TENNIS

Southland Times, Issue 22188, 2 December 1933, Page 14

TENNIS

(By

“Chop.”)

Town v. Eastern at Gore to-day. Town v Western at Riverton to-day. B grade matches to-day. The draw is:— Section A.—Georgetown v. Bluff at Bluff; Gladstone v. Invercargill at Invercargill; St. Mary’s v. Waihopai II at Waihopai. Section B.—Southern v. Southend at Southern; Rugby Park v. Kennington at Kennington; Waihopai I v. Central at Central. The Christmas tournament programmes will soon be out. From all accounts there is going to be a large outside entry as well as liberal patronage from Southland. Many of Dunedin’s leading men are coming down and the local celebrities will have to give of their best to carry off the honours. A Grade Matches. While the victories of Invercargill, Waihopai I, Central, Winton and Southend last Saturday were not unexpected, the sweeping nature of most of them was certainly surprising. Georgetown, for instance, looked to have a good chance against Southend, but could get only two sets. Coming to the rescue of their club, Rae, Fortune and Miss D. McCallum greatly stiffened the ranks, without in any way showing signs of being stiffened themselves through their absence from match play. The ladies’ singles were remarkably keenly fought, each set being won only at 7—6; b u t it was Southend who annexed three of the four. Miss J. Lamont is fulfilling all .her early promise and registered a good performance by defeating that excellent match player, Mrs Harland. The Southend men won all their singles with comparative ease. McCaJlum, who at his best could probably beat anyone in Southland but who cannot yet be relied upon to do himself justice in matches, made no race of it against Barnes, striking form right at the beginning and never letting up. There should be a great future for McCallum once he develops a good match temperament, and this will assuredly come with continued play. Thomas played many nice shots against Rae, but the latter’s forehand is a great weapon and his all round play has considerably improved. Smith could not foot it with Rigby and Fortune beat Balthrop 9—4. The doubles, however, were much harder fought, the Southend pairs winning 9—7 in each case. Mrs Mehaffey and Thomas were the only Georgetown players to meet with success in the mixed doubles, winning against Rigby and Miss McCallum 7—2. Gladstone have not by any means a I weak team, but they were ■ no match for Invercargill I, the absence of Miss Tapley further discounting their chances. Deaker, who is playing very forcefully and accurately did not allow Hewat a game. Don Hamilton gave Cockerill a run for his money and though beaten 9 —-1 was by no means disgraced, while Russell’s net play gave him 6 games to Strettell’s 9. The surprise in the men’s singles was Nicholson's defeat of the reliable Shand. The High School boy decided to play Shand at his own game and beat him 9—6. Miss Lush could make no headway against Miss Rein who won 7—o. The Gladstone player seems to have no basis for her singles game though she places splendidly in doubles. Miss Cutt had a comfortable win from Miss Russell as did Miss Murdoch from Miss Hoyles but Miss McKay took Miss Shand to 7—6. Miss Hoyles and McKay proved a good double, beating Misses Cutt and Shand 7 —5. Even without Miss Guest Central were able to defeat St. Mary’s by 14 sets to 2, proving superior in all departments save the men’s singles where honours were easy. Allan Baird accounted for Patterson 9—4, giving a fine all round display, while Walsh, blending restraint and free hitting judiciously, beat McKay 9 —6. But there the record of St. Mary’s successes ends for try as they might the ladies could not keep pace with their formidable opponents, though Miss Fitzgerald played well to capture three games I from Miss Melvin and Miss Shepherd was only beaten 7 —5 by Miss Price. Walsh and Baird were unable to repeat their singles success in the doubles, Patterson and McKay winning easily. Another match to finish 14—2 was that between Waihopai I and Invercargill 11, the former carrying off the honours. The most interesting match was the men’s singles between Strang and Hannay. While it should be stated in justice to the former that he was short of practice through an absence in Queenstown of three weeks it should also be stated that Hannay unleashed such a devastating forehand attack that it is doubtful if he would not have beaten Strang at his best. Emulating those few great players who have discarded all maxims about not running round to protect one’s backhand. Hannay manoeuvred so that on all possible occasions he could get his heavy gun into action and against this persistent barrage Strang found his net play unavailing. It was the length of Hannay’s shots no less than their pace which troubled Strang. The Invercargill man is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Hannay partnered by Mrs Cockerill (who has improved amazingly), also won her mixed double. The ladies of the Waihopai II team proved superior to Winton, but the men of the latter club compensated for this by winning three of the four singles. Honours were easy in all branches of the doubles, the sets tally being B—all but Winton having a margin of five games. Manson was outplayed by Lindsay, but Thompson accounted for Henderson by his accuracy and good placing. Clarkson and Hughes, though beaten in their singles, went better in their double in which they beat Perrelle and McCurdy 9 ■ —6. Miss Wesney showed good form winning both her single and ladies’ double and losing her mixed only 7—6. Miss Clark was even more successful, winning all three matches. C Grade. The C grade matches were, taken all through, much more closely contested than in A grade. Georgetown beat Bluff only by games, as did Makarewa I beat Tisbury. St. Mary’s won from Waikiwi by the narrow margin of 9 sets to 7. Waihopai and Southend, however, had easy wins from Moana and Makarewa II respectively. The Rugby Park Club is anxious to enter a C grade team and as a bye exists in section two there seems every reason for granting the application. Central v. Town. There could have been no better result to an enjoyable and exciting match than Town’s victory by a single game against Central District on Saturday. The afternoon was in pleasant contrast to previous match days, the courts were in excellent order, the ladies of the Rugby Park Club admilably filled the role of hostesses, the men umpired gallantly and Mr F. Perrelle kept the ball rolling, the result being that the match finished in good time. Altogether it was a very happy and successful afternoon. The Town men were well beaten in the singles by the visitors, McEwan being the only local player to meet with success in this department. Whitaker and Woodhead, the leading Central men, have previously proved themselves sound match players, but their form on Saturday was even better than in earlier matches. At the same time they have encountered stiffer opposition than Kerr and Rice who were too prone to err. Nesbit and Thomson had a good game, the latter winning 9—6. L. Lindsay (son of George Lindsay, the Winton champion) has great possibilities, his defeat of Stubbs

