LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22716, 31 October 1935, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

By Smash,

Played following rain and in a dull light, the matches on Saturday were uot particularly enjoyable, and owing to a late start several could not be completed. Monday, on the other hand, was beautifully fine, and as a consequence club courts throughout the city were crowded; MEN'S A GRADE The University team, which made a promising start against Kaituna, did well to defeat Moana on Saturday by four matches to two. Moana was not at lull strength, and in view of this fact the defeat was not a severe one, there being a difference of only 16 games. Macallan again showed good form, serving and driving stronglv, but Guy's lower percentage of errors "and greater experience gave him an advantage which, enabled him to win in straight sets. Smith, whose form is very promising, had an easy win over Chisholm, losing only one game. Drew and Gray indulged in some hard hitting at times, but the Moana man showed improved control and should benefit by his success. Green, who is well known on the football field, made his first appearance for University and gamed a victory over M'Clurg in straight sets. The first Doubles provided an excellent match. Macallan and Gray, were very severe serving and in the air m the openin"- set, but they dropped the second 4—6. The third set produced a great tussle and at the end of 16 games victory went to the University pair. Drew and M'Clurg combined well in the other Doubles, and though they dropped the second set they took the third with the loss of only one game. Anderson's Bay secured a useful lead over Cosy Dell bv winning all the matches played on Saturday. Falconer had a set point in the first set against E. Pearce, only to lose 6—5. In the second set Falconer kept worrying Pearce at the net, and took it 6—5, but with new balls in the third set Pearce won 6—l on his severity of strokes. Ross won in straight sets, 6—4, against Cameron, wno seemed ineffectual at times. In the first Doubles all four men played excellent games, and either pair might have won Sn the score 6—4, 5—6, 6—4 in favour of the Bay pair. Cosy Dell's second pair, Walton-Dr Focken, have still a chance ot redeeming the match against Kaye and ""North-East Valley proved rather too strong for the Colts team, winning by four matches to one. MacDonald made an excellent showing against Jolly in a hard-hitting match, and though the Valley man dropped the first set he was the more accurate from then on, and finally won 6—4 in the third set. Valentine, playing second, beat Stark, and Facer was too good for Gibson. R. Wilson gained the sole success for the Colts when he beat Hislop 7 —5 in the third set. MacDonald and Wilson made a good showing in the Doubles, and altogether, although the Colts lost the day, they had some excellent practice and gained some valuable experience. The Kaituna-Roslyn match was unfinished, Kaituna leading by three matches to one. Phillipps beat Sincock 6 —5, 6 —5; Callender beat Grimsdale I—6,1 —6, 6 —2, 6-?4; Jensen lost to Chisman 5 —6, 5 —6; and Phillipps and Callender beat Chisman and Grimsdale 6—2, 2—6, 6—3. The first Singles and the first Doubles have still be played, and as there was a difference of only four games at the adjournment on Saturday the final result promises to be close and interesting. LADIES' A GRADE ' The Roslyn ladies showed a general superiority over St. Clair, though all the matches were well contested. Miss Partisan was playing her usual nicely rounded .gajne against Miss Barltrop, but the St. Clair player fought back 'well and took three games.in each set. Miss Gray again gave a good display, and was too severe for Miss Rackley, who was not quite so steady as usual, and made a number of errors. Mrs Foxcroft and Mrs Turton staged a very long game between two wellmatched players. The former Was slightly steadier, and owed her victory to her ability to take the net on occasions and finish off a rally. Miss Broadbent, who has a good forehand drive and shows decided promise, did well to beat Mrs Fowler. This is her first season in A Grade tenuis, and she should benefit by the experience. Both the Doubles matches went to Roslyn after well-contested games. The hill pairs showed better combination and a somewhat better understanding of the doubles game, whereas the St. Clair ladies were steady enough, but lacked decisiveness in making winning shots. By winning each of the four Singles matches, North-East Valley decided the issue against Anderson's Bay, and the Doubles were not played. Miss Beckley, Mrs Dunbar and Miss Paterson all won in straight sets, the closest score being that in which Miss Campbell beat Mrs Maxwell 6 —4, 6—5. The fourth Singles, which was a very long match, resulted in favour of Miss Campbell at 6—5 in the third set. after Miss Gillespie had bad three match Doints. . CHALLENGE MATCHES Some good tennis was seen when Pearce defeated Rawlinson B—6, 2—6, 6—2, and moved up to third place on the Singles ladder. Robertson beat Falconer 6—3, 6 —l and gained seventh position. Ross advanced to ninth place by defeating Swallow 6—2, 6—2, and appears likely to have a good season. ST. CLAIR v. MILTON A team from the St. Clair Club visited Milton on Labour Day and a very enjoyable match resulted. To give all members of the both teams a game before the luncheon adjournment the match commenced with the Mixed Doubles. Although there were some very close games in this section, the visitors proved too strong and won five of the six events, Lockhart and Mrs Elder winning their match from Fowler and Mrs Robertson. Wilson (St. Clair) was right on his game, but his opponent. Woodhead, made him plav for every point in the first Singles match. Some very good tennis was seen in the first Men's Doubles, which Wilson and'Somerville eventually won by tne odd came The remaining two Men s Doubles were won by St. Clair, and the visitors also accounted for five of the six Mens Singles, although some of these latter matches were Avon only after hard struggles. . In the Ladies' Doubles, Misses Coombe

