CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 12

CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS.

NEW ZEALAND TOURNAMENT. GREAT PLAY IN FINALS. OLLIVIER RETAINS TITLE. TRIUMPH FOR MISS SPEIRS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CERISTCHUECH, Friday. The New Zealand tennis ■were concluded in much cooler* weather yesterday, before very; large'attendances. The men's doubles final, Which commenced at 3.30 p.m., had to bo postponed till later in the day, owing to a slight injury to "Wilson's eye in the third game. A fast ball bounced off his racket and put him temporarily out of action. The weather held fine until the last set of the concluding match, which was played in fairly sharp showers. Tho men's singles was won by Ollivier, the title holder, in fairly decisive fashion, after he had lost the first set against the great sp<>ed and length of his younger opponent, D. G. France. Ollivier, however, kept France moving and was able to force him into a greater number of errors owing to superior court-craft. Tho gams was remarkably fast and the general opinion was that France played tho best tennis of the tournament, apart from Ollivier, but he could not sustain the speed with which he woif the first set. Miss Speirs played like a champion from tho first rally with Mrs. Scott, whom she beat decisively in the final on the same court two years ago. Miss Speirs was also the deciding factor in winning the combined doubles with France against Miss Marion Macfarlane and HilL In spite of the fact that they had just played tho singles finals the Canterbury players dominated tho game and their win gave Miss Speirs a triple title, equalling the record held by Misses Nunneley and Curtis. The men's doubles final was remarkable for the determined fight by Peacock and Wilson after thqy lost tho first two sets against Ollivier and Seay. Tho result was really due to a bad slump by Ollivier, who dropped many service games and mad 6 many errors. Nevertheless, Peacock's success in the event, which ho first won in 1900, was extremely popular. A great deal of sympathy was also felt by the crowd for Wilson for his pluck in playing with an injured eye. Play in tho championships was admittedly on as high a level as in former years. A feature of the presentation of prizes by Mr. W. N. Seay, president of the New Zea-.and Association, was tho handing over to Miss Speirs of a huge bouquet from lady club mates. 9 MIXED DOUBLES. Semi-finals: Miss Speirs and France beat Miss Ballantyne and Smyth, 7 —5, 9 —7; Miss Marion Macfarlano and Hill beat Miss Tracy and Wilson, B—6,8 —6, 5—7, 6—2. Final: Misis Speirs and D. G. France (Canterbury) beat Miss Marion M'acfarlane (Auckland) ( and Hill (New South Wales), 7-5 6-4. MEN'S DOUBLES. Final: Wilson and Peacock (Wellington) beat Seay and Ollivier (Canterbury), 2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6—2, 6-4. MEN'S SINGLES. Final: G. Ollivier (Canterbury) beat D. G. Franco (Canterbury), 5 —7, 6—4, 6 —2) 6—l. LADIES' SINGLES. Final: Miss May Speirs (Canterbury) beat Mrs. Scott (South CanteAury) i .6—3, 6-4. The issociation banner and Wilding Memorial Cup were won by Canterbury with nine points. Wellington scored three points, Auckland one and South Canterbury one.