LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1923, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

TARANAKI TOURNAMENT. RESULTS OF FINAL GAMES. ANDREWS BEAT WALLACE. The final games in the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association's tournament were, with two exceptions, decided at the New Plymouth Club's courts on Saturday. The stiff crosscourt wind of the previous day was not so troublesome, while the day remained fine though cloudy till late In the afternoon, when the sky was shrouded In black,’ but after a short shower the sun burst out again. The winners of the various championship events were:— Men’s singles: E. D. Andrews (PalmersV-n North). Men’s doubles: C. Dickie and A. G. Wallace (Waverley). Ladies’ singles: Miss Payton (Auckland). Ladles’ doubles: Misses Knight and Payton (Auckland). Combined doubles: To be decided to-day. Boys’ singles: F. D. Ballantyne (New Plyi mouth). Girls’ singles: Miss S. Mills (Okato). i In the handicap classes the leaders were Men’s "A” grade singles: E. D. Andrews ; (Palmerston North). I Men’s “B” grade singles: J. G. Shaw (New i Plymouth). I Men’s doubles: Lamble and Innes. Ladles’ singles: Mrs. Horner (Stratford). I Ladies’ doubles: Misses Malcolm and FreeI they (New Plymouth Park). I Combined doubles: To bo decided to-day. ! Crowded with onlookers, the environs of the I courts presented a bright, appearance in the ! eftomoon, there being many ladies* and gen- ; tiemen present in summer attire, while the ac- ; tiritles of the players in the final games comi plpted a picturesque scene. By three o’clock, ! when the final In the men’s championship ' singles commenced, there was a large eager j throng of spectators. A good exhibition was i given by the finalists, though the compara- : ti-o ease with which an eighteen-year-old ' player conquered an opponent who had been I playing in Taranaki tournaments before his ' young rival was born, was truly amazing. i Andrew’s victory by 6—o. 6—l, 6 3 stamps ' th? Impress of quality upon his play and he : sFnmr destined to reach, a higher rung in the tennis ladder of the Dominion. Wallace was in short, outgenoralled by h’s opponent, but the match was clean and crisp and, at times, , especially early in the third sot. it appeared I that W’allac.e might go In and win. Andrews, linwever, played coolly, steadily, and at times : brilliantly and left no douht as to the result. Owing to a day of tournament play being lost through wot weather, some semi-finals were not completed till the early afternoon. This necessitated the playing of some of the finals at the same time and interest in the games was divided. About 6.30 the trophies were presented to •’uccessful players by Hie president (Mr. .C. B. Webster), who expressed thanks for the success of the tournament to the visitors, the ladles, and the secretary (Mr. B. Wilson), who had hern ably assisted by Mr. Balharry. The trophies were then presented to the winners as enumerated above, Wallace (runner-up in the men’s .championship singles) and Miss B. Knight (ladies’ runner-up) also being awarded trophies. The championship silver cup, together with a racquet presented by Messrs. Cook and Lister, went to E. D. Andrews. On behalf of the visitors, Mr. Wallace expressed thanks to tho tournament management for tho success achieved. He had been attending the Taranaki tournaments since 19dl, and he considered this year’s fixture tho best yet. At his call, three cheers wore given for the ladies who had worked so hard to ensure success. Previous winners of the championship cuo have been: 1902, J. C. Nicholson: 1903. C. Dickie; 1904, IT. A. Parker; 1905, H. A. Parker: 1906, A. G. Wallace: 1907, A. G. Wallace; 1908, H. A. Parker; 1909, A. F. Wilding; 1910, C. Dickie; 1911, A. G. Wallace; 1912, A. G. Wallace; 1913, G. Ollivler; 1915, J. C. Nicholson; 1921, A. W. Sims; 1922, A. fl. Wall ace. Details of ipJay:—

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. MEN’S SINGLES. Third Round.—Allison beat Johnson 9—7, 6 Semi-final.—Andrews beat Webster 6—2, 7 5. Sparkling play marked the' progress of this match. After the young Palmerstonlan had won the first set fairly easily a battle royal commenced. Andrews took the flrst four games and then W’ebster, playing brilliantly, took the next five games, leading at that stage f—4. Both men were playing very well, Andrews’ placements and Webster’s smashes being features of the game. Rally followed rally and several deuce games added keenness to the match. In the tenth game Webster seemed to fall away,, slamming several returns Into the net, Andrews also was putting a. few balls out of court, but he evened up the games to five all. Both played for the mastery, the ball skimming the net time and again, but the advantage was with Andrews. who won the next two games and a splendid set, 7—5. Semi-final.—Wallace beat Allison 6—3, 6—l. This match did not arouse the same interest as the other semi-final, being played early after lunch. Last year’s champion won both sets fairly easily from the Waltara. player.