aud Cleary, of Milton, put up a good fight against Miss Gray and Mrs Fowler, but the latter pair ran out the winners by two games. Miss Vidal and Mrs George registered another win for Milton by beating Misses Scott and Skinner, whilst Miss Gray and Mrs Elder went down to Miss Souness and Mis Robertson, of the visiting team. In the Ladies' Singles, St. Clair accounted for four of the sis matches. Misses Cleary and Vidal beating Mrs Fowler and Miss Scott in their respective matches. Although St. Clair had a good margin in sets (19 to 5), the match was much closer than that score indicates, as there was a difference of only 47 games in the 24 matches played. Milton was also handicapped by the absence of its two top plavers. It was very pleasing to note the friendly spirit in which all the games were played. The Milton Club has now three very fine courts situated in picturesque surroundings. The courts were originally concrete, but they have lately been topdressed with a coating of bitumen, and a mixture of sawdust has been well rolled in, which gives the impression that play is somewhat similar to that on a grass court. At the conclusion of the match Mr Ruhen, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the local club for the invitation to Milton, end Mr Woodhead suitably replied. After the usual cheers had been exchanged, Mr Wilson led the visitors in a rousing haka. NOTES Australia has increased the number of its Davis Cup selectors from four to Those appointed for the new season are:—Messrs N. E. Brookes, H. Malcolm, J. Clemenger, C. S. Sproule, and T. E. RobinAustin's victories over both Allison and Budge in the Davis Cup challenge round of Singles completed, a succession of eight wins in singles matches against American players in Davis Cup contests since 1931. Austin's Davis Cup record is even finer than that of Perry. The St. Clair Club is making an early start in getting its club competitions under way. Entries for the Men's and Women's Championship Doubles and also for the Handicap Mixed Doubles close with the secretary on Monday next. The winners of these events hold the Fowler, O'Donnell, and Rhodes Cups respectively for the ensuing 12 months as well as being presented with silver brooches, suitably inscribed.. A visit to Australia by the French professional, Henri Cochet, now seems assured. In reply to the message sent by the New South Wales Lawn Tennis Association, offering Cochet one-third of the gross gate takings at all matches, with no guarantee, Cochet has cabled from Cebu (Philippines) as follows: —"Will cable within 10 days date arrival Sydney. Agree in principle your offer, subject to final arrangements upon arrival." Cochet had originally asked for a guarantee of £SOO sterling, plus one-half the gross gate takings, and hotel and travelling expenses for himself and his wife. LAWN TENNIS UNION Owirfg to the inclemency of the weather, a number of A Grade matches have still to be completed. These matches will require to be played prior to next Saturday. It is noted that Aotea has completed both its two C Grade matches, winning b° tn - i . -i. a Kensington has yet to complete its A Grade match with Macandrew Road, but arrangements are already in hand to play it during the week. : . Ravc-nsbourne had little difficulty in defeating the St. Leonards A team. A number of the sets were very strenuously contested by St. Leonards, and, with a little more combination, this team will improve considerably. Ravensbourne, as usual, has a very strong combination, and will fully extend most of the A Grade teams. „ , ' ■ , , , . In its first C Grade match Aotea defeated St. Leonards comfortably. bt Leonards are a young team that will benefit as the season progresses. In their second match against Macandrew Road, Aotea again proved successful in maintaining winning form. The match was played on Aotea courts, and the club is to be congratulated on the fine condition of all the courts. The C! team wi no doubt offer strong opposition to all in this grade, and its standard of play for such a young team is remarkable. A young player in Herbison has a very fine standard of play, and it will not be surprising to find him in A Grade before the expiry of the season. - The Fire Brigade team, last years winners of the C Grade competition, very creditably initiated itself into the* ii Grade against Dundas Street Methodists on Saturday last. Considering all factors, the tennis was not ot a lngn standard, but some close and enjoyable games were witnessed. Owing to the unsettled weather causing a delay in startin" only 12 sets were played, arrangements having been made to complete matches during the week. Fire Brigade were eight sets to four when play was abandoned. Askin and Johnston still maintain form, and these players would be capable of fully extending any, A Grade pair. Macfarlane was playing right on form, while Misses King and Carr also played serviceable games. Miss Hastie, of the Fire Brigade team, was ablv supported by Miss Reidy. The D Grade match, Concord .v. Trinity, wae always at an interesting stage, and not until the last game had been played, with eight sets each, did Trinity prove victors by two odd games. In this match some really good tennis was seen, and the standard of play was favourably commented upon. Miss h. Mason, of Trinity, and Watson, of Concord, both won all three sets. In the Trinity team, Misses Churchill and Kuston and Kay and Cox are worthy of mention for their serviceable games. Mrs Cayford and Miss Atkins, of Concoid, also played well and were ably supported bv Herbison. . ~ The Aotea Club held a very enjoyable tournament at its courts on Labour Day. The two events-Men's and Ladies Handican Singles—drew entries of 20 and li players respectively. There were many dose and exciting games, and the surprise of the day was the very fine performance registered by Miss N. M'Adam who was successful in the ladies' match. The men's section was won by that promising iunior, I. Herbison, who thoroughly deserved his win. The handicapping was on the same lines as the Easter tournament. The club is to be congratulated on its enterprise, and no doubt members will benefit by the experience gamed in the tournament. Besides fostering a good club spirit, tournaments such as these help to better the standard of play. Trinity is another club showing encouraging enthusiasm. Ladder nmtches are common, and the club spirit is manifest. Wakari Club is also showing renewed vigour. Visiting teams will be pleased to hear that these courts are to be top-dressed in the neai* future. Ihe Stanton boys and lan Morrison are with this club, and the B team will be considerably stronger this year.

Hullo! A string gone—take it to GUY'S, LTD., Tennis Specialists, 38 George street. —Advt.