LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 17

LAWN TENNIS.

CARO MEMORIAL CUP FINAL.

SEVERAL EXCITING MATCHES. BARTLEET'S FINE SERVING. BY SIDELINE. Interesting tennis of a high standard was seen in almost al! the matches played in the Eden and Epsom-Remuera contest for the Caro Memorial Cup on Saturday. The outstanding feature of the BartleetMorrison match was the former's wonder/ful serving, which throughout two sets was practically unplayable. Morrison played well and once engaged in the rallies held his own. Bartleet started serving in the first set and the games went with the service to allow the Remuera champion to win 6—5. In the second set a single break through Morrison's delivery enabled him to win the set at 6—4. Rarely has Bartleet served so well, but his forehand play did not seem quite as safe or as severe as usual.

V. R. Johns reevaled great stubbornness against Sturt and was rewarded with the second set. In the third set Sturt showed his best form and won with something to spare. J. C. Charters beat Rowlands- with comparative ease. The latter has lost form and is not playing as well as ho did last season." V. N. Hubble was here, there and everywhere against 11. Brinsden, who had forsaken cricket to holp his old club out of a difficulty. Hubble hit hard and aggressively, especially on the backhand, scoring points and games» most unexpectedly. Brinsden staged a good recovery in the second set and almost succeeded in winning it. An Even Contest. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane was not able to cope with the game played by Mis. Dykes in the first set, but she held on determinedly, and after a bitter strugglo to 5-all in the second set, at which stago. Mrs. Dykes had chances of winning the match, she won 6—5. The deciding set was stubbornly contested. Miss Macfarlane had a chance for a 2-love lead, but netted two volleys, and Mrs. Dykes evened. From then onward there was never more than one game between the two players. Mrs.' Dykes led 7—6 and 40—30 and tried an easy service, which almost caught Miss Macfarlane too finback. Mrs. Dykes came to the net for the return, but the Renmcra champion swept a for.ehand drive down the line, and then squared at 7-all. Mrs. Dykes kept the odd game ahead until at 11—10 she won her service and the match.

Mrs. Napier excelled herself against Miss Knight. The Remucra player, who was driving with great accuracy and severity, was within a point of winning the first set, won the second and was within a measurable distance of the third, but Miss Knight steadied up, and caine through to win 6 —4. It was a splendid match and revealed what a greatly-im-proved player Mrs. Napier lias become during this season. Miss Marion Macfarlane put up her best performance in the .singles by defeating Miss Ramsay in straight sets. The Reniuera player took the offensive from the start, and, following up to the net after well-placed and severe drives, did' not allow her opponent time to establish her usual steady game. Miss Newton proved too strong for Miss D. .Wilson and won in straight sets. Bartleet and Sturt Together.

In the men's doubles, Bartleet and Sturt, although lacking tho practice together of Morrison and Johns, had superior strokes to carry them through. Bartleet's service was a constant source of troublo to his opponents and Sturt was, as always, sound in. all departments. Morrison and Johns made many wonderful recoveries, but for tho most part they wero on the defensive. Turner and Hubble, who have met. with little success this year as a combination, went down before Brinsden and Charters, a hastily-formed combination. The Eden and Epsom pair might have done better had they gone for their shots more and fought for the net, but they chose instead to lob The Remuera combination dealt out destruction from all parts of the court to these overhead shots. V. R. Johns and Rowlands were notthreatened at any stage by Ohlsou and Watkins, who won two games in each set. McKeown and Potter played their usual reliable game and won against Lucas and Milne, although not without a certain amount of trouble. Macfarlane and Robinson did not appear a. happy combination against Campbell and Turner. The Eden and Epsom pair were only temporarily in danger in the closing stages of the second set, when the Remuera players staged a good recovery from o—s to 5-all. One of the best-played doubles, although nominated as the sixth, was that between Wilson and Wilson and Partridge and Macarthur. All four players were conspicuous for clever shots and the volleying and general tactics were ahead of anything seen in the three higher doubles contests. After a keen struggle Wilson and Wilson scored a well-deserved win at 4-6, 6—3, 7—5. Mrs; Dykes Outstanding.

Mrs. Dykes was outstanding in the first ladies' doubles and gave a splendid display of aggressive tennis from all parts of the court. Miss Miller appeared nervous and did not do herself justice, but with Mrs. Dykes playing so well there was little doubt, as to tho outcome of the match. Misses Knight and "YVhitelaw and Ramsay and Newton secured easy wins in their matches for Eden and Epsom, bub Remuera scored in the fourth, fifth and . sixth doubles. Two young players who caught the eye in these events with well-played shots were Miss Cooke, Eden and Epsom, and Miss Betty Griffiths, Remuera. Miss Griffiths, in particular, gave, fine displays in both her matches and ber strong play in the combined event, when she was partnered by Partridge, contributed largely to tho defeat of Potter and Miss Lowrie. _ The Waikato Lawn Tennis Association will hold its Easter tournament on April 3, 4 and 6.