OVER THE NET

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 13

OVER THE NET

By

"DEUCE."

| Players Not Yet In Form Owing to the unsettled weather conditions there has been little opportunity tor hard practice, and very tew players have yet struck anything like their best form. There will probably he quite a number of surprises in interclub and club matches, as many of these will have to be played betore P avers will have settled down to their usual game. * * * B Grade Inter-Club Auckland and Devonport had a very clu.se contest on Saturday. Each club won a matches, but Devonport got the decision by the narrow margin of only one set. This .demonstrates how essential it is for players to endeavour to win their matches without the loss of a set. Often when a player feels no has the upper hand he is inclined to play carelessly and lose a set which he coud possibly have saved by concentrating from the beginning. * * * D Grade Captains Reach Deadlock It is unfortunate that* the captains of Vauxhall and Ngataringa were unable to find a way out of the deadlock which was created by Ngataringa refusing to play' the last match on account of the failing light and being unwilling to default as it was claimed that the Vauxhall team had arrived late and was at fault. At that stage Vauxhall led by 5 matches to 4, but the sets were even. A win to Ngataringa in the last match would therefore have given them the decision on sets. Under the circumstances it is probable that the inter-club committee will order the match to be replayed and no doubt the rules will be amended to prevent a recurrence, of such an unsatisfactory position.

Interesting Ladder Match E. W. Griffiths, who held third place on the ladder, lost his position this week to N. G. Sturt. Sturt won by 2 sets to 1, the scores being 6 —3, 4 —6, 6—4. There were many long rallies and a large number of the games were only won after deuce had been called several times. For the most part the game was a duel from the base lines, each man pounding away at the other’s back-hand. Considering that the players have had little practice the form shown was surprisingly good. What handicap Griffiths may have in years he certainly makes up for in courtcraft. He has always set a fine example to the young players in Auckland by his will to win and his cheery smile when the fortunes of the game are against him. ,✓ Courtesy To Umpires Most of us at sometime or other have seen a player in an important match throw' away a point when he has considered that the previous point has been given in his favour through an erroneous decision on the part of the umpire. This practice has caused a great deal of controversy. Often it is prompted by the player’s sincere desire to right what he considers an injustice to the other player, but the better opinion seems to be that this is

I mistaken sportsmanship. It may be a generous act so far as the opponent is concerned, but it is certainly courtesy to the umpire, whose task for the most part is a very difficult and thankless one. It the game is to be played with an umpire, surely players should be prepared to take doubtful decisions as all part of the game. As a rule they usually even up. Whoever heard of a cricketer giving up his wicket when the umpire, caught having a nap, fails to hear a snick into the wicket-keeper’s gloves, which the batsman knows very well has occurred. He takes it as all in the game. A footballer, about to score a try, knowing ho has taken the pass off-side, does not stop in the act and draw the referee’s attention to it. And so in every game it is essential to bow to the umpire’s or referee’s decision. If a player’s conscience compels him to throw away a point in the presence of spectators, then let him do so without any open display, and so as not to embarrass the umpire. Players should make up their minds to play strictly to the umpire’s decision, and they will find that they will bo less likely to be put out by questionable decisions. It will assist also in developing the right temperament for match play.

Titirangi Tournament The four grass courts situated at the Titirangi golf links are to be officially open for play this week-end. A tournament to which all tennis players are invited, is to be held and post entries will be received. * * * Essentials For a Backhand Drive The position of shoulder and body for a backhand drive should be even more sideways to tt\e net than for a forehand. The weight should be forward at the moment of impact, and the ri foot planted firmly on the ground. The ball must be taken more in front of the body and not so far back as in a forehand drive, otherwise you will find it almost impossible to control or put power into the shot. Take a full swing, and start to make it as soon as you perceive that your opponent’s shot is to be directed to your backhand.