LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23340, 4 November 1937, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

By Smash

Ideal weather conditions favoured players on Saturday afternoon, when the inter-club competitions were continued. Bright sunshine prevailed throughout the afternoon, and the temperature was, if anything, rather on the warm side. At Logan Park, where the courts have recently been topdressed, the sun had the effect of making the surface a trifle " holding," with the result that a number of players experienced some difficulty with their footwork. OTAGO V. ROSLYN Chief interest centred in the match between the Otago and Roslyn teams, which played off for the A Grade championship at the close of last season. Otago won by four matches to two, the score being more decisive than was generally anticipated. Bryan, contrary to his usual practice t won the opening set of his ruober against Robertson, losing only three games. In the second set he endeavoured to force f he pace, but suffered a lapse in accuracy, and Robertson, by solid accurate play, took the set at 6—l. The thirl set was dominated in the early stages by Robertson, who established a lead of 5—3, but Bryan, showing great determination, took the next four games for the match. It was a splendid contest throughout, with both men varying their play nicely and getting plenty of pace ' 'to, their shots. Boddy always appeared to have his match with Sincock in hand, and eventually won in straight sets, though the second went to 11 games. Sincock was facing a difficult task, and he did not make matters any easier for himself by attempting to play Boddy from the back line.

Kaye, who is showing improved form, gained a surprise victory over Rawlinson, but it cannot be said that the score of 6—l, 6—3 in favour of the Otago man represents the respective merits of these two players. Pollock placed Otago in a fairly safe position when he defeated Macdonald in straight sets. It was, nevertheless, a well-contested match between two players, whose style in many respects is remarkably similar. The Doubles matches provided two sterling contests, and were the source of considerable perspiration. Robertson and Boddy won the opening set against Bryan and Rawlinson, and reached s—all in the second, only to see the deciding game go against them. In the third set the Otago pair led 5—2, but Bryan and Rawlinson finished strongly to win at 7—5, thus- taking the match after an uphill fight all the way. The other match also went to three sets. Sincock and Macdonald won the opening set by the odd game, but Kaye and Pollock took the next two 6—4. 6—4. OTHER MATCHES Kaituna accounted for Anderson's Bay by the decisive score of five matches to one. Ross was unable to produce his customary mobility against Boyd, who won in straight sets. Laidlaw, Sherriff and Phillipps each won their matches, and the Singles thus placed the issue beyond doubt. A long and interesting Doubles match was seen when the leading pairs of the respective teams met, and Ross and

The game, therefore, will give an indication of the strength of our players, who must be now fully accustomed to big cricket and should not be affected by the importance of the occasion. Australia is looking forward to the New Zealanders' tour as a means of testing a number of young players, and it is therefore to be hoped that our men will be playing at their best. It will be interesting to see how Cowie shapes against the Australians' great batting strength. New Zealand's other games in Australia will be against victoria from November .12 to 16 and New South Wales from November 19 to 23. NOTES While the eight-ball over was introduced into local cricket on Saturday in a manner which indicated that it tends to brighten the game, it cannot be said that it was introduced without a hitch. An umpire in a senior game allowed'no fewer than 12 balls in one over. The batsman who was bowled with the eleventh ball accepted his dismissal merely a~ another novel experience in a long cricket career. Referring to women's cricket, at a meeting of the British Sportsmen's Club, G. O. Allen, captain of the M.C.C. eleven in Australia in 1936-37, said that Duckworth, the wicketkeeper, asked his permission to play against a women's team. "I arrived in time to see him being caught on the boundary by a largish lady." he said. "' How did you get on, George? ' I asked. 'Oh, I batted pretty badly,' Duckworth replied, 'but I got two good dates!'"

