LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23302, 22 March 1939, Page 19

LAWN TENNIS

CENTENARY TOURNEY SUB-ASSOCIATION PLAYERS IMPROVING DOMAIN COURTS Considerable benefit was derived by the Stanley Street groundsman from his attendance at the recent greenkeepers' conference at Palmerston North, according to a report from the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's ground superintendent, Mr. A, Spooner, at a meeting of delegates to the association last evening. The conference had promised its assistance in research and experimental work with various types of grasses.

During this year's country week-end tournament a meeting of representatives of the sub-association recommended to the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association that for next year's tournament, having regard tp the fact that it~ fell in the Centennial celebrations, the tournament be extended' to a full week's pro gramme, including: a match against a representative city team. The president, Mr. S. Lamb, reported that it was hoped to give effect to this proposal. Mr. P. Harrison reported that entries for the veterans' tournament had increased this year from 17 pairs to 'JW pairs. The event was very popular, and the institution of a plate and a consolation competition was appreciated.

Speaking as a competitor in the tournament, Mr. C. Warren mentioned that several of his fellow competitors would like to see the event extended into a whole-day affair, and a request on these lines would probably be received by the association. For the Centennial celebrations, it was decided to start on January fj, 1940, with the Country Sub-Associations' tournament, followed by a match between representative teams from the sub-associations against an Auckland city team. This would be followed by the Auckland junior championships, commencing on January 11, with the Auckland senior championships commencing on January 15, and concluding on January 20. It was intended to apply for permission to use the title of New Zealand Centennial championships for this tournament. The emergency committee recommended holding a further invitation tournament, following On the New Zealand championships in February, 1940. Leading overseas and New Zealand players would be invited, and the tournament would occupy approximately three days.

The president reported that, as the result of representations from the association, the Auckland City Council had agreed to provide in its estimates for next year the cost of resurfacing five courts in the Domain.

MANUKAU CHAMPIONSHIPS INTERMEDIATE EVENTS The annual championships of the Manukau Tennis Association were continued in fine weather at the Te Papapa courts. Preliminaries in the intermediate boys' and girls' events were decided. The finals will be played at the Carlton courts on Sunday next, commencing at 1 p.m. The results were as follows.— Intermediate Boys' Singles.—First round: T. Henehan beat B. Nickles, 6 —4, G—3; R. Peek beat J. McGlui by default; M. Langton beat M. Boland, 6—o, 6—o; M. Denize heat L. Jacobsen ft —2, 6—5. Second round: O. R. Arkell beat M. Shaw, «—l, G—3; D. Kelly beat C. Jackson, 4—6, ti—2, 7 —5; A. Boultou beat E. Douglas, s—ti,5 —ti, 6—l, (i—4; R. Peek beat T. Henehan, G —3, l —7 —M. Langton beat M. Denize, G—o, ft —2; R. Dunn beat R. Douglas, (I—■2 i fj—•_> ; d. Dudley beat J. Boland, d—o, (;—i ; D. Bigham beat T. Edgerley, <;—s, 3—e. 7—5. Third round: Kelly beat Arkell. 6—3, 3—6, 6—2; Boulton beat Peek, o—2, 6 —l; Langton beat Dunn, 6 —2, 6 —2; Bigham beat Dudley, G—"2, 6—2. Semifinal: \V. Kelly beat Boulton, <3 —I, 6 —3; Bigham beat Langton, 6 —2. 6—l. Girls' Doubles.—First round: Misses J. Pilkington and L. Jackson beat Misses J. Moslev and H Dunmore. 6 —2, 6 —l; Misses L Tish and Carran beat Misses J. White and L. Desenna, ft—s, ft—-1-round: Misses J. Bray and C. \\ nght beat Misses D. Hannan and R. Millar, 6—l, (s—j ; Misses Pilkington and Jackson beat Misses J. and A. Chalcraft, 6—'2, 6 3: Misses Tish and C'arran beat Misses J. and J. McDougall. 3—ft, G—4. «—1; Misses D. Arkell and D. Parks beat Misses B. \\*tts and V. Barnett, ft—s. 4—6. ft—-4. Semifinal: Misses J. Pilkington and L. Jackson beat Misses J. Bray and C. Wright ft—3. I—6 o—•_>; Misses L. Tish and N. Carran heat Misses D. Arkell and D. Parks, o—l,0 —1, o—l.