LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 18

LAWN TENNIS

INTER-CLUB COMPETITION

GOOD SECOND GRADE MATCHES

UNITY DEFEATS PUKEROA

BY SIDELINE

Greater interest seems likely to be taken in all grades of the inter-club tennis competitions this year and although Remuera is outstanding jn the first grade, Campbell Park, Parnell and Royal Oak should have close matches, and the best of these three clubs may surprise Eden and Epsom. University appears to be the weakest club and its players will Have to work hard to justify their inclusion in grade. interesting match will be played at the Stanley Street courts on Saturday between Campbell Park and Royal Oak, this being the first' match of the season in the first grade. Last year Campbell Park overhauled an early lead by Royal Oak and won by a narrow margin. It seems likely that on this occasion there will be littlo difference in the men's division and that the result will depend chiefly on the ladies' matches and combined doubles events

The second grade is already providing matches of a high standard and keen, contests are promised in the concluding stages. Pukeroa, last year's holder of the second grade pennant, was defeated by Unity on Saturday by one set in a match which was in doubt, up to the last, stroke. This result reversed last season's decision, when Pukeroa won by six matches to four and then went on to defeat Remuera in the final.

In the first men's singles C. A. Potter and B. W. Brownlee played excellent tennis. Totter took the first set but Brownlee improved in the closing stages and held a distinct advantage. The second singles also provided a keen contest, Couzens winning at 6—3 in the third set. On occasions Wade looked to be very close to foot-faulting, although others were also on the borderline, but no calls were made by the various umpires. It was a good match in which both players showed cleverness and sound tactics.

Mrs. T. I. Mills played splendid tennis in the ladies' singles to defeat Miss I. McGinley in two love sets. She continued to show good form in the doubles, making some remarkable recoveries to win with Mrs. Wilson against Misses Edwards and McGinley. The second ladies'" singles was remarkable for the fine recovery made by Mr. Wilson against Miss G. Edwards. The Unity player trailed at I—s, but picked up to 5 all when Miss Edwards was unable to continue. It was an unfortunate ending to what was undoubtedly a fine match while it lasted.

Question ol Rules •>. It is stated that there was some difference of opinion as to the procedure to be adopted, but the rules are quite definite that play must be continuous, and there should be no question of the point being referred to or decided by the respective captains. The player who cannot continue loses the match

Mesdames Henry and Smart did well to defeat Misses J. Gemmell and T. O'Donnell after losing the first set to love. The Unity pair won the first set so easily that they apparently allowed themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security and in the second and third sets were forced on to the defence to lose finally at 6—o, 2-6, 3-6. B. W. Brownlee and Wade played good doubles to defeat Potter and Couzens, 6—2, 6—3, but Walshe and A. M. Rowe squared the men's doubles bv a narrow win over J. Jebb and B. H. Barrett. Pukeroa picked up well in the combined events and won both matches, but in the final count was short by one set of Unity's total. Hemuera and Royal Oak met at Stanley Street last Saturday, the former team gaining the verdict by eight matches to two. Royal Oak's win in the singles was secured by Mrs. Grey, whose superior steadiness accounted for Miss Asser's more brilliant but less reliable game, by 6—5, 6 —l. Miss Asser had three set points in the first set on her own service, but never threatened in the second. Misses Wilson and Hemus had a keen match, in which therß was some very good play. Both players drove attractively, Miss Wilson's greater steadiness being the deciding factor in the third set.

Mrs. Grey arid Miss Hemus showed to advantage in defeating Misses Asser and Wilson, 2—6, 6—5, 6—3. They »were very close to defeat at 5 all in the second set, but managed to survive and held a slight advantage throughout the third. Misses Brookes and Kerr-Taylor proved too strong for Mrs. Caughey and Mrs. Strong without being pressed. F. Lucas and D. G. Macfarlane were not pressed by Noakes and Hoffman in spite of the fact that Lucas' overhead shots left much to be desired. E. Ohlson and E. Tunks played steadily to defeat Philson and Warren.

Surprising Result In the combined doubles C. Warren and Mrs. Strong surprised by the resistance they put up against E. Ohlson and Miss Brookes, who on paper appeared much the stronger, but on the court only got home after a 7 —5 third set. C. Warren played very steadily, while Mrs. Strong frequently scored with well-placed drives. Ohlson's forehand was not functioning as well as usual and in his efforts to get pace off slow returns ho sacrificed accuracy. The remaining matches wont to Remuera by a fair margin, & feature of the men's singles being Macfarlane's vigorous serving agaist F. Hoffman, whom he defeated, 6—l, 6—o.

The last meeting of delegates to the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association discussed the question of the large clubs offering free membership to promising juniors and thus inducing them to join. The matter was finally loft to the emergency committee to evolve a constructive scheme. It seems that a recommendation is likely to be made to clubs to agree to do away with all free memberships. Undoubtedly hardship has been caused in the past and it would be a good thing for all clubs if free membership were abolished, as it seems likely to be. The scheme has outlived its usefulness and is now only a cause of friction.