TENNIS

Southland Times, Issue 21581, 19 December 1931, Page 16

TENNIS

(By “Chop.”) C grade matches to-day. The draw is: Moana v. Kennington at Moana; Makarewa v. St. Mary’s at St. Mary’s; Waikiwi v. Waihopai at Waihopai. Waihopai and Invercargill still still unbeaten in the A grade competition. Winton nearly lowered Invercargill's colours. In B grade Kennington and Invercargill look as if they will fight out the finish, though there is still a long way to go. Next Saturday competitors in the Christmas tournament will be hard at it. The entries are very satisfactory. Waihopai continue to carry all before them in the A grade competition, Southend proving incapable of stemming the tide. Miss Whyte and Miss Bamford had a close game, the former winning 7—6 by reason of greater steadiness. Miss Holdsworth fully extended Miss Wesney, but the other Southend ladies were well beaten. In the doubles Misses Bamford and Holdsworth scored a good win over Misses Whyte and Wesney, Miss Bamford’s vigorous work at the net playing no small part in the victory. McKenzie, a greatly improved player, was the only Southend man to win his single. He defeated Manson 9 —7. Stephens and McCallum had a good game, but the former's greater variety of strokes stood him in good stead. Steele had no difficulty in defeating Fortune—which says a lot, for Fortune is no mean player, Deaker was unable to run at all freely and this handicap, coupled with Mason’s ability to return the fastest drives, gave the Waihopai man 9 —7 victory. Miss Ronald and Miss Lockwood play very attractively at the net. In connection with the Waihopai Club it is worthy of mention that the finalists in the singles championships are both Waihopai 11. (B grade) players, Misses Gardiner and Clark. The men’s final will probably be between Steele and Stephens. The former beat Strang 9 —7 this week. The Invercargill team which travelled to Winton won; but not without a few frights. Strettell, who the previous Saturday did so well against Townsend, went down to Lindsay to the tune of 4 —9. While Lindsay played good and shrewd tennis, he should not have been allowed to win so easily. Strettell rather allowed himself to be bluffed, as others have done before him. The Invercargill man cannot readily adapthimself to an unorthodox game such as Lindsay’s. McDonald, after being down 2 —4, pulled up his sticks and did not allow Henderson another game. At this time matters were not looking very rosy for Invercargill, so McDonald put his best foot forward to good effect. McCurdy drove freely against Lopdell, but the latter was playing well and made many effective volleys to clinch rallies. Stuckey was definitely superior to Dobbie, who had to be content with 2 games. Lindsay and Henderson won all the way from Strettell and McDonald, who did not combine well on the first association. Lopdell and Stuckey won comfortably. Miss Cutt was the only Invercargill lady to win her single. This she did decisively, her play being much admired. She and Miss Todd were in good form in their double, both being aggressive at the net. The Invercargill team did well in the mixed doubles, McDonald and Miss Logan being the only pair to - lose. Stuckey and Miss Cutt, however, had a close call against Dobbie and Mrs Lindsay, winning only by 7—6.

Central, as was generally anticipated, defeated Georgetown, but the men of the latter club did well, winning three singles and both doubles. Barnes and McKay had a hard fight, the former’s quickness at close quarters bringing him home 9 —7. Johnstone and Paterson were also well matched. This time the honours went to Central 9—7. Davidson and Kerr had easy wins over Hilton and Stubbs in the singles, but got home by only one game in the doubles. The Central ladies proved overwhelmingly strong, winning all their matches with

Although as far as the ladies were concerned honours were easy in the Bluff-Glad-stone game, the men of the latter club carried all before them. Miss Russell, who has benefited considerably from her play in Dunedin, played aggressive tennis against Mrs Shearer, whom she defeated 7—3. Miss Dixon won both her single and double and went down by only one game in her mixed double—a good performance. The B graders continue to derive a great deal of profit and enjoyment from their competition. Georgetown gave Invercargill a fright and Central nearly pipped Kennington. The other winners were Waihopai I. and IL, St. Mary’s and Rugby Park. The St. Mary’s-Waikiwi game was in doubt right until the finish when auditors on either side had to add up the games to see which was ahead, the verdict going to St. Mary’s. The Christmas tournament promises to be one of the most successful yet held. The entries are excellent and the quality of the players equally good. It is gratifying to see the country players patronizing the tournament so well; also to have entries from as far. north as Woodville. Pollock, of Dunedin, must stand a good chance of annexing the men’s singles. He and Rawlinson will be a useful doubles pair. So will Townsend and Dick Johnstone. Miss Lawrence, last year’s singles champion, will not be a competitor; otherwise the holders of the titles will be defending them again. The boys’ singles should be full of interest with Baird, Strang, Don Hamilton and a dark horse from Nightcaps competing. So should the girls’ singles. Mr George Barnes will be in charge of the tourney—which means that everything will be pleasantly and efficiently run. I had a note this week from Doug. Dobie to say that he will not be a competitor, though he may be in Invercargill during the tournament. He leaves by the Rangitane on January 30 for England on a business trip. , Mrs Scott of Timaru is a late entrant tor the championship singles at the tournament. She will be very- hard to beat. I have been asked to quote the rule governing the court position of players in a doubles or mixed doubles game. The rule states: “The players to receive service shall receive it alternately throughout each game. The order thus established shall not be altered during the set.” It is therefore clear that players shall not change sides as was formerly the custom, when the person who had just served used to receive in the right hand court. Some Hints. Here are some hints, culled from a northern paper, which may be useful to tournament competitors: (1) Look for your opponent’s weakness. It may be his forehand. It may be his

backhand, or a lob may trouble him most.

(2) Hard, straight hitting to the backline may not always be the best. It may suit your opponent better than it suits you. (3) Mover fail to mix the pace. It tends to be a disturbing element in the game. (4) If you are not winning with one style of game, try to be versatile and adopt something a little bit different. (5) Try to make your opponent take the ball when he is on the run. It is more difficult for him than when standing calmly in position. (6) Angular shots are frequently winning shots —a player coming in to the net on a short ball can easilv be passed with a slow ai lar shot. (7) I>-<.n the occasion arises, try a crosscourt shot. Try to drive your opponent on to the next court. If the ball bo returned the next stroke should be an easy one for you. (8) In playing, particularly a single, do not expect to make a winning shot off every ball. Learn to wait for the right, ball. It is essential when the opportunity does come that you go for your shot, win or (9) Steadiness is a good possession, but to become a champion you must be aggressive. (10) Never play to the. gallery. If you can win a point by a good orthodox stroke, taking no risks, do not attempt anything fantastic. (11) If you are in winning vein, do not case up. It may be fatal. It takes you out of your stride, and gives your opponent a chance to pick up. Go all out all the lime. , . (12) A good temperament is a wondertut asset, but nevertheless it has often been said to be really good you want to be able to put a little vice in your game. (13) Never make gestures of disgust when playing your game. Give your opponent credit for his good play. (14) Win your matches with popularity —victory without popularity is poor satisfaction.

(15) Never gloat over your successes, especially when having beaten an older and perhaps more experienced player. Some day, if spared, you will be an old plaver” yourself. (16) When selected to play for your club or province, always remember that you have the honour of your club or province to uphold. You cannot do as you like—you are expected to do your best. (17) Good sportsmanship and good behaviour both on and off the court reflect credit on yourself and on the game of lawn tennis.