COUNTRY TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21133, 16 March 1932, Page 21

COUNTRY TENNIS.

MATCH WITH THAMES VALLEY HAURAKI PLAINS TOURNAMENT. A lawn tennis match between the Auckland and Thames Valley Associations was played at Paeroa on Saturday, teams consisting of six men and six ladies. Singles, doubles and combined doubles wero played. Tho tennis throughout was of a good standard, resulting in many close games. The contest should prove of great benefit to the Thames Valley Association. Tho Auckland team was, if anything, too strong, but Gray's victory over Bartlcefc proved the former has not completely lost his touch of brilliance. Gray attacked tho net on all possible occasions and actually led s—l in the second set. Bartleet equalised at 5-all, but could not win Gray's service and tho match ended 6—3, 6—5.

Murphy played a solid back-line game against Harrison, a feature of the match being his retrieving of well-placed drives by tho Aucklander. It was a good performance by tho Thames Valley player when it is remembered that Harrison is ranked as fifth player in Auckland. Griffiths was too experienced for his opponent, Alley, who is a distinctly promising player of whom more should bo heard. Porter and Darland played a di awn-out match, victory going to the Auckland player in the third set. Thames was unfortunate in not having the services of E. Wright, who is capable of producing some fine tennis. One of the leading lady players was also absent. Miss Macfarlane hit out well in her singles and was too strong for Miss Shand, who put up a good fight. This match pleased the spectators particularly. Mrs. Napier was slow in starting, losing the first four games to Mrs. Glover, but she then came on to form and ran out an easy winner. Miss Alley did well to defeat Miss Taylor in straight sets. A good victory for Thames Valley in tho ladies' doubles was witnessed when Miss Shand and Mrs. Glover beat Miss Macfarlane and Mrs. Napier. Tho homo players were much steadier and attacked the net more consistently together. The Auckland players preferred to stay one up and one back. This fault was also apparent in the play of tho Misses Roberton and Taylor who won rather ordinarily. Tho Auekland team was entertained to hrnch and dinner and afterwards to a dance, and appreciated very much tho hospitality shown. It is a pity that Thames Valley is not directly affiliated with tho Auckland Association. Its joining up would give an unbroken association field with Hauraki Plains, Thames Valley and Bay of Plenty, and would afford tho Auckland Association more scope for doing good work among these associations. Hauraki Plains has always proved a keen supporter of the Auckland Association and a match has been arranged with an Auckland team at Auckland on April 2, probably at Windmill Road, and a return match, if it can be arranged, at Hauraki Tlains on Aprd 9. Hauraki Plains comprises a group of seven clubs, chiefly hard courts. Its annual interclub competition has just concluded, Waitakaruru proving to have tho best men, while Patetonga shone in the ladies. Tho annual tournament has just been concluded on Saturday at Ngatea and proved very successful. Quito a promising young player of 16 years, Miss Hunter, won the ladies' singles after a hard-fought match, remarkable for steadiness rather than the brilliancy of closeness which appeals so much. The Turua Club has made excellent progress during the past season and has now wiped off the debt owing on its court and it expects shortly to extend the club's playing area to cope with increased membership.