Final.—Andrews (Palmerston North) heat Wallace (Waverley) 6—o, 6—l, 6—3. Interest was keen as the finalists appeared, but expectations of an exciting match were not realised. Day throughout was good but, contrary to general opinion, the young Palmerston player had no difficulty in disposing of Wallace; four times winner of the event. Tho flrst four games of the first set fell to Andrews without trouble. The next two were closer, deuce being reached, but the serving of a double fault by Wallace at a critical moment spoilt his chance. Two deuces were called In the sixth game and, after a brilliant cross-court rally, Wallace put the ball out, giving Andrews the first set, 6—l. Wallace won his first game at the opening of the next set, but Andrews, using his back-hand to advantage, evened up in tho next. Two good placements gave Andrews the third game. The next was more even, but, after two deuces, Wallace sent, a couple of balls out of court. Many of Wallace’s shots also found the net. After smashing to reach deuce in the fifth game, a pretty rally followed, ending with a hot placement by Andrews, who was whipping the ball over the net in great style. A hlt-out by Wallace gave the added lead to Andrews of 4—1.. Wallace seemed to he playing better shots, hut the second set concluded In his opponent’s favor by 6—l. Tho first game of the deciding set saw Andrews Win off his service after reaching deuce by neatly dropping the ball over the net. Wallace took the. next., a deuce game, but tho next two went to Andrews. By winning the fifth game Wallace showed promise of capturing the set. Andrews, however, kept his lead, which, after the seventh game, was reduced to 4—3. Andrews had no difficulty, however. In taking the next two, a netted ball by Wallace in the ninth game giving the set to Andrews by 6—3, and with It went the singles championship. MEIN'S DOUBLES. Semi-final.—Wallace and Dickie heat Allison and Archer 6—2. 6—3. The redoubtable Waverley pair held the upper hand throughout, varying their play well to the delight of the spectators. Archer played the better of the losing pair. Allison being frequently found out of position, but he retrieved himself somewhat with some good shots. Wallace marked tho whole court, cutting the ball particularly well. A feature of Dickie’s play was his excellent ground work.

Semi-final.—Webster and Nicholson beat. Morrison and Lusk 6—3. 6—2. Using good placing Morrison and Lusk, two young players, carried the first set to 3—l. but thereafter won no more games. They made the mistake of lohblng the ball to Webster, who smashed It time after time. Webster’s service was also the deciding factor In the final game of the set. Nicholson was playing with fine judgment to tho baseline corner. After winning the first two games of the second set the New .Plymouth pair lost the third game after going 'to douce. .The fifth game fell to Morrison and w put un a mad flgbt.

