LAWK TENNIS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18896, 19 December 1924, Page 8

LAWK TENNIS NOTES.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS.

PROMINENT COMPETITORS.

KEEN CONTESTS ASSURED.

The new 3 that Sims and Ollivicr will compete ut tlic Now Zeuluncl tenuis championships at< Christmas will be iccci\ed with delight by Aucklanders. There has not been a championship for years when the full battery of New Zealand's talent has been present both in men s and ladies events, but Auckland is to be specially favoured 1 his time. Tho winners are well concealed. In the men's singles there are: A. Siins, l«. Ollivicr, Dr. Laurenson, >T. C. Peacock, E L. Bnrtleet, If. L. Uohson, Andrews, and J. HI. Lowry, ail capable, ot filling | the coveted position, while there are, others who may create a surprise. Sims will probably be below form for , want of practice. Ollivicr has not been ; quite so prominent.in tournaments of late j years, although he cannot be considered 1 as out ot the reckoning yet. Dr. Lain enson is also likely to b<£ short ot haid practice, but is a player who quickly acquires form. Peacock will be fresh fioin the English tournaments, but years may prove his master in a strenuous tournament. Bartleet is a player who has the brilliancy of strokes and who has been knocking at the door several times. His health is better this year and this might prove to be his tournament. Robson has probably a greater variety of strokes than any competitor, and with a wrist like steel is a powerful player. His largo assortment of strokes, however, often proves his downfall. Andrews has many ft tends. J. X. Lowry is an unknown though welcome performer at New Zealand tourneys. He has been prominent in university tennis in the Old Country, but he has vet to prove himself in the Dominion. There is c, particularly strong entry for tho ladies' championship singles. Miss Spiers, of Christehurch, the present holder, wil de'end the title. She is little known to Aueklanders, and was the find of the last championship meeting. Miss McLaren, of Dunedin, who will also be present, has played in the last two or three tourneys, and improves as she gains experience. Miss Lloyd, of New South Wales, who arrived during the week, will add a. lot of interest by her presence- and will be heartily welcome. She was a member of the New South Wales ladies' team that visited the Dominion in 1922.

Miss Macfarlane lias been prominent in many championships, and last year failed principally through haying to play in a gale of wind. She is in good form, and iner great ball control stands to her well. Miss Knight is another player from whom much has been expected in the past, and tiiis may prove to he her year. The winner should come from the players mentioned, although surprises will no doubt he created by several strong players, who only require to bo on their game to upset calculations. The Invitation Doubles.

The inauguration by the Auckland As- | sociation of men's and ladies invitation doubles matches at Stanley Street a week or two prior to the championship meeting proved a great success, the entries including all the leading players oE Auckland, and despite the weather—there being half a gale blowing most of the afternoon —some excellent, contests eventuated. Whether upset by the wind or whether they have not yet struck form, the present holders of the men's New Zealand doubles title, E. L. Bartleet and H. L. Robson, did not perform at all satisfactorily. In the early stages they nearly vent down to Home and Turner—the Emsey Brothers of the tournament, by Y'l-tue" of their lobbing propensities— and in the semi-final Fot'.eringham and Parker accounted for them, the match running to three sets. On the other side of the draw Griffiths and Brinsden, exAuckland doubles champioi.s, reached the semi-final, but had to lower their colours to the Johns Brothers. The final between V. R. and A. C. Johns and Fotheringham and Parker will be played at Stanley Street to-tnorrow, commencing at 1 p.m., and should provide an even contest. In the ladies' division there were many well-matched pairs, but the combination of Misses Knight and Payton proved too strong for the opposition. Volleying was quite a feature of play in the ladies division. In this respect the winners held the balance of power, for, Miss Knight is probably the best lady volleyer in New Zealand. Two notable additions to the local ranks are Parker and Miss Dulcie Nicholls. The former hails from the Sydney University, and has a good style. Early in the season he was, at times, disappointing, but is rapidly gaining form and will he an acquisition to Auckland tennis. Miss Nicholls is a Wellington girl and is at present the girl champion of New Zealand, and will defend the title at the forthcoming meeting. She is a sister to the well-known All Black, and is the junior member of an athletic family. Although Miss Nicholls is a member of the Remuera Club her full ability was not realised locally until Saturday last, when, partnered by Miss MacCormick, she ana her partner survived until the final. Although Miss MacCoimick, who is in good form this year, must be given full credit for her sound play, the steadiness and cleverness of her partner on the back lino was an important factor in the success of this combination. Miss Nicholls, who is ot !y 16 years of age, has some, remark ■ bly tine shots, and will be heard of in future championships. Invitation From Australia.

