LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2857, 16 December 1908, Page 64

LAWN TENNIS.

BY RACQUET.

Sawyers' Bay had hard luck against the Hanover Club. They owed 25 games, and only lost by 3 gaxn&s, and this small margin would easily have been accounted for iia<l Bttsh, the first man m the Bay team, been playing. Th© Hanover ladies (especially Miss Hercus and Miss Mills) were in good form, and easily accounted for thsir singles and doubles. The men, on the other hand, made a poor showing against their opponents. Bow these clubs are greatly handicapped by not having anyone to coach them.- However, the grade matches will do muoh to bring their players on. It was quite expected that St. Kilda "C" would have come out on top against Balmacewen in spite of then- impost of 15 games. It cannot be said that they played up to the previous match form. Roslyn "C" did well against Andersons* Bay. This is as it should have been, considering the greater experience of its players- I notice Warsaw playing in the Bay team. It is quite evident the way he won hi-) singles that he should havo been in the "B" team last Saturday. This player has had a good deal of play, and at times has shown splendid form. Complaints have reached me lately from members of clubs who do not play in the matches. Their grievance is that on match day 3 the matches are- not finished until 7 p.m., which does not allow them any time to get a game. Now, certainly there 19 reason for complaint here. The matches are down to commenoe at 2.15 p.m. — 2.30 at latest. If the games are put on in quick succession-, without loss of time, 1 no match should last longer than 5.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. If the visiting team is not ready to start at 2.30 p.m. the home club has its remedy by claiming the match. If some club would do this it would act as a deterrent to other late-comers. I'm sure the association do not wish these matches to interfere with the individual members of clubs more than ie absolutely necessary. The postponed "A" Grade match Kaituna v. Port was played last Saturday, and proved very interesting. Kaituna were owing a. big handicap, but still managed to place a victory to their credit by 10 games. Only for a mishap to • one of the Port members, the decision would probably have b:en reversed. Leonard was suddenly overtaken by illness after having finished his double, consequently Kaituna place to their credit the full number of games possible in. the events he -was unable to take part in — viz., 15. Bauchop (Port) was in splendid forra£ and' although Braithwaite at one stage led B—3, he kept plugging on, eventually winning 9—B.9 — 8. Braithwaite used an error of judgment in changing his tactics when he> was leading. Had he continued as •he was doing he would most assuredly have won the set. * Taylor also showed good form against Seelye,- and is to be congratulated' on his win against a plawr of Seelye's experience. Bauehop and Taylor continued their form in the doubles, adding the set to their credit 9—6.9 — 6. Both players were placing the ball in ungettable places, and volleying well. Seelye was wild in drives and smashes, finding the net rather frequently, while Braithwaite, who is essentially an individualist, never looked dangerous during the set. Bauchop has been improving right throughout the season, and can always be expected to give a good account of himself. With the exception of the above three sets Port did not do well, Kaituna winning the combined doubles and ladies' events comfortably. Port Chalmers badly miss the services of Parker, who has left the district. He could always be nelied upon to place a good number of games to bis club's credit in a match. The Reed street club are indeed meeting with more than average misfortune lately. Some four weeks ago their pavilion took fire, and was partially saved. -On Saturday last it was again found 1 in flames, and this time was completely gutted. It would certainly seem as if some spiteful person was at the bottom of it, and it would be very gratifying to .hear of such a. person's apprehension. He would certainly be dealt with in a manner befitting the crime. This club has laid down three splendid asphalt courts adjacent to the new railway station, which will be rsady for play early in the new year. The keenest club in Dunedin at ihe present time would appear to be the NorthEast Valley. Already this season they have viaited Balclutha and Waikouaiti. On Saturday, at their invitation, the Balclutha Club played a return match on the Valley courts. Although a boisterous wind was prevalent during the afternoon, the courts were more or less sheltered by a thick hedge. Tho match was played in the most friendly and enjoyable spirit, everyone taking part jn the games as they would at a picnic. The Valley proved too strong in the end by 24 games; yet some of the Balclutha men showed a fine style, andi with a few more foreign matches should attain a good standard. The ladies w«ro somewhat weaker in their play, and were scarcely good enough for -the Valley ladies. The Australasian lawn tennis championship matches were begun at tho Sydney Cricket Ground. The Singles Championship was opened by H. A. Parker and S. Jones, both local players. Parker was too good for his opponent. Interest in the Double^ centred between Wilding (N.Z.) and Dr Sharp (N.S.W.), and Campbell (X.S.W.) and Fisher (N.Z.). Fisher was excellent in volleying afc the beginning of play, and the first game went to his side. Wilding and Sharp then secured five consecutive games. Wilding's judgment enabled him to do less work than either of the other players, and he rather surprised them by the excellent use he wa9 able to make cf his racquet at all angles. Campbell's volleying' won the seventh game, and the eighth al=o went to him and his partner. The final game of the set went to Wilding and Sharp. The next set wfe stubbornly contested right through. It was characterised by brilliant racquet and foot work on the part of Sharp, and clever backhand returns by Wilding. Fi?her was erratic, but he smashed with considerable power. Play was once three all, but the s*t was secured by Wilding and Sharp. The next set went to Fisher and Campbell, and the concluding set to their opponents. Scores:

