OFFICIAL OPENING.

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 2899, 6 October 1909, Page 62

OFFICIAL OPENING.

The official opening of the tennis season took place on the Kaituna courts on Saturday, the games taking' the form of a Yankee tournament between teams from the different clubs. There was a large number of entries and fhe association will have to consider the advisability of using more courts in future if it wishes to always make this tournament a success. Mr R. S. Black, the president, in a short speech, declared the season open. He said he was pleased, that the tournament was

being held on the premier club's courts. It was only by consistent practice that' players could hope to improve, and he hoped that all young players would remember this. The jjumber of player^ he continued, had increased considerably, and the association kept in view the desirability of procuring ground for courts of Us own. He also* mentioned that a movement was on foot by, which it was just possible that some of the city reserves would be utilised for lawn tennis. • He wished players and visitors a pleasant "afternoon. The following teams took part in the tournament : — Men's Doubles. — Otago No. I—Messrs1 — Messrs White and Ewen ; Otago No. 2— Messrs Harraway and Jones; Kaituna No. I — MessrsTomlinson and Bra^; Kaituna No. 2 — Messrs Armour and Wilkie; Roslyn — Messrs Ca-lder and Calder; St. Kilda— -Messrs Robertson and Hart; Balmacewen No. I—Messrs1 — Messrs R. S and S. N. Brown; Balmacewen No. 3—3 — Messrs M'Kerrow and Stewart; Anderson's B*y— Messrs Meek and Gibson; N.E. Valley | — Messrs Gray and M'Geever; University — I Messrs Moody and Gower; Port Chalmers — Messrs Bauchop and Borrie. Mixed Doubles. — Otago Nb. I—Mr1 — Mr Bundle and Miss Hislop.; Kaituna No. I—Mr1 — Mr Braithwaite and Miss Lester; Xaitun* No. 2— Mr Nicolson *nd Miss Marks; Eoslyn. — Mr M'Dougall and Mrs Black; St. Hilda— Mr Simpson and Miss White; Balmacewen — Mr Dalgleish and Miss Wilson; N.^E. Valley — Mr Lemon and Miss Murray; University — Mr Rutherford and Miss Moore; Port Chal-' mem — Mr Taylor and Miss Stevenson. Although so early in the season som«good play was witnessed. • C. T. White made his reappearance and, judging by' form shown, "should greatly strengthen Otago tennis this season. ■ The Otago pair White and Ewen, won the Men's Doubles, beating Brown brothers in the final by 6—4: White played with all his old versatilaty and smashed well. Ewen, a younjr player, has a nice forehand drive with which he scored frequently. S. N. Brown played a fair game, and can always be relied on, but his brother was decidedly off. They have not now the fine combination for which they were noted, but 31 they intend playing together in club matches this season, a thing they have not done for some years, they should be as dangerous as ever at the end of the season. Kaituna was unfortunately without the services of Mis? Campbell, but nevertheless C. ,J. Braithwaito and Miss Lester front that club won the combined doubles, beating in the final the Otago pair, H. Bundle and Miss W. Hislop, by 6-4. Both ladies I played well, their driving^ being well worth seeing. Braithwa'te scored frequently with • his drives across the court, but he is essentially a singles player. Bundle at times m. goo 7. work> but was "rtkor erratic. The afternoon passed off very pleasantly, thanks to the energy of Mr W. H. Irvine (the secretary) and the president. The Kaituna ladies kindly looked after the afternoon tea. Everything points to on© of the most successful seasons on record.