The New Smith Wales Association has invited the Now Zealand body to send a team of six men and four ladies to New South Wales. It is unlikely that a mixed team will be, sent, on account of expense, but there is every probability that an efforl will be made tn send a t'ain of four ladies. The last team consisted of Misses Curtis, Macfarlane, Welhvood, and Payton, and the firstmentioned succeeded in winning the Australasian championship. Entries close to-morrow for the Auckland open handicap tournament to bo played on January 1, 2, and 3, for (he Rotorua Christmas tournament on Do cember 23, and for the Taranaki championship and handicap tournament commencing on January 2. Great activity is being shout- in the ladder competitions. In the men's senior ladder. K. W. Griffiths played W. A b'otheringhani and won 6—2, 4 -6, 6 3. and now takes second place, Fotheringham is not. showing (lie form be displayed at the end of last- season. (Irif fi'.hs was in line form, and realising that to 'plav steadily against, bis opponent would only have the effect of turning him into a human volley board, played a far more forceful game than usual, forcing Uotheringham into errors. In the junior ladder competition. J. X. Hunter beat 1). Billing, 10- 8, 6—4, and retains second place.

In the ladies' junior, Miss Asser boat MI - s Lloyd, 7- 5, b 1, and takes fifth plate; Miss 11. Thomson heat Miss Stint, 6—3. 6 - / 1, and takes seventh place.

INTEIR-CLUB MATCHES. 'JLA.MS ! Olf. '10-M.ORROW. The iiiterclub matches, under the. (,-ontrul of the Auckland Tennis Association, will bu resumed to 'uorrow. The tixtuics are as follow:— H Grade. Devouport v. Mount Albert, at Stanley Strict. (J <'■ rade.--Aratonga. v. Grammar. Stanley Street: Devonport v. Y ..M.C.A., Dovoii!>ort-. Rcnn >;ra v. Bayfield, Hayticld; Aratonga B v. Rawhiti, Aratonga. The teams ur«': B <;UADE. Devonport.—Simpson, Tattou, Allison, Porter, Renshaw, ami .Tuild; Mis.s M. Mason, Mrs. ilogan, Mrs. Allison, Miss Taylor Mount Albert>.icbolson, Boyes, Hardy, Wells, Radeliffe, Smeetoii; blisses .1. ,\!cClyniont. Mc( "lyiuont. Mann, Burton. •' (iRADE. Amtuiipa,—Coldhani, Fov/ler, Curr, llardy, Wood, Sharpies; Mendaines; Fowler, Cold--1 ham, Worsop, and Miss Wood.

Grammar— G. Comes (capt.), W. ors lfey, A. Barnaby, H. Presron, F. Busby, G. Wilson; Misses Gregson, Greatbatch, Carte DeTOnport.-F. J. Prime. Bennett, Barker, Harvey, McLeod, A. White; Mrs Bi.ll, Mrs. Lord, Miss M. Neville, Miss Md .r. Y.M.C.A.—Men: E. kitchener <■ M. Dykes, F. Keesing, W. H. Woods, A. A;. Casley, R. W. Ellis. Emergencies: K. Or. Jeal and F. G. Dillon. Ladies-Misses S. Dibble, B. Sharpe, E. Steele, L Scott. Emergencies: Misses btoddart and i>eaumont. ' , ... T , ... Remuera.—A. W. Lamb !N. W. Bowjfc.i, S. Self. ,T. K. Hall (capt.) J. Manning. F. Lintott; Misses D. Nicholls, D. Wilson, H. Asser, G. Hey man. , . Bavfield.—E. Thompson. J. Bassett A. Bassett (capt.). O. Litherland J Johnstone, M. Walker; Misses V. Knell. H. Miller, M. Hilton. 1). Murray. Aratonga B.—Scott. Fowler, Bell. Little, Banks, Pitcher; Misses Bell, Darling. Mrs. Little, Miss Carter. . v \r o yi Rawl.iti— Hallett. Putdy (capt.). Maddox. Whineray. Laud. Reid: Mrs. Stanley, Miss Hnyden. Miss Dicken. Mrs. Woods. Mount Albert.—R. A. Potter. R. H. Potter, Crum. ]\ night, Caughey. Burton, Misses Butler, treennin. Mrs. Hislop, Mrs. C °Un < ited —P. D. .Tones (capt.). McNeil, Bps wick, McDowell. Budd, Whitburn; Mrs Wtrrren Miss I'iff km, Mrs. Miller, Miss WagstafTe.