9—5 being a good performance. Dobbie was a bit unlucky striking McEwan whose game was good enough to place him at the head of the team. Both Miss Payne and Miss A. Woodhead had easy wins in their single, but the other Central ladies suffered defeat. Miss J. Farmer’s form fox- Town was particularly good and it was fitting that she and McEwan, each of whom came through the day undefeated should be the pair who in the last set of the day pulled the match out of the fire for Town. The return match which will be played in the Central District later in the season, should prove equally interesting, though it is probable the Town selectors will place a still stronger team in the field. To-day’s Representative Games. Both at Gore and Riverton tennis of a high standard should be witnessed to-day. The Town team to meet Eastern is as selected except that Miss Joyce Lamont takes the place of Miss Guest who was not available. In previous Town —Eastern matches the Town ladies have proved definitely superior and judging from the personnel of the teams it rather looks as if this will be the case to-day, though Mrs Martin may strengthen the home side and Miss Guest’s absence make a difference to Town Miss Lamont, however, is playing very fine tennis and should certainly justify her inclusion. There should be some keen struggles in the men’s singles. Deaker and McLeod will cross swords again and as both are playing at the top of their form a great driving duel should be witnessed. Cockerill v. Townsend should also be a spectacular match, while the showing of the younger Invercargill players, Strang, Baird and McCallum will be watched with interest. Whoever meets Hanan will have his work cut out for the Waihopai player is driving splendidly. The strength of the Western team is reported to be in their ladies, though the result of the Western—Northern match indicates that the men are anything but weak. Last year Town just got pipped on the post by Western in a match that was concluded in the rain. The finish will probably be close again to-day, with the odds slightly in favour of Town. Flaying for premier position on the men’s ■ doubles ladder Deaker and j Cockerill beat Sumpter and Baird 6 — 4, 6—B, 6—l. At times the tennis reached brilliant heights but more often it was poor. McCallum and Rigby beat Paterson and Stephens in straight sets, McCallum playing particularly well. Smith and Nesbit beat Robson and Stubbs 6 —3, 2 —6, 6 —3; Rout and Hannay beat Manson and Smith 6 —l, 6—4; Misses Basstian and Stand beat Misses Hannay, J. Lamont and Holdsworth 6 —3, 6 —2. The ladder secretary states that some of the players are lax in notifying results. Where no notification is received the challenge will be deemed to have lapsed. In the final of the Georgetown club championship (held over from last year) Thomas beat Barnes 4—6. 7—5, 7 — 5. Barnes had match point in the second set but failed to press home the advantage. Crawford's Defeat. Crawford was certainly well beaten by Perry in the Victorian championship final, and the critics present at the match seemed agreed that the Englishman was much the better player on the day, some even going so far as to place Perry definitely the world's best. That, I think, is rather a hasty reversal of the present order. The two will meet on several occasions yet in the Test matches and it will not be at all surprising if Crawford proves himself the better man. He undoubtedly has the better equipment but Perry's amazing activity and boundless energy may more than counteract the flowing strokes of the Australian. The names on the championship roll are very interesting. Brookes won five times, Wilding twice and G. L. Patterson seven times. Crawford has been the holder since 1928. The complete list since 1901 is: 1901, H. Rice, 1002 N. E. Brookes. 1903, N.E. Brookes. 1901, N.E. Brookes. 1905, R. W. Heath. 1906, N. E. Brookes. 1907, H. A. Parker. 1908, A. F. Wilding. 1909, A. F. Wilding. 1910, S. N. Doust. 1911, N. E. Brookes. 1912, J. C. Parke. 1913, R. W. Heath. 1914, A. O’Hara Wood. 1919, G. L. Patterson. 1920, G. L. Patterson. 1921, G. L. Patterson. 1922, G. L. Patterson, 1923, G. L. Patterson. 1924, G. L. Patterson. 1926, R. E. Schlesenger. 1927, G. L. Patterson. 1928, J. B. Crawford. 1929, J. B. Crawford. 1930, J. B. Crawford. 1931, J. B. Crawford. 1932, J. B. Crawford. W. T. Tilden is 40 years of age; and in Paris they are still wondering how he carried this handicap of age and still beat Henri Cochet in straight sets. Suzanne Lenglen, ever exuberant in praise, says that “Tilden simply filled me with wonderment.” Here is a snatch of dialogue reported by Reuter: — “What’s your secret ?” asked Cochet, suddenly, turning to Tilden. “My secret?” Tilden replied. "I drink only water, I never smoke, I go to bed early, and get up early, and I play five long matches every week. There you arc!” And as glasses were raised to drink healths all round, Tilden held up a glass of water. We showed this cutting to a veteran player, who skips about the courts like a grasshopper. “Pshaw,” he said, “I’m twenty years older than Tilden, and have held my own in my own class, with the youngsters for forty ’ years. I never drink water. A glass of good beer is good enough for me.” So there you are ladies and gentlemen. Take your choice. —Sydney Referee. Miss Hartigan showed really highclass form, and if she can meet the overseas players here, I have no doubt that next year will see her the best woman player Australia has produced. A week or two ago I was not impressed by her form, but here she delighted me. Well done, Miss Hartigan!—likewise, Bravo, Miss Bickerton! for a plucky effort and a cheery smile of congratulation to her conqueror (writes A. V. Doyle in the Sydney Referee, commenting on the New South Wales championship finals). Menzel, the big Czechoslovakian, who defeated E. D. Andrews and reached the last eight in this year’s Wimbledon, and who beat Perry in the Paris championships last year, has had both feet badly injured in a motor cycle smash. The doctors at Prague have forbidden him to play tennis for a long time. Thus it appears likely that Menzel will not be available for the 1934 season and a lion in the path of many aspiring champions will be removed. Menzel had a disconcerting habit of upsetting men who look likely to beat him with case, and he is well-known lor his aggressive tennis. . The table below gives a cold description of the Crawford—Hopman struggle in the N.S.W. singles championship final: Crawford. Hopman. Nets 35 30 Outs 37 3u Placements 39 18 Strokes which compelled errors 19 1* Double faults H 11 It will thus be seen that Crawford lost 83 points and won 58, while Hopman lost 74 and won 35. Crawford was 25 and Hopman 39, leaving 14 points in Crawford’s favour, 132 strokes to 118. Waihopai Whispers. The Waihopai courts have been fully occupied this last few days with Udies matches, club competitions, etc. Miss Lockwood reached first place on the ladies’ ladder by defeating Miss Ronald 2_6, 6—l, 6—l, after a very fine game in which the winner’s serving and driving on either hand were very good. Miss Wesney moved into fourth place by defeating Miss Whyte 3—6, B—6, 7—5, This game was a marathon, neither player putting much sting into her

