DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 4

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

WATSON’S TRIPLE SUCCESS JULL ALSO WINS THRICE Two of the entrants in the Poverty Bay and East Coast Lawn Tennis Association’s annual tournament effected triple wins, P. Watson, of Gisborne, winning tho singles championship, the doubles championship with AI. .Mitchell, of Auckland, and the combined doubles championship with Aliss W. Barns-Graham. while .T. .lull, of Wellington, won the handicap singles, the handicap doubles with E. Toogood, and the combined handicap doubles with Aliss Af. Blair, of Gisborne. The final matches in the combined doubles divisions, both championship and handicap, were played late yesterday afternoon, the attendance of the public being a good indication of the interest aroused by the tournament. The players showed wellsustained form, and the play in both finals was full of thrills.

In the champion doubles final, N. 11. Bull and Aliss Bull opposed "Watson and Aliss Barns-Graham, the latter pair winning the first set C—4, after a solid tussle in which the lady players boro their full share. Bull and Miss Bull made a good rally in the second set, and evened matters by winning the sot (i—3. The third set decided the match, for Watson won the first game on his own service, and was within a point of taking the next on Bull’s, Bull making a fine recovery, however, and taking the game. The lady partners each won her service, but thereafter all four lost their services in turn, the score being 4 all at this stage. Then Watson and Bull secured a. game in turn, and Aliss Bull lost her service. Aliss Barns-Graham served strongly, and Watson put in some solid work overhead to win the final ami deciding game, the match going to them ti—4, ,3—(3, 7 —5. TRIBUTE TO A VETERAN Though there were times when the issue appeared to be in doubt, it was evident that Watson’s confidence and initiative were the dominating features of the match. It was only by the greatest exertions that Bull kept the balance practically even, and those who watched with a knowledgeable eye realised that it would require only a slight relaxation on his part to give Watson a great chance. As it was, the winners had to fight all the way to win, and the closeness of the scoring was a real tribute to the determination of the veteran and his steady partner.

The combined handicap doubles final was in the nature of a gift for Jull and Aliss Blair, who played out the section with Stevenson and Aliss Wilson. The winners made a small concession to their -opponents on the handicaps, but pulled up level in the early stages, and then forged away to a lead of 39—18. From that stage on, Stevenson and Aliss Wilson were fighting a losing battle, and despite their most determined efforts, they went down 50—33. The close of the tournament was marked by the presentation of the trophies won in the respective sections, Air. AI. J. White, president of the association, complimenting the successful players, and expressing the hope that they would all be on hand to defend their positions next year. The president mentioned the outstanding services to the sport of Air. N. 11. Bull and other members of his family, tho efficient work of the umpires, and the admirable services of Air. E. Woodrow, secretary and tournament referee. He closed with an acknowledgement, on behalf of the association, of the cooperation of tho club committees in placing their courts at the disposal of the executive.