SUCCESSFUL CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22976, 2 March 1938, Page 22

SUCCESSFUL CLUB

CAHO MEMORIAL CUP AUCKLAND PREMIERSHIP WIN FOR EDEN AND EPSOM SUPERIORITY OVER REMUERA Bv defeating Remuera Inst Saturday bv ten matches to two the Eden and Epsom Lawn Tennis Club clearly earned its right to the Caro Memorial Cup and the club premiership of Auckland. From a spectators' point of view the contest lacked interest, as the Eden and Epsom team established its ascendancy early in the afternoon, with the result that | in a number of matches the players had no incentive to spur them on. The nature of the day was also not con- 1 ducive to extra effort unless it was j absolutely necessary. The finest match, and also one of the ; best played at Stanley Street this season, took place between A. D. Brown and N. G. Sturt, the latter extending his formidable opponent to B—6 in ( the third set. Sturt was 2—3 down in < the first set, but then struck splendid ' form. He won several points through errors on Brown's part, but many more were gained by forceful thrusts that gave his opponent little chance and he eventually took the set with a splendid backhand passing shot down his opponent's forehand lino. Brown led at o—2 in the second set and won out at 6—4 after holding off a determined challenge by Sturt, who took the eighth and ninth games. In the deciding set Sturt got a break of three games for a 4 —l lead. They were the fruit of persistent steadiness with the introduction of a fast drive to liis opponent's backhand after the ground was prepared. There was never a procession of points; most of the rallies were speculative and every stroke had to be earned.. Sound defence enabled Brown to square the match at 4-all, but he was again in danger when Sturt went into the lead with his service at 5 —4. Brown's concentration, however, enabled him to square at 5-all and went on to win the set and match. J. T. Mayson nearly lost the second set to J. W. Gunn, but steadied his game in time to win at 6 —4, 6—4. A. Porter was defeated by M. T. Wilson in straight sets, but not before he had put up a stubborn resistance. Wilson had the greater variety of shots and his volleying was also more decisive. The match, however, was closer than the score of 6 —2, 6 —3 indicates. R. W. Smith had no difficulty in beating W. E. Butler, who was quite unable to get his game under control and made many unaccountablo errors. LADIES' MATCHES . DEFEAT OF MISS B. BISHOP REMUERA'S ONLY WINNER Miss J. E. Ramsay won with unexpected ease from Miss B. L. Bishop. The former attacked systematically throughout with forehand and backhand chops of splendid length against which Miss Bishop seemed powerless to generate speed or acquire any length. Miss Bamsav played really well and deserved her success. Miss Marjorio Maffarlane had the distinction of being Bemuera's only winner in the singles. She had a hard-hit-ting baseline encounter with Miss Hansen and won in straight sets. Miss Hansen played well and the rallies were long and strenuously contested, but the result was never really in doubt. N. G. Sturt and J. W. Gunn won in straight sets from A. J). Brown and J. IV Mayson in what was actually the most uninteresting match of the series. The former pair played well and were r.ot threatened at any stage. Butler and Porter went down fighting against Wilson and Smith and Stevens and A. K. Turner outplayed J. E. Stedman and Wylds, whose combination was not impressive. The Hemnera com hi nod pairs, which both bore the marks of hasty formation for the occasion, were not able to cope with Turner and Miss E. Stewart or Stevens and Miss Hall. SECOND GRADE CONTEST HERNE BAY BEATS REMUERA With four wins out of the first five matches played, the Remuera second grade team appeared to be in a sate position in its inter-section play-oft against the Heme Bay Club, but, as it happened, the Remuera players failed to gain another set. Chief interest centred in the meeting of 0. Satchell, Remuera, runner-up in the New Zealand junior championship, with R. Sawver, the tall young Heme Bay first'string. On Auckland championship form the chances favoured the latter, whose effortless ground strokes created a very favourable impression. The" first set was very even and should have gone to Sawyer, but for his missing of easy volleys close to the net. Satchell came from 4 —5 down with powerful serving and driving to win the set. 6—5. The second set was one-sided, Satchell's clever variations of pace and spin enabling him to win with the loss of two games. Ford and Herbert fought out a long three-set match in which Herbert's greater agi.ity just failed to gain him the verdict. Miss T). Marr, Remuera, did very well to play Miss L. Adams on very nearlv even terms, in their first set, which went to the latter, 6 —4. In the second set, however. Miss Adams won practically as she liked until the last game, which Miss Marr made a desperate but unavailing effort to save. Miss Adams, who is a former holder of the hard court singles title, is unlikely to find an opponent worthy of her in second grade tennis, and it is to her credit that she loyally remains with her club instead of joining a senior grade club, where she would be a welcome addition to any team.

Her sister, Miss M. Adams, lost to Miss L. Bishop in three sets, in which the winner's stronger shots and youth were the prevailing factors. Miss Bishop has still to learn to select the right ball to punish but. when she does, she should go far in the game. None of the doubles matches produced a high standard and nil. with the exception ol the second men's doubles, were won by Heme Bay. The second ladies' doubles match, between Misses McL. Wallace and Rent. Refnuera. and Misses Carey and Hassett. Heme Bay, was remarkable for the sudden reversal of fortunes. The former pair, with strong forcing shots, ran quickly into a s_l lead, "but the Herrie Bay pair then took command of the match, won the first set, and gained a s—l5 —1 lead in the second. Their opponents then rallied and won two games, before suffering defeat. Great credit is due to Misses Carey and Bassett for the way in which they" broke up a strong attack b.v judicious lobbing and pressed home their advantage before their opponents had recovered.