LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23671, 1 December 1938, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

By Smash TOURNAMENT DATES The following are the principal tournament dates approved by the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association:— December 24, 26, 27 28.—Southland Association. Invercargill. December 24, 26, 27.—North Otago Association, Oamaru. December 24, 26, 27, 28-Wellington Association. Wellington. December 24, 26, 27, 28— Canterbury Association, Christchurch December 31 to January 7.—New Zealand Championships Christchurch. " January 18, 19, 20.—New Zealand junior championships. Wanganui. January 19, 20.—Waitaki Sub-associa-tion, Waitaki. January 20 to 25.~Wairarapa Association, Masterton (North Island championships). January 20 to 30.—Auckland Association. Auckland EASTER DATES Auckland Association, Auckland. Otago Association. Dunedin. Wellington Association, Wellington. Canterbury Association, Christchurch (South Island Championships) Tuapeka Association Roxburgh. ST. CLAIR BEATS UNIVERSITY St. Clair placed an excellent performance to its credit on Saturday, when, without the services of its first man, Swallow, it defeated University by four matches to two. Most of the University players had just completed their examinations, and perhaps were not playing up to their best form, but the St. Clair men nevertheless gave a very creditable display. Lawrence confirmed the improved form which he continues to show by defeating Smith 6—2, 6—3. He made many good recoveries, and by getting plenty of depth in his own shots forced Smith into errors. Barclay took the opening set from Childs 6—2, but dropped the next two—the third at 6—4. after a good fight. Yeoman gave an outstanding display when he defeated Baird 6—4, 2—6, 6—3. He drove very consistently on both the forehand and backhand, and altogether played one of his best games. McKenzie put St. Clair in a strong position when he defeated Jackman 6—o. 6—5. The Doubles • were evenly divided, each match being won in straight sets. St. Clair has not yet been beaten In the A Grade competition, and at present occupies top place, equal with Otago. RANKING MATCHES Despite delays occasioned by unfavourable weather, several ranking matches have been played as opportunity offered. The results so far reported are as follows: — Men Sincock beat "Rawlinson 2—6, 6—4, 6—3. Barclay beat Facer 9—7, 3—6, 7—5. Lawrence beat Drew 7—5. 6—4. Women Mrs Foxcroft beat Miss Hamer 6—5, 6—l, MisS Manson beat Miss Mcintosh 5—6. 6—2, 6—4. Moana Club Singles The Men's Championship Singles of the Moana Club has been completed in good time, the winner being the Kaikorai football captain, D. Murray, who won the final in straight sets. Murray is a greatly improved player this season and is probably one of the fittest players in the competition. In competitve play he has not lost a Singles match this year, and. partnered by Miss Page, he was also the winner of the McMillan Cup tournament. Physical fitness is an important attribute on the: tennis court, and this fact is fully.appreciated by Murray,. PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT The annual lawn tennis tournament for State primary schools, which is again a championship one, will be held at the Logan Park courts on Saturday. The inaugural tournament was held in 1933, and placed no limit on the number of entries from each school. Since that year entries from each competing school have been limited to two in each of the four sections—viz. Girls Singles, Girls' Doubles. Boys' Singles, and Boys' Doubles. This was found necessary to allow of finality being reached on the second morning of play, as each set is the best of 11 games. This year the number of entries in the four sections is as follows:—Girls Singles 38. Girls: Doubles 35 pairs, Boys Singles 33. Boys' Doubles 30 pairs. It is expected that the standard of play will compare more than favourably with that of previous tournaments. The hours of play on Saturday will be 8.30 to noon, and 16 courts will be in use. All interested in lawn tennis are invited to be present. BROWN DEFEATS ANGAS For the first time in 10 years C. Angas yielded first place on the Canterbury ranking list when be was beaten in a good match on Saturday last by A. D. Brown, the present holder of the New Zealand and Canterbury Singles Championships, who recently took up his residence in Christchucrh. Brown started nervously, and in the first set Angas took a commanding lead by virtue of his steadiness and sound volleying. A late rally by Brown might have warned Angas that his task was going to become harder, and he had to fight for the final games of the set. From this stage onward Brown punched his forehand drives exhilaratingly, and, after taking the. second set, he ran to a lead of 4—l in the third, which he eventually took at 6—4. There are no half-measures about Brown's play. He has a very strong forehand, and with it he presses his opponent on every possible occasion. With his volleying and smashing, too, he