamb, Tonks and Macfarlane v. Campbell and Brown, Richardson and Rowlands v. Francis aid Partridge, •lohns and Johns v. Coates and Hunt. J'otheriugham and Parker v. Potter and Torrens, Gardner and Clark v. Home and Turner, Bartleet and Robson v. Knott and Jackson, Tallis and Bjddell v. Ent-v-istlo and Chalmers, Harrison and Harrison a bye. Watkins and Gardiner a Lye. Ladies' Doubles.—Misses Ramsay »and Kerr Taylor v. Misses Pnyt.on and Knight, Misses Colebrook and Witherow v. .Misses Lowry and Worrall, Misses Pagni and •Richards v. "Misses MacFarlu»e, Miss Mac- , Conflict and Mrs. Marsha!] i bye. Men taking part in tin competition must be ready to commence play at 12.50 p.m. Ladies must In' ready at 2 p.m. All matches are to be best of three sets, third set vantage with exception of the final of the men's dovlblrs. which is to bo bcit of five advantage sets.

THE PA PA ELBA CLUB,

.'The, following players will represent the .Piip-ikura Tennis Club against North J>!<iad,: at North Road. Clevedon, 10-mor-vow---Ladies: Mrs. Bilkey, Misses J. L. Wilson, E. Hutchison, O. McLennau. M. McKmiion: reserves. Miss A- McLonnan; Men: S. "Wood. V. El--iiottVfi" 'Honderson, H. Shostrora G Hutchison, J. Wardlaw: reserve;,, F. Henderson, \\\ Francis.