LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19889, 7 March 1928, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS.

B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP, SUCCESS OF REMUERA CLUB. NOTES ON PERFORMANCES. BY SIDELINE. The Remuera Club, by decisively da. feating University on Saturday, won the B grade inter-club championship of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association. The standard of tennis in the Thomson-. Bowden match was exceptionally good, and it is pleasing to be able to record the former's return to his best game. Bow* den proved what a great fighter he is by recovering from 2—5 in the second setto win, at 5—5, after the match poiafc favoured Thomson. It seemed likely that he might continue his run and secure the next set and the match, but Thomson, put more sting into his shots, and again gained the ascendancy. Lamb, an ex-, ceptionally promising young player, w« altogether too good lor McDonald on the * day and dropped only two games. He has put up some fine performances this season, and enly requires concentration and match practice to carry him into the first flight. Miss L. Roberton, who wag promoted to fill Mrs. Robson's place, did 1 very well to defeat Miss Hume, who ia exceptionally steady and quite tireless in her court" covering. The University player gained a lead of three love in the deciding set, but could not hold the advantage, Miss Roberton launching an attack which won her the next six game* for the match. ; % Jjllll Andrews and Bowden were alwaya likely to get dangerous against Thomson and Lamb, who played as well as was necessary to wm in straight sets.; Andrews was out of touch, ana. his first services rarely went in. Partridge ana, Rowllings won comfortably against McDonald and Spencer. Misses Hume and Batty gained a meritorious win over Misses Roberton and Kerr-Taylor. Mora decisive volleying earned the win for the University pair. Miss Batty, in particular, showed to advantage. Miss Asser and Mrs. Tonks had a close first set with Misses Mcintosh and Wann, but were not pressed in the second. All four players* went to the net, but the volleying was , inclined to be defensive. Miss Asser played the best, and occasionally scored" with well-placed shots. Win After Three Sets. Andrews and Miss W&nn beat Partridge and Mrs. Tonka decisively. Andrew# was ths best of the four ana improved on his doubles form earlier in the afternoon. Rowllings' shots were more aggressive than Spencer's, and to this fact, and Miss Kerr-Taylor's steadiness at the back of the court, the Remuera pair owed their win after three sets. At the Parnell Club S. Lamb, ths winner of last year's championship, was defeated by Aldred, 7—5, 6—l, 6—2. Lamb did not produce his best form, but Aldred deserved to win. He played very well, showing he is a wonderfully : improved player. Ha will now meet G. C. Chalmers in the final. The latter beat H. Clay, 9—7, 6-1, 15-13. In the ladies' singles Miss Potter beat Miss Craig, 6—l, o—2, and will meet the winner of Miss Fearnlev and Miss Frankham. Williams and Miss Mclndoe won the combined championship, beating Robinson and Miss Potter with unexpected ease in the final, 6—o, 6—2, The handicap events are in the concluding stages. In the semi-final of the handicap singles, V. Clay (owe 2-6 15) beat Craig (owe 5-6 15), 11—9, and will meet Dr. Friedlander (scratch) in the finals In the combined doubles semifinals Craig and Miss Craig (owe 15 2-6) beat Rishworth and Miss Frankham (owe 15 1-6), 11—8. Goulding and Miss Wells (owe '3-6 15) beat H. Clay and Miss Fearnlev (owe 15 4-6), 11—9. In the ladies' handicap singles, Miss Wells will meet Miss Storrie and Miss Frankham will play Miss Potter. Misses Potter, and Fearnley will play Misses Miller _and Frankham in the ladies' handicap doubles, and Misses Sloane and Self will meet Misses Crnig and Gill. Williams has shown a pleasing return to form this season, and has already been successful in three events. . - Stedman Seats Sturt. Four fine singles matches were played in the Remuera club's championship on Saturday. A. L. Stedman beat N. Sturt, 12—10, B—6; H. Brinsden beat E. W. Griffitns, 2—6, 6—o, 6 »4, E. L. Bartleet beat W.. Watkins, 1, 6—4; E. L. Bartlee t beat H. Brinsden, 7—5, 6 —B, 2—6, 6—0,6—1. The best match of the afterneon was the Stedman-Sturfc encounter, which developed into an intense straggle with first, one player and then the other gaining the lead. Stedman's forehand driving was very fine. Sturt was hitting his Sat forehand stroke with less accuracy than usual, although shis concealment of direction was good, and he occasionally completely deceived Stedman. He also carried a greater threat in his net game and it' appeared likely in the second set that this might bring him victory. The first set went 7—6 and Stedman had hi# first chance at. 40-30 on his own service, but double faulted through nervousness, and Sturt saved. Stedman, however, kept up hia forcing tactics and took the aet at 11—10. In the second set Sturt gained a 5—3 lead cy good play. He was hitting his well-disguised drives to the side-line and going to the net, as opportunities; offered, where he volleyed decisively. In the eighth game Sturt had a set point," but Stedman saved. The ninth gams produced wonderful rallies, and eventually went to Stedman, who then won his service to square the match at s—all. Sturt fought pluckily, but was feeling the effect of chasing Stedman's fast drives and the latter finally won at B—6, the last point being a service one. These two players are still in the Remuera Club's junior championship and, unless N. W. Bowden defeats Sturt in the semifinal, will meet in the final. Harrison Wins at Onehunga. All events at the Onehunga Club are well advanced. A feature of this season's competitions has been the fine showing 6f a number of the younger players. Of these. Miss J. Taylor has been outstanding and she gives promise of developing into a fine player. In the final of the men's championship singles, played on Satur- . day, J. Harrison defeated M. Robb, 2—6, 6—*2, 6'" '4, 9-—7. The standard was not as high as it might have been had the players had the courage to go for their shots. Robb led 4—2 iji the deciding set. but Harrison took the next three games for the set and match. Harrison has had & very successful season and has .reached four finals. In the men's championship doubles, Harrison brothers will meet Plummer and R. Taylor. Misses Grove and Litten won the ladies' championship doubles. Hoffman and Johnston, semifinalists in the men's handicap are two young players of promise and should be heard of in the near future, Harrison and Robb will play on the other side of the draw.

FINE SPORTING RECORD. CHRISTCHUROH HIGH SCHOOL The Christchurch Boys* High School has a fine record as far as cricket and Rugby representatives are >oncerned. !« tiie present Canterbury cricket , team ni> fewer than five old boys have gained places. Fage captains the team, and thu other members are Jacobs, Merritt, Nixon and Evans. . Crawford, twelfth man, » also an old boy. _ As regards Itugby the school's record speaks for itself. In the 1905 All Blacks, the school was represented by thrsf old boys in R, S. Beans, E. T. Harper and H. D. Thompson. In the 1924 team, ; W. C. Dalley and J. H. Parker gained distinction, while for the South African w tour Dally, J. T. Burrows, ©. Alhgv'.£ and& •&. Carletoa are included » team. '