There has been something said (an Australian writer reports) about W. H. Ponsford returning to shield and international cricket and playing with Victoria. Ponsford should still be capable of troubling the best bowlers, and his successful reappearance would certainly clarify the position as far as opening batsmen for Australia are concerned, for W. A. Brown last season was not as confident and sound as during his early days with this State. R. i Sheffield, the ex-Essex player, made a successful debut in Wellington cricket, when he ran up 64 not out for Institute against Midland. Features of his innings (the Sports Post says) were the well-placed push-shots, on the off-side of the wicket, a very powerful drive, and his rapidity between the wickets. He gave the impression of solidity rather than aggression, though if anything at all loose comes along he despatches it with any amount of force. He gave one difficult chance early in hh innings, but after that letoff he made the bowling look easy. He snapped up a beauty at first slip when TnstHute were in the field. Of all the many new young players who will be striving to gain a place in the team to tour England next year no one. at the moment, has more outstanding claims for inclusion as a batsman than Lindsay Hassett. the Victorian colt. Here is a young olayer (writes O. Wendell Bill) who last season made a profound impression in every State in which he played. Not only was he outstandingly consistent and reliable, but his batting contained the great essence of.polish and attractiveness—quite a marked difference to that of his fellow-Victorians. He outshone them, not only in the repertoire of his shuts, but in the freedom of their execution. Deservedly, too, he headed the battinn averages of his Stale in Sheffield Shield cricket. His feat in scoring 44!) runs at 74 runs an innings was second only to that of Don Bradman in Australia. On the nine occasions Hassett baited, only twice did he fail to reach the half-century. Several times he was within easy reach of a three-figure score, and certain to achieve this cherished objective of all batsmen, but somehow this honour just seemed to evade him Advice received in New Zealand recently that W. E. Merritt is to qualify for county cricket is confirmed by the following announcement in the Cricketer: —W. E. Merritt. the New Zealand all-rounder, ha.-- accepted the invitation of the Northamptonshire Committee to qualify for the county, and will be eligible m 1939. Merritt is a good spin bowler and forcing batsman, and during the New Zealand tour here in 1927 he took 169 wickets and scored nearly 700 runs. Since 1932 he has been a prominent allrounder in Lancashire League cricket, and in 1935. while with East Lancashire. h n finished second to G. Headley, the West Indian, in the League batting averages, and took 115 wickets, average 13.03. In joining I Northamptonshire. Merritt will renew his association wi'h another New Zealander, K. C. Jam"', who achieved a remarkable feat off Mom'tt's bowling in a match at Colombo du r ins th* homeward journey fr:rn the 1927 tour. stumping three batsmen off successive balls.

Duthie once again proved themselves an outstanding Doubles combination when they defeated the young Kaituna pair, Boyd and Laidlaw, 6—4 in the third set. Sherriff and Phillipps lost the opening set to Young and Oliver, but took the next two with the loss of only three games. Young showed good form in both his matches, and had a verv protracted struggle with Sherriff in the Singles, the Kaituna man winning the third set after 16 games had been played. University gained a narrow and hard-won victory over Cosy Dell by eight sets to seven, matches being even. Falconer made many good recoveries in his match with Smith, but the University man, by fast and accurate driving, held the initiative throughout. The other three Singles all went the full distance. Childs gave a good display against Clarke after losing the first set C—i. The Doubles were divided, each team winning one rubber. North-East Valley was altogether too strong for the Roslyn second team, and St. Ciair defeated Nga Maara by four matches to two. Delahunty made a good showing against Swallow, and Landers volleyed effectively to defeat Kingston in straight sets. Lander was also associated with Connors in a victory in the Doubles. WOMEN'S A GRADE Playing Otago, the Roslyn ladies were much more successful than the men, for even against a team that looked fairly strong on paper they did not lose a match. Mrs Robinson was fully extended by Miss Fraser in a game in which both showed good form, and the Roslyn lady only got home by the odd game in each set. Miss Fitchett showed promising form against Miss D. Rackley, but could not hold the advantage after winning the opening set. Kaituna beat University by five matches to one. Miss Ross was the successful University player and she gave a very accurate display to defeat Miss Clayton after the latter had taken the opening set. In the Doubles Misses Miller and Ross showed a good understanding of combined piay and the Kaituna pair, Misses Jolly and Kerr, were forced to three sets. Cosy Dell had the narrowest of wins over North-East Valley, the score being seven sets to six, but St. Kilda won very decisively from Opoho, losing only one set in the six matches played. MCMILLAN CUP TOURNEY A reminder is given that entries for the association's Yankee tournament for the McMillan Cup will close with Mr E. S. Wilson on Tuesday. The tournament will be held on November 6 at Logan Park. The entrance fee is small, and tennis balls will be provided free. It is expected that a large entry of players of all grades will be received. NOTES In a recent ladder match at Otago Kaye defeated Pollock 6—2, 4—6, 6—2, and has now taken third place in the club's A team. In the New South Wales team to play Victoria this month Crawford \3 placed third to McGrath and Bromwich. This is the first occasion for many years on which Crawford has not been graded No. 1. So popular was the Waimate Club's jubilee tournament over Labour weekend that the club will probably make it an annual event. The president of the club (Mr R. B. Lane) said that entries were assured from most of the visitors, who had expressed satisfaction with the organisation and facilities.

