LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19517, 22 December 1926, Page 17

LAWN TENNIS.

NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. AUCKLAND MATCH THIS WEEK DOMINION TOURNAMENT. BY S'LIK-LIN'E. The New South Wales team, which arrived at Auckland yesterday, will play the first match of the tour on Saturday, whe.u iit will try conclusions with the Auckland team. The absence of Kalms through illness will cause general disappointment and will considerably weaken the visitors. Tire last match between Auckland and New South Wales took place in 1924, when the visitors won bv five matches to three. The selection committee of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association has shewn by the players selected to practice for the match against New South Wales that its judgment has been almost solely based 011 the present ladder positions. Brinsden is the exception, and he is well worthy of a pls,v by reason of his fi.no doubles play. Surely championship events should carry as much weight as ladder positions —perhaps more weight. The fine performances of N. Sturt in the last Auckland championships, wihon lie reached the fourth round, defeating A. 0. Johns,, 6—2, 6—3, Entwistle, 6—l, 6—l, appear to have been entirely overlooked. Later in the season ho won the Waikato championship singles, defeating V. R. Johns in tho final, 7—5, 7—5. The performances of Knott, of Eden and Epsom, aro almost as good. Certainly these two young players, on performances, should have been included in the players named for practice. It niust not be thought that tho writer underestimates the difficulties of the selection committee or that the selection of young players'is advocated merely because they are young. The ascendency of one player over another is not established by one or even two matches, but Sturt's performances at the close of .last season were outstanding and cannot bo explained away by his position on the ladder which, in any case, is fairly high. Peirforaances Should Count. It is a pity tho selectors have not; recognised the advance of youth. Performances and performances, alone should count, There has 'been little play to . judgo by this season. Sturt and Knott could easily have been tried out, Their play at the end of last season at least merited a,trial. To look to tho ladder only for the selection of teams may be (ho easiest method, but it is very questionable if it is the best. Championship events, in the writer's opinion, should bo . considered oven more. Many players on tho ladder have not had an opportunity of meeting. To blame players for insufficient, activity in challenging is not always correct. Tf the best player in Auckland were put at tho bottom of tho ladder at the start of tho season, ho would not bo vci'y far up at the end. That is well recognised, and it cannot be avoided,, There are other matches which have prior claims on a player's attention, such.,''as. inter-club .and club contests. There is a general recognition of tho fact that new blood must be given a chance, and tho constituted authorities should be seeking ways and means to bring this about without, however, endangering tho result of provincial or other matches. Bartleot Defeats Sims, A match of moi'o tliu.n ot'din&iy interest took place during the week -.between" E. L. Bartileet arid A. W. Sims' lor tho top position on the Auckland ladder, the former player winning 6-~2, 6—4. Bartleet started serving and went into the rallies with vigour and determination. He won the first game to 35 with fine services, mostly to Sims" backhand. Continuing his 'winning streak, he broke through Sims in the next game apd went on to lead at 3—o. Sims speeded up his game in the fourth and, going to tho tiei; behind good forcing shots, he won it to 30. Good volleying gave Bai'tleet a lead of 4—l. Sims scored tho sixth game, bull it was his last tally, as Earliest scored tho nexlb two for tho set, outstea dying his opponent from tho back of tho. court, Sims" groundstrokes improved in the second set, and ho led at 3—2 and again at 4—3. He, fought very hard ;for tho eighth- game, the rallies being long and well-contested. Bar! I*e; had yantjlgo twice, eventually scoring the gamo \?ith a.fine crosscut forehand drive, which beat Sims at the net. Bartlesit, serving in tho ninth game, trailed aii '0— —30 and again at 15—40. He evened with good volleying and, keeping on the attack, finally forced Sims ittto errors. Tho tenth ganim was closely fought, both playerr.lcj'Sii'hp chances,, but Barfclect finally tcok' it for the match. Tho first set was clearly Bartleet's. The Remuera champion played with much more restraint than usual, only speeding up his shots when suitable opportunities offered, and in the longer rallies ffom the base-line it was Sims; who usually ended 'by netting or outing. Bartieot served well and his volleying also left little to bo desired., Simi improved lit the second' set and wan much, nio^e'--re-liable. His service was; not strong and Bartleefi treated it rather disrespectfully in the cloising stages; ot tho tuaich, particularly his iiecend delivei'y. Dominion Championships,. The moat important ©"res*! of the.year, the New Zealand championship meeting, which twill open at .Auckland on Monday, hiW- driwif good : entrieji with tho exception of the junior events. In the, girls' events only two players have entered. In 1925-5 there wore 'five entrants, arid ...in 1924-25 thirteen, so thai the falling off has beto most marked. One would havo thought the junior players of Auckland would have supported th'is important event better than tuia. Hi raisea a doubt whether sufficient publicity is given to tho junior events on the programme. Are the schools' circulated, and is it- generally known that a junior, championship ia run •in connection with the national meeting? The Auckland junior e&awpjaisliips well supported, so iit is difficult to uri*'i«rstand why the entries Jtre so poor for the more important event. Possibly the hobdays have something to do with the tion. In any case, the matter should bo looked into with n vjiew to improving the number of entries in the future The player most favoured for the singles championship is E. D. • Andrews. G. Ollivier, the present holder, will not defend his title. L. France and E. B; IV. Smyth are also absentees. If. L. Rohson has not entered in the singles, but will play in the doubles with E. L. Bartleet. In the ladies' singles Miss Spiers, .should repeat her success of last year, Auckland enthusiasts will look forward to.seeing this brilliant and' attractive player in action. 'Miss Marjjorie Macfarlana and Miss McLaren will he the notable absentees. Mrs. Melody, tho 1024 champion, vrho has been in England and played at Wimbledoc, will bo taking part. In the men's doubles Peacock arid Wilson, the holders, will be hard to bent. Andrews and Seay iihould go well, arid any one of tho Visiting New .South Wales' pairs may male "ah upset. I), France and Missi Sphirs should jgaiti win the combined doubles, and Mrs, Melody and Miss' Spisrs shouhl- account for the ladies' doubles,,' If this forecast is correct, Miss Spiers; Will repeat last year's performance ol! winning all events in which she ontent, It is a difficult task, but the Christehttrch 'player .is quits capable of doing it. .