LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22928, 5 January 1938, Page 17

LAWN TENNIS

HANDICAP TOUBNEY ANNUAL EVENT WINNERS OF THE SINGLES t . BY SIDELINE Under the capable management of Mr. J. Fernandez with Mr. L. J. Williamson as referee, the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's annual handicap tournament was most successful. Fine weather prevailed throughout and the standard of play and handicapping were both excellent.

In the men's singles J. Leng played very well to win through in a big field off tho owe 40 mark. The other backmarker, A. Porter, did not survive a round, being defeated by W. J. Herbert, owe 3-6 of 15 1-6, 6 —3, 6—4. in the final Leng was opposed by S. McL. Wallace and, after a well contested match, won in ..straight sets at B—6,8 —6, 6 —3. Wallace was unfortunate in that he broke his racquet in the early stages of the first set and ha appeared to allow this to worry him unduly. Leng, however, was exceptionally steady and drove very well, particularly on the forehand. The men's B section singles final was also contested by S. McL. Wallace, who had as his opponent I. C. Bayly. The match was fought out mostly from the base line and was won by Wallace

after a three-set contest. Miss B. L. Bishop secured a comfortable win off owe 50 in the ladies' singles, her closest call coming against Miss B. Sherlock, on owe 30, a young plaj'er who shows considerable promise. Miss Bishop beat Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, also on owe 50, in the final, in straight sets, 6—l, 6 —3. Miss Macfarlane put up a stout defence and endeavoured to slow the game down, but on the day could not cope successfully with her opponent's aggressive tactics. A young player who attracted notice was Miss M. Radford, wfio carried Miss Macfarlane to three sots and also showed to advantage when partnering V. It. Johns in the combined doubles. Aitkenhead, Waiuku, and J. l Mackie, Wellsford, won the men's doubles' The winners made the most of a useful handicap and accounted for A. S. Brown and L. H. Watson in the final after a three-set contest. Possibly the match, which reached the highest standard in this section, was played between A. S. Brown and IT. H. Watson and J. Leng and W. H. Entwistle in the semi-finals. All four players showed to advantage and at times championship standard was reached. Misses B. L. Bishop and L. Bishop, conceding big odds to Mis. J. Kerr andvMiss Shell&nijrput in a great retrieving the position from owe 30 —'40 on more than one occasion. The mat<ih lasted two and a-quarter hours arid the score, 7—9, 6—-2, 13 11, is .a tribute to the handicappera, and the fig;hting qualities of the players. The winning pair made the most of their handicap and deserved their success. Tn the combined doubles final J. and Miss Bishop beat Satchell and Miss McL. Wallace in straight sets more bv better tactics rather than by any superiority of stroke .production, Imleed. had Satchell made the net his objective the match would undoubtedly have been much closer. Miss Wallace shows great promise, but should übo the lob an*? also eliminate. ?■, tendency to retreat after having been drawn into the net. Long and Miss Bishop deserve every credit for coming through from the back mark.

PLAY AT ROTORUA • - CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT •WAIKATO PLAYERS PROMINENT The championship tournament at Rotorua drew a well-balanced entry and, with good courts and perfect weather conditions,. some interesting play resulted. The Waikato Association was strongly represented and its players met with conspicuous successes. In the men's singles final, which has not been plaved at the time of writing, Gunit, Auckland, meets Livingstone, Hamilton, Both came through without being seriously threatened. Early rounds were noteworthy for the line play of E. L. Bartleet, New Zealand championship winner in 1928, who defeated L. Roach and A W. Alien in successive matches, but found Livingstone just a too good. Allan's appearance was awaited with interest, but, bevond acenig Bartleet with an exceptionally fast service on several occasions, he was 110 match for the latter, who had complete control throughout. Allan promises better things in the future and, when he can eliminate the very numerous and unnecessary errors from his game, he may do something. . .. Matuschka, Hamilton, is a distinctly promising player and has a. backhand reminiscent of that or V. MeGrath, of Australia. He was narrowlv defeated by Roach, but will be heard of before long in more important fixtures. Norman Smith is playing as well as over and caused, J. Gunn a few anxious moments before tho first set was over. . , The ladies' singles, as was expected, was wop by Miss Margaret Beverley, who, however, does not yet appear to bn' quite tuned up to_ championship standard. Special mention should be made of the Misses who were the centre of attraction whenever they played and who are definitely champions of the near future. The absence of singles sticks caused some comment among players and militated against a volleyer. Bartleet was possiblv affected by tlus onnss.on as c habituallv follows his service to the net Taken as a whole, the tournament was run without friction and was most enjoyable from all points of view.