Double* Championship

j A. F. Wilding (X.Z.) and Dr Sharp [ (N.8.W.) beat F. M. B. FUber (N.Z.) and

A. Oampbell (N.S.W.), 6—3, E— 4, 4—6. 6—l.6 — 1. Singles Championship. H. A. Parker beat S. Jones, 6—l, 6—l, 5— 3. Dr Pockley beat W. A. Gregg, 2—6, 3—6, 6—4, 6—4, 11—9. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. WELLINGTON, December 10. Alexander (the American player) and H. Parker have entered for the Championship Doubles at the New Zealand ancL Nelson tennis meetings. Alexander will play in the Championship Singles at both meetings, and will play with Quill in the Nelson Handicap Doubles. Doust (a New South Wales champion) has also entered for both meetings. A. F. Wilding is expected to leave Sydney for Wellington at the end of this week. v Australasian" championships. SYDNEY, December 8. The weather was very hot to-day, when the Australasian tennis championship tournament was continued. The play was uninteresting. • > .'" The match Fisher v. Doust was postponed owing to the slight indisposition of the former. Fisher practised in the Practice Doubles with Wildang during the afternoon, and this occasioned some surprise after the postponement of his game with Doust. December 9. Doust beat Fisher decisively by 6—3,6 — 3, 6—o,6 — 0, 6—3.6 — 3. Alexander beat Marsh, and Dunlop (Victoria) beat Doust. In the Doubles, Wilding and Sharp beat Parker and GTeig, 6—4,6 — 4, 6—3, 10—8. December 11. Alexander beat Parker, 6—3,6 — 3, B—S,8 — S, I—6, 6—o. In the Mixed Doubles Dunlop and Miss Stewart (Victoria) beat Fisher (New Zealand) and Mrs Doyle (New "South Wales), 6—2, 6—3. December 13. The Australasian Championship La Wn Tennis Tournament was continued yesterday. In the Champion Doubles Alexander andi Dunlop beat Wilding and Sharp, 6—3, 6—2,6 — 2, 6—l.6 — 1. Alexander and Dunlop kepb their opponents in difficulties all through. Sharp was outclassed, and Wilding played below form. This was mainly due to lack of support, by his partner. In the Singles Championship, Alexander beat Dunlop, 3—6,3 — 6, 3—6,3 — 6, 6—o, 6—2,.6 — 2,. 6 — 1, after a fine game. Alexander's volleying, service, and stamina carried him through. The Tennis Association has presented Alexander with a silver mounted clock.