lawn: tennis.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 62

lawn: tennis.

i BY RACQUET.

J. Best, who has been playing in great form recently, beat P. Seelye on the Kaituna ladder, although the latter was playing below his usual stanadrd, he then played and defeated Stewart, 9—B. His «ame with Stewart was a well-contested one, and each player looked like winning on several occasions. Beat is a stolid player, and has lately developed a rather nie< serve. His driving is not hard, but is well timed and placed. Hi 9 overhead work is his weakness, he not being able to smash. It is unfortunate that he cannot find it possible to play in Grade matches for his club. ' The Invercargill Club journeyed to Gore a few weeks ago and played Gore, but so far the result has not reached me. I should be glad to hear of results of matches of this sort at any time. » It is quite surprising to find hoY enthusiastically lawn tennis is taken, up by the residents of Pembroke. The game is indulged, in by all and sundry, but there are .some very good average players amongst them, especially in the ladie3. Mrs C. Ewing could, if she had some little practice in a town club, hold her own with most Dunedin lady players. Ejthe has a very fine, free style, serves well; drives splendidly, and is keen to run after everything, and usually gets it. The players at Pembroke are always anxious to have visitors from other parts on bheir courts. They delighb in having practice with gcod players. With such willingness to learn and to practice, it is no wonder that some of the players are up to the average. It is more than probable that Wilding will again be playing with Brookes, in the Davis Cup competition next year, in which case there may be some hope of the cup being once more retained. Alexander, who was. recently in Australia, representing America, is of the opinion that America will win the cup next year. It is certainly quite iikely. Thes have some very excellent players in jankeelandi and to win agam«t them a// any time requires the very higihest-grade tennis. The New Zealand Championships are all over without much excitement. The only thing worth chronicling wa3 the defeat of Mis? Nunneley by Miss Lucy Powdi-eIL This certainly was a turning of the tables, but amongst those in the 'know was not unexpected. It has been considered' for some years to have only been a matter of time when the little Taranaki lady woulu" secure the coveted honour. The win certainly would be well received, as Miss Powdrell is very popular, and usually has the public on her side. Her driving might be considered the poetry of motion : she is graceful in all her actiong. In a combined event she has few equals. Wilding found little difficulty in becoming the holder of the cup for the enGuing year. He met with very little opposition right through the event. Parker only got seven games out of 18 in the final. In the M-fn's Doubles. Parker and Doust jn the final beat Wilding and his father in three straight sets, although the third ;->et was vigorously fought out, 5. all being reached' before Parker and his partner went out. The Ladies' Doubles were won by Miss Powdrell and Miss Gray, of Auckland ; and in the Combined Doubles, the result of which has not so far reached me, Miss Powdrell, with Parker, is in the semi-finals. Should ahe win this event, it will be her record for a championship meeting. A very noticeable feature of the recent championship meeting, is the general improvement in ladies' play. One or two of the contestants played really splendid tennis. To particularise, it might be mentioned that Miss Wellwocd and Mis 3E. - Braithwaite are two ladies, either one of which should become c hampions. Boh players are far above the average, and made very good lights in the various events. A number of young men playars are also coming on. Harold Brown (Wellington) i*

a vastly-improved player, and gives the top. notchers some trouble whenever he meet* them. The Canterbury province, contrary to expectations, is very poorly represented at the meeting. It will be an open question who wins the Interprovincial Championship, as the double events are so mixed up with, various provinces. , An interesting feature of this tournament is the fact that the Otago's president (Mr A. E. Harraway) was a competitor. He played in the Singles. He won his first event rather easily, but succumbed just as casilv in the second round to A. F. V» nding," but hs had the honour, which he coveted, oi playing against this wonderful player. Mr Harraway played in the first championship meeting run under the auspices of the New Zealand Association at Napier 21 years ago, and is still, able to give a good account of himself with the racquet. From -all points of view the South Canterbury New Year tournament was a great success. The weather the first day was rather boisterous, but for the rest of the tournament was all that could be desired. T\\e standard of tennis throughout was about on a par with that displayed at our annual tournament. The Otago players worthily upheld the honour of their- province. __ Bauchop was in. excellent form through* out, and he thoroughly deserved to get into the semi-finals of the Championship Singles. He, however, by the time he was called upon to play Pearse, was in too exhausted a condition to do himself justice, and sue-v cumbed two straight sets to the South Canterbury champion. Hearty" congratulations to Warne Pearse " on winning the championship^'for the first time. Pearse is one of the most popular players in the Dominion, and his win was a very popular one. In the final, against Borrows, he played beautiful tennis, especially in the second set, when he completely outclassed the Christchurch- veteran. Borrows scarcely ever got more than 30 in any game.: It was generally thought that Kiver, after his display against Goss, would win the championship, but Borrows proved too much for him in a threa-set match.

Tiie be3t game of the- tournament was that between Goss and Kiver. Goss annexed the first set in his usual aggressive style, but in the next two sets Kiver settled down to the game in earnest, and by brilliant net- play and accurate driving won the match. He has developed a low volley drive which is very effective. Sise was playing at the top of his form, his best display being with Denshire in the Championship Doubles against Pearse and X. R. Sinclair, when the latter pair narrowly escaped defeat in a three-set match. Bray'splay throughout was rather disappointing. He mads some excellent, strokes, but very often tried an impossible shot when a soft heady stroke would have won the rally. The Otago ladies, with the exception of Misa Bauchop and Miss Marks, were rather disappointing. Miss Jackson (last year's runner-up in tho championship) had the misfortune to meetMiss Marks in the first round of the Championship, and fell rather an easy victim to the Kaituna lady representative. Miss Marks is to be congratulated on winning both the Championship and Handicap Singles. In the final, against Miss Goodman, the score stood at 7—67 — 6 in favour of Miss Marks, when Miss Goodman retired. Miss Marks had far too lipht a handicap in., the Singles. This is evidenced by the scores her in that event. None of her opponents- obtained more than three games. Erio Taylor, the popular Canterbury Association secretary, won the Handicap Singles in great style, easily defeating: Borrows in the final. Borrows retired when the score stood at 7—l7 — 1 in favour of his ooponent. The final of the Championship Doubles, between Goss and Kiver and Borrows and Ross, has vet to be played. The former pair should easily win the event. Ollivier (Canterbury) has decided to compete at our next Easter tournament. I understand that Thompson and Hodges (Invercargill) will also be playing. Commenting on the recent withdrawal of the New Zealand Association from tho Australasian Association the Sydney Daily Telegraph says : — " Of course New Zealand has many things yet to do before she can be recognised or gain the right to challenge. Mr T. Hicks (Australasian Association secretary) has not received any official intimation frorn^ the English Association, but an inspired paraspraph in the latest issue of. Lawn Tennis (the organ qf that body)- states that the matter has been referred to the Australasian Association, and its wishe* will govern the votes of the British Isles and America. It is quita likely that the necessary consent from the required two-thirds of ' the different national nssoeiations will not be forthcominsr. In. that event New Zealand may withdraw from Australasia, but the latter can still call on Wilding to aid in the cud's defence, and' his consent may be regarded as certain. Until New Zealand is" granted 'tennis nationhood ' she is nowerless to compete in the Davis Cup. and her represftntwt.fvs may continue to support Australasia if they so desire." Should the Australasian Association adopt such an attitude by voting as suggested the writer would be very muca surprised if Wilding were so unnatriotic to New Zealand as to represent Australia in future Davis Cup competitions.