LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1880, 2 December 1887, Page 22

LAWN TENNIS.

OTAGO LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION.

■The annual inter-clnb tournament arranged by the above association took place on the Carisbrook ground on Wednesday. The day was all that could be desired for tennis, and thero was a very fair attendance, while the keenest interest was manifested in the different events. The tennis all round was very creditable, while several of the players showed exceptionally good form. All the events were decided except the ladies' doubles, the final of which has yet to be played The set between the Misses Orbell (Oarisbrook) and Mrs Twopeny and Miss Morris (Otago) in this event was productive of some excent rallies, the Oarisbrook representatives eventually winning after a hard struggle by only one game. The players were heartily applauded by a large number of onlookers who gathered around to witness the match.

With the exception of Miss Kate Grant (of the Otago Club) who suffered from a sprained ankle, all the competitors in the ladies' singles were representatives of Oarisbrock. The final contest was between Miss E. Bathgate and Miss Orbell, and was watched with the greatest interest. The set was productive of some very line play, and both competitors were frequently cheered by the spectators. At the sixth, game the score was called "3 all." Miss Bathgate won the next game after " vantage all," bub in the following game Miss Orbe.ll by good placing again succeeded in making the scores even. Miss Bathgate then took tho lead, but the tenth game saw the scores even once more. Miss Bathgate again increased her lead, this time by 2 games, but Miss Orbeli playing very pluckily won the next game. The fourteenth game started with a splendid rally, which ended in Miss Orbell puzzling her opponent after taking iv brilliant return ; the fine play on both sides being loudly cheered. Miss Bathgate, however, pulled the game out of the fire, and also succeeded in winning the next one and set after taking one or two very difficult returns from her opponent.

In the gentlemen's singles, Lynch, who comes from the Clutha, and is, comparatively speaking, a new player, distinguished himself in two or three sets. His set against G. Gillies (9—B) was a splendid one, and there was some Oue play on both sides. Afterwards he met the veteran player Dr Batchelor, and at the beginning of the set looked very like winning, (5—3 being called ii) bis favour. After this, however, he seemed to tire, and tho doctor, getting matters pretty well his own way, ultimately succeeded in gaining

the victory. Borrows managed to dispose of Richaidson rather easily ; and then, after playing in the winning set of the gentlemen's doubles, he met Dr Batchelor. A close set was anticipated. At the commencement Borrows went off with the lead, but at the end of the fourth game the scorer called " 2 all." The doctor then took the lead, and of the remaining nine games Borrows only succeeded in winning two, the set ending 9—4, in Dr Batchelor's favour. The final in the gentlemen's doubles was productive of some very fine play. In the earlier stages, Salmond and Black, two young University players, distinguished themselves, especially in winning their set against Batchelor and Dowling after a very tough battle. They were afterwards dißplaced by Todd and Borrows (Ofcago), and the latter then met the (Sillies brothers (University). The Contest between these four players was watched with the keenest interest, and it proved the most exciting struggle of the tournament. The University representatives won the first game, and then playing badly they lost five games in succession. At this stage the set seemed a gift to the Otago men. The Gillieses, however, won the seventh game, and also the eighth after a long concluding rally of " high ones," judiciously kept put of reach of the men at the net. In the ninth game the brothers were again victorious, but Borrows and Todd won the next game— 6—4. R. Gilles then got some fine serves over; and his brother also playing up well, the lead of the opposing side was reduced to two games. The twelfth game was productive of some more good rallying* the ball being kept " up" by the back players for a considerable time, till Todd got a swift one over and won. The brothers next got a love game, aud then amid preat excitement made the score 7 all'; R. Gillies being repeatedly cheered for the brilliant manner in which he took the difficult returns of his opponents. The Otago men won the next game without much trouble ; but the brothers again played up, and in spito of some really brilliant returns from both Todd and Borrows, C. Gillies getting a well-placed swift one over managed to win the game, and 8 all was called amid renewed cheering. There was considerable excitement among the spectators as the last game was entered upon, C. Gillies had the serve, and 15—40 was soon called. Todd then put one out — 30— 40, and the excitement became intense. The next serve, however, was the last, for C. Gillies sent a rather difficult return out of the court, thus giving Borrows and Todd game and set. The final for the combined doubles was between Mr and Mrs Twopeny (Otago) and Mr Dowling and Miss Orbell (Carisbrook). This set was also productive of some capital play, notwithstanding the fact that both ladies were rather tired in consequence of their exertions

in the preceding sets. At the start the play was pretty even, but the Otago representatives then went away with a strong lead, and would have won rather easily had not Mr Twopeny fallen on to tho net after striking a ball. The Carisbrook representatives then played up, and there was a good deal of excitement towards the end of the set. The Oarisbrook players could not, however, manage to get on terms with the Ofcago Club's representatives, and Mr Twopeny succeeded in making the winning hit shortly before 8 o'clock. Altogether the tournament was a most successful one. The recently-formed Otago Club succeeded in winning both the gentlemen's and

the combined doubles, while Carisbrook Club won both the singles. As only the latter club is now represented in the ladies' doubles, they will of course score a third win in that contest.