shots until in the end it became more of an endurance contest. Miss Gardiner defeated Miss Ronald in the first round of the championship singles, 9—3. While Miss Ronald has played better it was a meritorious effort on the part of the victor. Miss Gardiner hit out very freely which, coupled with good volleying, gave her an easy victory. Miss Ronald played careless'v.

One the men’s ladder Hanan defeated Stephens 6—3, B—6, being much too consistent for the loser. The same player is now top of the latter, having defeated Strang 7—-5, 5 —7, 6 —4. This was a good game, Strang’s penchant for a mid-court position getting him into a lot of trouble. Although he made some beautiful volleys the number of times he outed, netted or was passed outnumbered considerably his winner’s. Hanan was driving well and was playing steadily. Waihopai II had a close game at Winton, the home team winning by five games. The Waihopai ladies’ superiority in winning three singles was offset by the Winton men winning three singles. Mrs Lindsay, the only Winton lady to win, played a very good game and will extend most of the players she meets. Misses Wesney, Clark and Gardiner all played well in winning their singles. Lindsay gave Manson, who was playing well, no chance, and seems to be playing as skilfully as ever, his driving and volleying being first class. His serve, however, was not working as well as usual. Thompson played very steadily to beat Henderson by the odd game and Perrelle and McCurdy were too steady for Clarkson and Hughes respectively. When Manson and Miss Wesney went on to play Lindsay and Miss Balch Waihopai were eight sets to seven, but were well down on games. The Waihopai pair put up a magnificent fight, and only bowed to defeat 6—7 on the redoubtable Lindsay’s serve. It was a fine sporting game enjoyed by all. Winton appear to be stronger than they have been for some years.