NOTES ON THE PLAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 11

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

BARTLEET'S GREAT SPEED.

STURT'S FINE DISPLAY.

THE LADIES' DOUBLES WINNERS.

[BIT TBLEGBAPH.—I'KESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. In the men's singles semi-final against Bartleet, Laurenson began badly, nnssing the lines "by feet. He lost the first lour games, won the fifth and lost the sixth on his own service. 'Bartleet was driving with great speed and accuracy. Laurenson's famous backhand was not in the picture. Bartleet secured the set, 6—2. Laurenson had simply been defending. A strong north-west wind spoiled the tennis to some extent, carrying many balls out. Bartleet still made fewer errors and led 3 —2 in the second set, then 4—2 and 5—2. He was far superior. Laurenson took the eighth game and the ninth by reducing his percentage of errors. Bartleet now led «'i —4. Laurenson won his service, making the score 5 all, but it was poor tennis. Bartleet. took the set at B—-6. The third set saw Laurenson retire when the .games were 4—l against him. He had shown poor form and seldom attacked. In the other semi-final, Ollivier found Sturt a harder proposition than Don France was on Thursday. After taking the first two games he was closely pressed to a lead of 5—4. Sturt's fast spinning service won the Aucklander several clean aces, and at other times his concealed forehand drive left Ollivier waiting on the wrong side of the court. It was a change for Ollivier to be out-generallcd. However, the Canterbury man won the set, 6—4. The second set produced more spectacular tennis. Ollivier wont off with a lead of 2—o. Sturt won the third game by fast serving and driving, and almost got the fourth, with Ollivier down 50—40, but he tried for too much pace arid was soon three games behind. Ollivier served in the sixth game, doublefaulting twice, and lost it, making the score, Ollivier, 4—2. Sturt made a great effort and won his service,, but could not keep it up, and Ollivier gained the set at 6—*s.

After many bright rallies in the third set Ollivier was seldom able to take things easily, although he won eventually, 6 —2." Sturt relied on speed and again scored many clean points. The only difference between this and the previous sets was that he drove more out when going for winners. Ho put up a remarkable fight, the best to date against Ollivier at. this tournament. Mrs. Adams and Miss Tracy are the new holders of the ladies' doubles championship Miss Spiers and Miss Partridge retired in the second set owing to Miss Speirs' exhausted state as the result of hard singles in the morning. The Canterbury pair made a poor showing, and had little combination and no snap. Mrs Adams was in fine form. In the semi-final of tho men's doubles Bartleet and Laurenson got the decision against Peacock and Wilson after five sets that were enlivened by bright volleying rallies, although Bartleet was the only player of the four to show consistent form right through. He missed very few, and served magnificently. In fact, his good play carried Laurerxsou through at critical times. Peacock was effective near the net, but Wilson grew erratic toward the end. He smashed out repeatedly, and the last set went to the Auckland pair, 6—2. They deserved the victory. Down one set to two against Knott and Sturt. of Auckland, Lampe and Malfroy showed splendid form in the third set and led 5—2. Malfroy's smashing from close in was a feature. Sometimes ho sent thp ball hurtling over the stands. Knott and Sturt were inclined to be erratic They worried over foozled shots and that made mat tcrs worse. Lampe and Malfroy dropped arother game, but held the set at 6—3.

The last set was tho fiercest yet. smashes and hard drives predominating. Sturt lost the first game on his service, then Malfroy served and won to love The third game went to the Auckland pair. It was now a test to see if Lamp* could win his service and secure the useful lead of s—l. He led 40—15 and 40—30, and secured the game by a smasb to the base-line. Sturt served splendidly, and Lampe's lead was reduced to 3—2 Malfroy lost his service and the games were even. Knott collected two beautiful service aces and this helped to put tho Aucklanders ahead for the first time in this set, 4—3. The eighth game went against Lampe and Malfroy. Sturt next had the serve, and made full use of i't. winning from —ls and taking the sot and match.

HASTINGS TOURNAMENT. REMARKABLE PERFORMANCES [by telegraph.—press association.] NAPIER, Thursday. The achievement of T. R. Williams, at the Hastings tennis tournament, concluded to-day, was remarkable. He won the men's championship singles and, with C. Scott, of Wellington, the championship doubles and handicap doubles. Williams also won the combined championship doubles and combined handicap doubles with Miss Nancy Howell, of Napier. For want of time he defaulted in the handicap singles. Miss Howell, besides two doubles victories with Williams, won the ladies' championship doubles and handicap doubles with Miss Ormond, of Napier, The ladies' singles final was won by Miss Ormond.