but wete unable to win any more, though running to deuce several times. Final.—Dickie and Wallace (Waverley) beat Webster and Nicholson (New Plymouth) 6—2, 26, 6—3, 6—2. This game proved very ’attractive, the standard of tennis being fast and good. Each pair took a .set. the Waverley players winning the third, whilst the decisive fourth set was also won by them. LADIES’ SINGLES. Semi-final.—Miss Knight beat Miss Brewster 6—3, 6-j-O; Miss Payton boat Miss Ballahtyne 6—2, 6—l. Final.—-Miss Payton (Auckland) beat Miss Knight (Auckland) 6—4, 6—o. A closer contest was anticipated but, though the standard of play was good, it did not reach that shown by tho ladies in the preliminary rounds. Both, however, showed a mastery of back-hand shots, though not taking the game orer-serlously. LADIES’ DOUBLES. Semi-final. —Misses Knight and Payton 6—3, 6—l, beat Mesdatnes Bullard and Grant 6—3, 6—l; Misses Brewster and Ballantyne beat Misses 'Cfefttbatch and Simpson 6—o, 6—l. Final. —Misses Knight and Payton (Auckland) beat Misses Brewster and Ballantyne (New Plymouth) 6-4, 6—4. The New Plymouth ladles put up a good showing against more experienced opponents. COMBINED DOUBLES. Second Round.—Dickie and Mrs. Graham beat King (»nd Miss Simpson 6—2. 6—l. Allison and Miss Ballantyne beat Merron and Mrs. Weston 6—2, 6—2. Third Round.—Morrison and Miss Knight heat Wallace and Mrs. Wallace 6—l, 6—3; W’ebster and Miss Payton beat Berg and Miss Boon 6—o, 6—l; Nicholson and Miss Brewster beat Dickie and Mrs. Graham 6—2. 6—2 ; Allison and Miss Ballantyne beat Balharry and Miss Greatbatch 6—2, 6—l. Semi-finals.—Nicholson and Miss Brewster beat AlliSOn and Miss Ballantyne 7—5, 2—6, 6—3; Webster and Miss Payton beat Morrison and Miss Knight.'6—3, 4—6, 6—4. The final between Nicholson and Miss Brewster, and W’ebster and Miss Payton will be played to-day. BOYS’ SINGLES. Final.—F. D. Ballantyne (New Plymouth) beat J. D. Mackay (New Plymouth) fl—o, 6—l. . GIRLS’ SINGLES. ■ Final.—Miss S. Mills (Okato) beat Miss L, Ballantyne (New Plymouth) 6— 4, 6—4. HANDICAP EVENTS. MEN’S SINGLES—"A” GRADE. Third Round.—E. D. Andrews (owe 30) beat Powdrell (owe 15) 9—l. Semi-finals.—D. D. Andrews (owe 30) heat Nicholls (rec. 2—6 15) 9—2; Morrison (owP 15 3—6) beat Wilson (rec. 2—6 15). z Final. —Andrews (Palmerston North) beat Mdrrison (Auckland) 9—3. * MEN’S SINGLES—“B” GRADE. Semi-finals. —Wheeler (rec. 15) beat McCltjno (owo-15 2e=r.G) 9—6; J. G. Shaw (owe 3 6 15) beat Lambie (rec. 2—6 15) 9—3. Final.—Shaw (New Plymouth) beat Wheeler (New Plymouth Park) 9—4. MEN'S DOUBLES. Third Round.—Powdrell and Andrews (owe SO) beat Wilson And Valentine (rec. I—6 15) 9—5; Allison and Archer (owe 40) beat Wood and Andrews (rec. 15) 9— 7; Merron and Johnson (owo 3—6 15) beat Wynyard and Lusk (owe 4—6 15) 9—B. Semi-finals.—Allison and Archer beat Powdrell and Andrews 9—5; Lamble and Innes beat Merron and Johnson 9—4. Final.—Lambie and Innes beat Allison and Archer 9—3. LADIES’ SINGLES. Third Round—Miss Bullard (owe 4—6 15) beat Miss Hilles (rec. 15) 7—4. Semi-finals.—Mrs. Homer (owe 2—4 1.1) heat Miss Valetftine (scr.) 7—3; Mrs. Bullard (owe 4 15) beat Mrs. Weston (scr.) 7—6. Final.—Mrs. Homer (Stratford) beat Mrs. Bullard (Inglewood) 7—6. LADIES’ DOUBLES. Second Round.—Mcsdames Grant and Bullard (owe 15 I—6) beat Misses Fookes and Saxton (rec. 4—6 15) 7—2. Third Round.