LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20384, 16 April 1928, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

EASTER TOURNAMENT,

MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP.

Though it had been arranged that the postponed games in the Otago Lawn Tennis Association’s Easter tournament would be played at Anderson’s Bay on Saturday afternoon, the weather permitted only a partial completion of the remaining portion of the programme. The Mixed Doubles Championship was won by S G. M'Dougall and Miss M. Pattison, but the final and one of the semi-final games of the Mixed Doubles Handicap were again postponed, this tine until Saturday next at 2 p.m. • Three games were played on Saturday afternoon, each being closely contested and occupying a considerable amount of time. Only one of the Anderson’s Bay courts was in good playing order, and the one Mixed Doubles Handicap game which was played on an adjoining court was marred by the water that lay in patches. All afternoon a fine drizzle made conditions unpleasant for players and spectators alike, and the light failed so early that play was discontinued at 5 p.m. The attendance of the public consisted of the friends of the players. The best game of the afternoon was that in •which S. G. M'Dougall and Miss M. Pattison beat Fulton and Miss Nichols in the final of the Mixed Doubles Championship. It was an exceedingly close and interesting struggle, worthy of a more suitable occasion, and although the conditions prevailing affected the standard of play to a certain extent, good tennis was displayed on each side. The outstanding player was Miss Nichols (Oamaru), who distinguished herself by playing an .excellent game. The majority of her shots were well placed, and her defensive work, particularly on the back line, was brilliant. Neither M'Dougall nor Miss Pattison were -up to top form, the latter playing many easy shots into the net. M'Dougall’s length was uncertain, but his cross-court work seldom failed. Fulton played a sound and untiring game, putting up a great fight in the final set. The first went to M'Dougall, 6 —4, but the losers won the second decisively, securing six of the nine games. Many games in the last set ran to deuce, and the final score was B—68 —6 in favour of M'Dougall and Miss Pattison, whose steadiness in the final stages carried the day. In the smi-final game Fulton and Miss Nichols beat Guy and Mrs Guy. 9—3, after a contest that was much more even than the scores would indicate. Fulton’s untiring agility -was a feature of the play, and his overhead work and smashing were excellent. Both Miss Nichols and Mrs Guy played particularly well. The opening stages of the game disclosed no superiority on either side, and after six games the scores were three all. From then on Fulton and his partner took every game. Play in the semi-final of the Mixed Handicap Doubles was inclined to bo slow and uninteresting because of the state of the court and the poor light. K. Webling and Miss Pattison (owe 15 5-6) beat R 'F Phillips and Miss White (owe 15 4-6) by 9—7. During the opening games the driving was good, but the play slowed down and lobbing tactics were resorted to. Phillips and Miss Pattison played well throughout. The results were as follow: MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

Semi-final. Fulton and Miss Nichols beat Guy and Mrs Guy, 9 —3. Final. M'Dougall and Miss Pattison beat Fulton and Miss Nichols, 6 —4, 3 —6, B—6.8 —6. MIXED DOUBLES HANDICAP. Webling and Miss Pattison beat Phillips and Miss White, 9—7. Those who will play in the final games next Saturday are: — MIXED DOUBLES HANDICAP. Semi-final: G. T. Black and Mrs M'Dougall (owe 30) v. K. Webling and Miss M. Pattison (owe 15 5-6). Final: B. Wingfield and Miss A. Strutbers (owe 3-6).

WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIPS. (Pee United Press Associ-.tion.) WELLINGTON, April 15. In the Wellington lawn tennis tourney Mrs R. P. Adams beat Miss M. Whyte in the Ladies’ Singles Championship, 6—3, I—6, 6—l. In the Men’s Singles D. Dobie beat Ross, I—6.1 —6. B—6,8 —6, 0 3. T. S. and C. F. Williams won the Men s Doubles, and Mrs M'Master and Mrs Adams the Ladies’ Doubles.