LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14457, 25 February 1909, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

By R.\cqvjkt. Sinclair (Olago) and l'earse (Temuka) will bo partnered in the Championship Doubles at. Easter. This combinalion should provo a very formidable one. Tho St. Kilda Club events are making good progress, all the matches having reached the semi-final stage or further. In the Ladies' Championship Singles Miss T. White (last year's winner), who defeated Miss 8. White after a good game, will meet Miss M'Callum in the final. The final of the Men's Handicap Doubles was decided yesterday, when Simpson and Marshall (receive 5) defeated Hart and Laurenson (owe 5). 60—43. In the early stages of the game the latter pair had the best of the play, and on one or two occasions they looked like catching their opponents. As the game progressed, however, the winners drew away, iind the issue was itlmost beyond doubt somo time before tho finish. As usual, Simpson played a very snfe game, and at times lie got in some irresistible shots. Hart and Laurenson did not. play quite so well together us might have been expected, considering their steadiness and accuracy individually.

The Roslyn Ciub's tournament events are gradually reaohing the final stages. In the Ladies' Handicap Singles Miss Baron, owe 15 3-6 th, was l>eatcn by Miss C. Boot, owe 15—6 games to 5. Miss Boot wus leading at one time, 5—2, but her opponent, by careful, accurate placing, drew level, but failed in the final game. Miss Boot met and defeated Miss Duncan, roc. one-sixth 15, 6—4. The latter lady is a player who has much improved this season, and would probably have beaten hor more experienced opponent but for tho weakness of her tack-hand. Miss Boot will now meet Mrs Black in the final. Both play oil' tho same mirk, and a very close finish is anticipated.

In the final of the club's Championship Singles C. J. Braitluvaite mot K. Calder, and defeated him, 6—o, 3—6, 6—2.

Roslyn is .sending a team to Balclutha on Cup Day. The Roslyn Club are holding a moonlight concert on Thursday, March 4, on their courts, and all tennis players and supporters of the game should rally round if possible on that evening.

It will bo noticed by the cables that it has been decided to hold the next Davis Oup competition in Sydney. It is very probable that had the New Zealand Association not resigned from the Australasian Association there would have been a very fair prospect of the competition being held in the Dominion, as New Zealand had a good moral claim to it, seeing Wilding, ono of last year's defenders, was largely responsible for the Cup's retention on this side of tho equator.

It is reported that the, N.%. Association are desirous of withdrawing c.heir application to the English Association to becoino si separate nation, but now that lb Australian, body has promptly fixed the vcmio for the next competition in Sydney, New Zealand should stick to their former decision, even though it was slightly premature and injudicious in the fiwt instance. (If course this would naturally deprive Australia, of Wilding's services, but it would Rive more satisfaction to all concerned in the future.

England has decided to contest the Davis f!up this year, and is trying hard to have IJic preliminary round played on their own territory. It is not known jet whether America, will bo competing, but it is more than likely that they will be tryers.

A ladies' team from New Zealand will visit Sydney in April at the invitation of the Now South Wales Association to compete in,the Interstate matches, also in the State championship events. As there are no ladies in the South Island quito up to the standard the whole team will likely come from Wellington, except probably Miss Well wood and Mis-s Braithwaite.

It luts lx>en decided by the school committees to start the schools' tournament on, Saturday, March 13, cud to play six events —viz., Boys' Championship and Handicap Singles, Boys' Handicap Doubles, Girls'. Championship and Handicap Singles, and Girls' Handicap Doubles. The matches are to he continued on every succeeding Saturday morning, and the finals will be fought out at the Otago I'iister tournament. Largo entries are anticipated. Two postponed' matches were played off on Saturday--viz., A Grade, Baimaoeron v. Port Chalmers, and B Grade, Otago v. N.E. Valley. In both oases the finishes were close. In the former match Balmacewen, who were conceding a. handicap of 15, only lost two sets, a Ladies' Single and a Ladies' Double. The wind seemed to trouble tho Port players considerably, and prevented them doing their best. At the same lime Balmacewen held them safe throughout. It was expected that Port would win all the ladies' events and probably two combined, in which case the result would have been almost a draw, but they failed.

One more sensational finish happened on Saturday in the Otago-Valley match, which must go to the credit of the association haiftlieappers, the result being ono game in favour of tin; former club. The wind was also troublesome in this match. Nevertheless there were very exciting games, marked here and there by good expositions of tennis. M'Gccvor, who has been indisposed lately, was quite in good form, especially in the combined event, where ho quite revelled at tho net, smashing everything with precision. Gray succeeded in defeating Sise by the odd game. Both players were keen on winning, and were evenly matched, The Valley were particularly effective in the combined games, winning three out of four. It was not expected that Miss Murray would be beaten in her Singlo against Mrs Bedding. The Otago lady deserves every credit for her win. The Valley players en the whole must be complimented on the excellent stand made against such formidable rivals.

The following tables show the positions of the clubs in the various grades: — A GRADE. Matches Banner pUyed. "Won. Lest, points. Ol.vo ;s 3 — t Kaituna .. .'1 3 - t Balmaccwen .. 1 2 2 4 Hauraro .. H — 3 Port ii ■- S B GRADE. Matches Banner played. Woi>. Lo.=t. p o ; n t 8 St. Kilda 4 4 -a Otap> ... .( 4 _ g Roslyn ..43 1 6 Kaituna .. . . 1 2 2 4 Anderson's Bay ..4 1 3 j Mosgiel .4 1 3 0 N.E. Valley ... 4 1 3 n Hauraro .... 4 _ 4 _^ C GRADE. Matches . Banner „ „ „ „ l>'»yecl. Won. Lost, points. >i.E. \allev 3 3 _ g R° ! V 3 3 — 6 Hanover .. 4 2 2 4 Balmacewcn ... 4 2 2 4 Sawvera Bay ,4 1 0 n St. Kilda ...81 5 I Anderson's Bay 3 . 3 _