Great Britain is the first nation to enter the Davis Cup field for 1938. As it was only two months since Britain had lost the cup. its early challenge is commendable. Britain might have rested on its laurels for a year or two. Its teams for the next few years are likely to be very weak, for none of the stalwarts of its four-year reign may be available. Perry is now a professional. Austin has stated that he cannot afford the time to play in the matches all over Europe, Lee has retired because of business claims, and Tuckey and Hare said recently thai they were entering business houses and would not be able to spare the time for extended tours. Hughes dropped out this year because of a nervous breakdown. He may be available next year, but he is past his best. Wilde will be available, but he has never been impressive in Singles. It may be many years before Great Britain again finds a powerful team.

LAWN TENNIS UNION

The A Grade match between Forbury and Aotea No. 2 resulted in a win for Aotea by nine matches to seven. There was, however, very ilittle difference between both teams. Aotea owes its victory to the men. who all won their Singles. A feature of the match was the surprise defeat of S. Gourlay by R. Callender. the score being 6—3. Gourley has been No. 1 Union player for several years, being beaten on very rare occasions. He was a little below form on Saturday, but on the day Callender, who played great tennis, would have taken a lot of beating. The Forbury ladies played very well, winning the Doubles and three of the Singles. Mrs Gourley won her three sets. Forbury was unfortunate in losing the services of its second man, J. Davie. The match should prove to some of the Forbury men the necessity for being fit for a hard game The pace proved too solid for two of them in particular, even though they were both good players. Some bright play was seen during the Kensington v. Trinity C Grade match. The Trinity men were the stronger in the Singles, but Graham, for Kensington, won his match after a clever display. He is another of Kensington's juvenile ex-pupils who has a good grasp of the correct style In the Ladies' Singles, honours were easy, while both Ladies' Doubles were won by Kensington. The first Men's Doubles was a hard-fought game, going to 9—7, the home team eventually winning, while the second Doubles went to Kensington. After the defeat of the Kensington first and second Mixed Doubles pairs, the match was in a very interesting stage, with the scores being four all in both the third and fourth sets. Kensington's weakest points, however, were the Mixed Doubles, and this cost them the match, Trinity winning by 10 sets to six. with a difference of only five games. The C Grade match between Musselburgh and Aotea, played at Aotea, looked as if i 1 would provide a close finish as both teams were even after several sets. Musselburgh, however proved too good, the final score being 12—4. Some of the sets were very evenly contested, and with few exceptions a high standard was reached throughout. The first Men's Doubles was in doubt right up to the final stroke. Smith and Henry had a very even set in their Singles, and Smith, with match point against him, did well eventually to run out the winner. All the Musselburgh ladies were successful in their Singles. For the winners. Smith and Misses Tonkinson and Lun won all three sets. The Musselburgh D Grade team wat successful in its match with Concord The sides were very evenly matched, and the issue was in doubt up to the last set, which gave Musselburgh the match by nine sets to seven. For Musselburgh, Kean, Gilchrist, and Lamom won all their games. Dundas had a very meritorious victory over Anderson's Bay. This was due in no small measure to the fine exhibition given by the ladies, who won both Doubles and only lost one Singles game. Probably the best game in the Men's matches was the second Men's Singles, in which Tyrrell, after a courageous battle, was beaten 9—B All the men are now playing better, and although they won only one Doubles and one Singles, they were just beaten in most cases. Dundas showed marked superiority in the Mixed Doubles, losing only one and ■ running out winners of the match by ■ 10 sets to 6 sets '9O games to 70 games) I In the ladies' section, Misses Hughes j and Johnson won three games, and in the men Asher was also successful.

On Saturday a club tournament will be held, followed by a banquet. In a closely-fought match between St. Leonards and Ravensbourne several good sets were witnessed. Smith and Marr (St Leonards! played very well in their Singles, although the latter was unfortunate not to win. The St. Leonards ladies again proved their value to their team winning all the six sets. Lack of combination in the Doubles, however, is a noticeable fault in the St Leonards team, and more consistent team practice is required On the other hand, Ravensbourne is strong in doubles, especially the Men's Doubles. H. Facer and Allan Jackson played a spectacular game and combined well in their match against Asher and Coutts and did not have much trouble in winning 9 —2. Miss J. Blackwood (St Leonards) played good steady tennis throughout the afternoon, and was the only St. Leonards member to win three sets. Although 14—2 looks a big difference on paper, the sets in the match between St. Leonards and North-East Vallev Baptists were mostly well contested. St. Leonards were unable, how over, to keen up the good start they made, as in several sets they wore leading 5—2. and then dropped the set practically without winning another game.