LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS

SUCCESSFUL SEASON CLOSES AUCKLAND'S BEST PLAYERS PROMISING YOUNG TALENT BY SIDK-LINK Lawn tennis, iu spite of difficult financial conditions, has undoubtedly progressed in Auckland during the past season. Tournaments have been well patronised, and well-managed exhibition matches have drawn good attendances. Never before, due largely to the work of Mr. R. B. Hardy, president, and Mr. L. W. Swan, secretary, has the internal work of tho Auckland Association run so smoothly. Relations between tho various clubs have also been most harmonious. The future of the game in Auckland is full of promise as regards patronage and popularity. From the many young players who are being coached some should develop to take the places of the present leaders of the game. The interclub system, particularly iu the A grade, requires alteration on tho lines suggested at the last meeting of the Auckland Association—smaller teams and more continuity in the play—and doubtless this matter will be attended to in time for next season. Ladder Positions Tho Auckland Association's ladder for the past season is now closed, with players in the following positions:— Men's Singles.—l, E. L. Bartleet; 2, N. G. Sturt; 3 M. M. Morrison; 4. H. C. Rowlands; 5, S. Lamb; 6, A. K. Turner; 7, V. R. Johns; 8, J. Harrison; 9, E. W. Griffiths; 10, G. Martin; 11, M. T. Wilson; 12, W. G. Watkins; 13, C. Partridge; 14, P. E. Potter; 15, S. J. Robinson; 16, A. McKeown. Ladies' Singles.—l, Miss Marjorie Ma.cfarlane; 2, Miss .1. Ramsay; 3, Miss D. Newton; 4, Mrs. Napier; 5, Miss L. Roberton; 6, Miss Ruth Taylor; 7, Miss Marion Macfarlane; 8, Airs. Wren; 9, Miss B. Griffiths; 10, Airs. jS'icholls. Men's Doubles.—l, Rowlands and Morrison; 2, Turner and Hubble; 3, Johns and Johns; 4, Wilson and Wilson; 5, Harrison and Harrison; 6, Potter and McKeown; 7, Lamb and Griffiths; 8, Touks and Wilson; 9, Partridge and Macarthur; 10, Bockett and Johnston; 11, Rostgard and Porter; 12. Turner and Stevens. Ladies' Doubles.—l, Mrs. Shroff and Miss Knight; 2, Misses Marjorie and Marion Macfarlane; 3, Misses Ramsay and Eccles; 4. Mrs. Herrick and Miss D. Newton; 5, Mrs. Napier and Miss B. Griffiths; 6, Mrs. Wren and Mrs. Russell; 7, Misses Taylor and Roberton; 8, Misses Bull and Douglas. Boys' Singles.—l, J. Stevens; 2, J. D. Vickerman; 3, D. Ciimming; 4, D. McL. Wallace; 5, F. C. Walrond; 6, W. D. Thompson; 7, R. Whitton; S, W. Spedding; 9, G Allen; 10, L. H. Watson; 11, J. Matthews; 12, J. D. Bull. Auckland's leading men players, A. C. Stedman. E. L. Bartleet, N. G. Sturt and 51. At. Morrison, have all had good seasons, particularly the firstnamed, who is somewhat ahead of other Auckland players, a margin which is likely to be increased by his visit to England. Between Bartleet and Sturt honours are even, whilo Morrison, who suffered narrow defeats by both those players, proved his superiority over H. C Rowlands in a recently-played ladder match, which the Remuera player Avon, 6 —4, 6 —4. Rowlands has done well and played steady tennis throughout the season. He won the Eden and Epsom championship, but was fully extended by A. K. Turner in the final. He can outsteady most players, but docs not do so well when opposed by a hard-driving game of Stedman's type. Lamb's Good Season Lamb has had a good season, winning all senior championship events at Parnell, and has maintained his comparatively high ladder position. A. K. Turner has improved in singles, and may succeed against Lamb early next season. His service, which is badly timed, is still a weakness. V. R. Johns is not spectacular, but reliable, and will always provide a stern trial for younger players. •J. Harrison is likely to gain a higher position, although his ground strokes are not as strong as they might be. His volleying is good, however, and it is wonderful what an energetic advance to the net can cover. E. W. Griffiths has undoubtedly lost ground in singles, and he may find Martin dillicult. The last-named is a steads' base-line player, who has the shots to go in on, but prefers to subdue his opponent from tho back court. W. G. Watkins can always bo reiicd upon for a sound game. An injury to his wrist j kept him out of the game for the lat- I ter half of tho season. T. M. Wilson, a 1 hard-hitting member of the younger i school, has not quite fulfilled expecta- j tions. C. Partridge is one of the stylists of j Auckland tennis. Ho has had a fair j season, but at timej almost gives the • impression that he would rather lose a shot in perfect form than win it by j what Tilden would term scrambling. S. | J. Robinson should go higher. He is a i spectacular left-hander, with great ; confidence in his ability to drive. P. I E. Potter is a player of the steady ! type. He has done well, partnered by ; A. McKeown, but has not had such a 1 good season as last in singles. Leading Lady Players M iss Marjorie Macfarlane has had | an excellent season, although sho ; failed in her quest for the national j title. Her performances show that sho ; is a long way ahead of any other lady i player in Auckland at tho present j time. Miss li. Knight has had a rather uncertain season, with some bad and some particularly brilliant spots in her play. Miss Ramsay's typo of game will always Keep her in tho running for titles, while at the same time it prevents her from quite reaching the top and competing with success against such players as Misses Maefarlano and Knight. Miss Newton has had a good season. Mrs. Napier has not maintained the high standard she set herself in 1931-32. Miss Roberton app< 3ars to bo on the up grade, while Miss Ruth Taylor has had a very good season and must be regarded as tho most promising of Auckland's younger school of players. Her defeat of Miss Ramsay and her second set against Miss Marjorie Macfarlane in the Remuera Club's championship singles were particularly meritorious performances. Miss Marion Macfarlane has done well, particularly in doubles, and has had spasms of high standard in singles flay. Miss B. Griffiths., has won some good matches, and lost some very bad cnes. More determination in her play a.t critical stages would advance the standard of her game considerably, j Mrs. Wren has won tho Parnell championship for the second time and flhould go higher.