—Misses Valentine and Ringland (owo 3—6 15) beat Misses Whittington and Hilles (Ocr.) 7—5; Misses Malcolm and Freethey (rec. I—6 15) beat Mesdaznes Wallace and Graham (owe 2—6 15) 7—4; Miss Boon and Mrs. W’eston (scr.) beat Mesdames Grant and Bullard (owe 15 I—6) 7—3. Semi-finals.—Miss Boon and Mrs. Weston boat Misses Valentine and Ringland 7—l’, Misses Malcolm and Freethey beat Miss Home and Mrs. Thomson 7—2. Final.—Misses Malcolm and Freethey (New Plymouth Park) beat Miss Boon and Mrs. Weston (Stratford) 7—4. COMBINED DOUBLES. First Round.—Grant and Mrs. Grant (owe 30 4—6) beat Rockel and Miss Leatham (owe I—6 15) 9—3; Smith and Miss Whittington (owe 15) beat H. Dickie and Mrs. Wallace 9—3; Johnson and Mrs. Homer (owe 15) beat Diprose and Miss Freethey (owe 2 —6 15) 9—2; Turner and Miss Griffin (owe 2—6 15) won from Balharry and Mrs. Balharry (owe 4—6 15) by default; McClune and Miss Greatbatch (owe 30) won from Ranford and Miss Therkloson (owe 15) 9—6; Mackay and Miss Wood (rec. 15 2—G) won from Williams and Mrs. Williams- (scr.) 9—4; Merron and Mrs. Weston (owe 15) won from Kururnngi and Mrs. L. Smith (owe 30 4—6) by default; Boon and Miss Ludlow (scr.) beat Bennett and Mrs. W. Smith (owe 45) 9—2; Nicholls and Mrs. Billiard (owe 15) beat Griffiths and Miss Carthew (scr.)- 9—7; Powdrell and Miss Ringland (owe 30 4—6) beat Shaw and Miss Winfield (owe 2—G 15) 9—6. Second Round. —Shearer and Miss Malcolm (scr.) beat Fookes and Miss Shaw (owe 4—6 15), 9—4 ; Berg and Miss Boon (owe 15 2—6) beat W’ilson and Miss Johns (owe 2—6 15) 9—7; King and Miss Brewster (owe 40) won from Nicholson and Mrs. Nicholson (owe 40) by default; Grant and Mrs. Grant beat Smith and Miss Whittington 9—4; Johnson and Mrs. Horner beat Turner and Miss Griffin 9—4; Mackay and Miss Wood beat McClune and Miss Greatbatch 9—5; Boon and Miss Ludlow beat Merron and Mrs. Weston 7 —3; Powdrell and Miss Rlnglnnd won from Nicholls and Mrs. Billiard by default. Third Round.—Johnson and Mrs. Horner beat Grant and Mrs. Grant 9—2; Shearer and Miss Malcolm beat Mackay and Miss Wood 9—6; Berg and Miss Boon beat King and Miss Brewster 9—7. The third round match. Boon and Miss Ludlow v. Powdrell and Miss Ringland, the semi-finals, and the final will be decided this morning. AD LAWN TENNIS NP TOURNAMENT TO-DAY’S PLAY. The remainder of the combined handicap doubles will be commenced at ten o’clock this morning, and all players are requested to be on the courts at that hour. The final of the championship combined doubles will be played at two o’clock in' the afteraoor TARANAKI V. AUCKLAND. ANNUAL MATCH TO-MORROW. The annual match between representatives of the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association and the Auckland Association will be. played on the New Plymouth Club’s courts to-morrow, play commencing at 11 a.m. In former years the match was played for a banner, which, however, was' destroyed by the flre in the Strand Arcadc In Auckland. To replace it, a handsome shield was secured by the two associations, and to-morrow’s play will decide whether it will return to Auckland with the visitors or remain in New Plymouth for the ensuing year. The majority of the Auckland players will arrive by the RaTawa to-morrow morning. Tho following have been selected to represent Taranaki and any player who will be unable to play Is requested to notify the secretary of the association: Messrs. A. G. Wallace and C. J. Dickie (Waverley), J. C. Nicholson, T. B. Webster and K. Q. Archer (New Plymouth), Dr. P. E. Allison (Waltara); Misses »Ballantyne, Brewster and D. Simpson (New FlmoCU). Mi MM- a » nt (Milmood).