is always decisive. Essentially an attacking player, his influence on thegame in Canterbury, which has been dominated for so long by men who rely on their defensive ability, should be all to the good. , - NOTES' ' Miss Dora Miller will' be partnered by Miss R. Wilson at the New Zealand championships, and her clever placing and general accuracy, should give Miss Wilson miany opportunities in the forecourt. Their progress will be watched with interest. " Footwork," says Tilden in one of his books. "is the means by- which a player controls weight and balance It is the secret of power, speed, and control of shot. Good footwork will often save poorly-produced strokes, while bad footwork will seriously handicap, if not actually ruin, the most beautiful racket work." Ellsworth Vines is not a great believer in playing the ball as it rises. " Of all the players I have ever seen,''

he writes in a recently-published book on the game, " only one, Henri Cochet, could consistently and successfully play the rising ball." He discourages anyone but a genius from trying, and does not agree with the popular conception that Perry not only hits u rising ball, but does it "successfully.'' A GREAT WOMAN PLAYEK Following the withdrawal of Mrs Helen Wills Moody from the United States Singles Championship owing to health reasons, American Lawn Tennis paid a high tribute to her wonderful record. "It is scarcely going too far," this journal says, "to conclude that the competitive career of the greatest of all American women players has come to an end. She won the championship of the United States seven times, and was Wimbledon winner eight times. No player has equalled either achievement, and no one is likely to do so. The greatness of the Californian player will always be realised, even if memory of her skill and personality grows dim with the years." LAWN TENNIS UNION A Grade Matches Ravensbourne maintained its unbeaten record by defeating Forbury by 10 sets on 6 on Saturday. Both sides showed a lack of enterprise, due, no doubt, to the windy weather. The match was closely contested, and good games were noticeable in the Mixed Doubles, all of which were won by Ravensbourne. The Forbury men are to be congratulated on winning three of the four Men's Singles. The Kaikorai and Tokotoru match resulted in a draw, 8 sets and 73 games all. The latter team was weakened by the absence of several of its regular players, and those who filled the vacancies acquitted themselves well. Miss Metson played well to win her three games, while another sound player was Miss P. Gapper. Tokotoru should practise doubles play, in which department Kaikorai held the ascendancy. Mr and Mrs Robertson and Miss Sonntag also displayed good form. ■ _, Aotea decisively defeated Fire Brigade by 11 sets to 5, its experience and better knowledge of the game being the deciding factors. The Aotea players who so far are unbeaten, are displaying fine form, and are eagerly awaiting their match with Ravensbourne on Saturday week. The Brigade team would probably do better if its players were played in different positions. Intermediate Grade East Taieri defeated Dundas by 13 sets to 3, and seems to have a wellbalanced side. Chesney. Brown, Miller and Misses Whitson, Miller and Mitchell, are players of promise. The Dundas Club has some good players, notably Mrs Lawry, Miss J. Carr and Asher. This club provides plenty of play for its members, Yankee tournaments being held at every available opportunity to encourage younger players. Every effort is being made to increase the membership of the club. At a recent tournament J. Williamson and Mrs Shannon played well to secure a well-deserved win. B Grade Competition St. Leonards and Tokotoru showed good form for this grade, the former team eventually winning by 10 sets to 6 McDonald, Walters and Miss Middleton, for St. Leonards, and Mrs Metson for Tokotoru, each won their three sets. The latter player has shown fine form this season and may soon deserve the honour of playing in a higher Musselburgh beat Normal by 10 sets to 6 in a .very evenly contested match. Good tennis was witnessed in the first Mixed Doubles between Willocks and Miss Lungley and Keen and Miss Keen. Fergusson and Miss Tomkinson, for Musselburgh, and Foster for Normal, assisted their respective teams with three wins each. At Ravensbourne, the home team defeated East Taieri by 12 sets to 4. It was a fairly comfortable win, although some close and interesting games were played. J. and K. Hardy, Misses Westwood and D. Facer won three sets. Miss Westwood, in particular, is showing a welcome return to form. D Grade Kiwi defeated Musselburgh in a close game by 9 sets .to 7. The Kiwi ladies, materially assisted their side by winning their Singles and Doubles. Misses Hollebon and Marrett, for Kiwi, and Fergusson, for Musselburgh each won three sets. .'.-'.»* The balls to be used in C and D Grade matches can either be first grade or second grade. Makes of the second grade ball have been sent out to club secretaries. Whitcombes for Tennis.*