LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS.

THE END OF THE SEASON. AUCKLAND'S BEST PLAYERS. COMMENTS ON THEIR FORM.

BY SIDE LINE.

The summer tennis season has now concluded, and the writer finds it interesting, at the risk of disapproval, and perhaps popularity, to take a hasty glance at the general trend of the game in Auckland and the improvement or retrogression of the leading players. E. L. Bartleet has had a good season. He produced his best form at the New Zealand championship meeting and was within a few points of victory. Against the French players his play was splendid. By his record he is Auckland's premier player, though he does not at present hold the provincial championship. From his ease of stroke production it would appear he is likely to retain this position for some years, in spite of increasing pressure from younger players.

L. G. Knott has made marked improvement, culminating in the winning of the Auckland provincial title. When right on his game he is the most dangerous cf the younger players who have come to the fore this season. N. Sturt showed marked early season improvement that did not quite last until the end of the year. He is in the first flight and is destined to go still higher. A. C. Stedman showed the most improvement of any of the younger players. He has shown a great increase in confidence and technique find his advance in skill has carried him into the first half dozen in Auckland. H. Brinsden has had an uncertain season showing bad spots due to lack of consistent practice. Yet he has at times risen to great heights, particularly when opposed to Bartleet. Position of Griffiths. Many critics think that E. W. Griffiths has gone back. The writer would say he has stood still. In doubles he remains one of Auckland's cleverest exponents. H. L. Robson has done badly and has not been able to produce anything like the form which in past seasons has kept him in the front rank of Auckland's leading players. Lack of practice has probably been the primary cause of his retrogression. M. M. Morrison has had a great year. He made a wonderful comeback and is one of the season s most successful performers. A. C. Johns has plaved four singles matches, but retains all his skill as a doubles exponent. V. R. Johns has gone back a little. A. M. Nicholson was steady and consistent, and he has had a good season. A. S. Lamb has lost ground, H. Entwistle showed possibly a slight advance, white N. Hubble's performances have been uncertain. K. North has done quite well. He lias the stroke production which should carry him higher. H. C. Rowlands has not quite fulfilled his early season promise. W. G. Watkins has held his own, and possibly made a slight advance. A. K. Turner has had a good season with better results in doubles than in singles. As a singles player his performances are erratic. G. Martin has improved on his 1926-27 performances. J. T- Harrison, Onehunga champion, has had a good season. More competitive play outside his own club would considerably improve his game. M. Robb's steadiness from the base-line has carried him through a successful year, and will continue to win for him*when some of the more brilliant but more erratic performers have passed from the scene. The Leading Lady Players. Miss Macfarlane has had one of her greatest seasons. She just failed in her quest .for the national title, but, in spite of this one failure, she has had a year of superlative tennis. Her performances show 'that she is a long way ahead of any other lady player in Auckland at the present time. Miss B. Knight has had sn uncertain season, with some bad spots. She remains one of the best players in New Zealand and is capable of rising to great heights. Her play has been erratic but brilliant. Miss D. Nicholls has had a good season. She has put in splendid work which at times has beeii marred by poor health. Miss J. Ramsay has not made the progress which seemed likely from her'play during 1926-27. Mrs. Scott-Watson has had a year of stagnation. She has just held her own, but made no advance. Miss Colebrook has had a good season. She has held her own and perhaps gone ahead of her last season's form. Miss M. Richardson is steadily improving. Miss «Potter has shown "a slight advance. Miss Fearnley has held her own and perhaps improved a little. Misses P. and D. Miller have both shown decided improvement, due to increased aggressiveness in their play without any loss of their old-time steadiness. Miss N. Whitelaw has maintained her early promise, and has made an appreciable advance. Miss Mueller is still improving. The Management.

On the whole the tennis year has been a good one. Mr. L. W. Swan has proved an energetic secretary, and visits paid to the outlying clubs by himself and the president, Mr. E. Hickson, have brought such clubs into closer touch with the association. An emergency committee set up during the year has done much good work and saved considerable time for the delegates. Still greater powers could be vested in it with advantage. The appointment of a ball-testing committee was a wise move, and may save considerable time and argument. The running of tournaments and regulations governing the draw will doubtless receive more attention in the future. There was a bad breach during the year. Those who run tournaments should see they are fully conversant with all rules and regulations governing the conduct of same, and under no circumstances should thesp be departed from. The ladder remains one of the problems. It is so far away from the form of players as indicated in tournaments that it is almost ridiculous. Some of the players on it have not played a single match during the season and many have issued no challenges. Very shortly the office-bearers for ne?t season will have to be elected and delegates should carefully consider who are the best men for the various positions. Without reflecting in any way on the present office-holders, there has in tha past been a tendency to read out the previous season's names. a:id not enough consideration given to the need for new 'blood, A Wrong Principle. As far as possible, committees should be representative of the different clubs. Last year the Auckland selectors were all from one club. Again no reflection is cast on those who did the task, but the principle is wrong. In conclusion it must be borne in mind that the game must draw its strength from youth, and from those who can guide and inspire youth. If there be little personal contact on the court and off between those who rule and those who obey, leadership loses its main secret of success. Many guesses are being made, says an Englisii writer, as to the plans of Suzanne Lenglen for 1928, but they are onlv guesses. It is doubtful whether another tour, either in America or in England, would be a success, but there are other countries in which Mdlle. Lenglen would be a big draw. C. G. Bowden, the Remuera Clubs promising young player, has made splendid progress this season and has SO, T -P fine performances to his credit. In the Birkenhead and Northcote Easter tournament he won the junior championship, defeating A. H. McDonald. Eden and Epsom, in the semi-final, and O. BiishitJ, St. Heliers, in the final. Partnered by his brother, he won the Auckland grade championship and also the secondary schools* championship.