LAWNS IN SPLENDID ORDER

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1927, Page 4

LAWNS IN SPLENDID ORDER

QUICKLY DRY AFTER THE RAIN. ORGANISATION WORKS SMOOTHLY. One of the most pleasing, features of yesterday’s play was the capable organisation of the tournament in the face of many difficulties, and the committee are to be heartily congratulated on the success following upon their very considerable but careful preliminary work. Almost up till the hour of starting it appeared doubtful whether rain would cause the abandonment of play for the day, for the steady downpour of Monday afternoon and evening was succeeded by threatening weather yesterday morning. Yet by 9.30 a.m. the games had started, and soon play was in full swing, both on the New Plymouth Club’s courts and at Rotokare. As was only to be expected, the courts were heavy during the morning, causing a deadness which, however, quickly vanished, and by the late afternoon the balls were bouncing fast from a green and inviting turf. Thanks to the care and attention bestowed on the courts by conscientious caretakers, the surface was almost faultless, and players had little or nothing to complain of in the way of erratic balls. While most of the matches were contested on the New Plymouth courts, several in the boys’ singles section, as well i as other miscellaneous matches, were decided at Rotokare, the players being conveyed to and from the suburban courts by motor vehicle. LEADING PLAYERS COMPETING. It is a tribute to the popularity of the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association’s annual fixture that in spite of the faet that both the Auckland and the Wanganui tournaments are in full swing, so many New Zealand players of merit have entered for the tournament at New Plymouth. Approximately 18Q entries were received, this being an advance of a dozen of more in number over last year. Fifty-six players entered for the men’s singles, which promises to provide some stirring encounters. In this section, as in several of the others, the presence of the noted competitors from New South Wales has caused considerable added interest. Yesterday the Australian visitors were seen in action in several matches, and gave the spectators a taste of first-class lawn tennis. A much appreciated convenience for the public this year is the provision of ample seating accommodation along the south ends of the principal courts at New Plymouth. Spectators may watch the play in comfort and from a commanding position without in any way encroaching on the playing area. INTERESTING STAGES REACHED. MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. The first round of the men’s ehampionship singles is already fairly well advanced. In the top half of the draw all the first round matches have been completed with the exception of three, but in each of these three prominent players are engaged and they should have no difficulty in coming through. Only two singles matches have been played in the bottom half of the draw. Wheeler (in the top half) and Dr. North and F. Peach (in the bottom half) have reached the third round. Matches still to be played in the first round inelude McCausland (New South Wales) v. Scott, Malfroy (Wellington) v. McClure, and D. France (Wellington) v. J. T. Shaw (New Plymouth), in each of which the former player of the pair should have little difficulty in reaching the next round. An interesting match, to take place probably to-day, should be the one between Atmore (Otaki) and Martin. The next opponent for Wallace (Waverley) is the winner of the Dickie (Waverley—Dr. Christie (Wanganui match. F, Peach’s next opponent will probably be Lampe (Wanganui), who meets A. Wilson in the first round, and the struggle between the Australian and Lampe should provide some splendid tennis. The most likely winner of the top quarter of the draw is the Victorian Haege, whose most doughty opponents will probably be the New South Welshmen McCausland and Fitzgerald. The second quarter contains D. France and Malfroy (Wellington), and N. Peach (New South Wales). In the third quarter are several prominent players, including Melody, Peacock (Wellington), Dr. Christie (Wanganui), and Webster (New Plymouth), while the moat likely winner of the bottom quarter is Noel Wilson (Wellington), though he will meet plenty of sturdy opposition. He will most likely have to meet Brewster (New South Wales) in the second round,

and after him Wallace and the winner of the F. Peach—Lampe match. THE LADIES’ SINGLES. In the ladies’ singles there are stih six first round matches to be played, while six players, including Miss Barltrop (Feilding) have gone through to the third round. Miss B. Nutting (Inglewood) was rather unfortunate in being pitted against Miss E. Ballantyne (New Plymouth) in her first match, the meeting resulting in her elimination right at the beginning. The most prominent players in this section, out of a field of nearly 40, are the two Sydney ladies (Miss N. Lloyd and Miss J. Watson). Miss Lloyd will probably have to meet Miss Simpson (New Plymouth) and Mrs. Grant (Inglewood), while Miss Watson, in the bottom half of the draw, will find several worthy opponents. In the boys’ singles the first round is completed, except for the Malfroy—S. White match. Malfroy’s next opponent will be J. Ewart (New Plymouth). J. Moline and G. Ewart are the only players who have reached the third round. Only four entries were received for the girls’ singles. Miss M. Nutting has already reached the final, in which she will meet the winner of the B. Gayton —V. Shield match. Miss Gayton should have no difficulty in finding her way to the final. THE MEN’S DOUBLES. An interesting match has been reached at an early shtage in the men’s doubles, for Webster and Shaw (New Plymouth) are to meet Dr. North and McCausland (New South Wales( at 9.30 o’clock this morning. This match, together with the singles match, N. Peach v. Hooper, should provide the best tennis of the morning. Dickie and Wallace will be seen in action against Hine and Edmonds to-day. In the men’s doubles six pairs out of 13 have reached the second round. In the top part of the draw Peacock and Wilson (Wellington) are partnered, and on their way towards the final will have to meet the best out of Welsh and Dr. Hooper, Lampe and Wheeler, and one or two other good pairs. Taranaki will very likely be pitted against New South Wales lower down in the draw, when the Peach Brothers and Wallace and Dickie meet one another. In the third quarter McCausland and Dr. North appear to have the best chances of going through to the semi-finals to meet Haege and Malfroy from the bottom quarter. The latter pair will find some stiff opposition in pairs of the calibre of Fitzgerald and Brewster and 'Wheeler and Lezard. THE LADIES’ DOUBLES. Only two pairs, Mrs.- Smith and Miss Malcolm and Miss Brewster and Mrs. Peacock, have reached the third round in the ladies’ doubles. There are still three matches to play before the first round is completed. Miss Lloyd and Miss Watson, partnered together in the top half of the draw, should go through to the final, but in the bottom half the talent is more evenly divided. Miss Brewster (New Plymouth) and Mrs. Peacock (Wellington) have a good chance, as have Misses Simpson (New Plymouth) and Barltrop (Feilding), and Misses S. Preedy and Herbert (Wellington). Nine matches have stlil to be played in the first round of the combined doubles, while three comparatively strong pairs, N. Peach and Miss Rundle, Watson and Miss Ballantyne, and Smith and Miss Hilles, have reached the third round. The entries in this section number over 40, and many of the combinations are strong. Dr. North and Miss Lloyd appear to have the best chances, but thoy have to reckon with Haege and Miss Rundle, N. Peach and Miss Simpson (present title holders), McCausland and Miss Brewster, Peacock and Mrs. Peacock and several other formidable partnerships. HANDICAP EVENTS. Fair progress has been made in most of ths handicap sections. No matches have yet been played in the men’s doubles. In the ladies’ doubles three matches out of 16 have been completed in the first round. Two out of seven matches have been decided in the first round of the men’s A grade singles and five out of 16 players have reached the third round. Only four matches have been completed in the first round of the B grade singles. In the ladies' singles eight out of 23 first round games have been played, and two ladies have reached the third round. The present holders of the Taranaki championship titles are: — Men’s Singles.—E. Bartleet (Auckland). Ladies’ Singles.—Miss E. Rundle (New Plymouth). Men’s Doubles.—C. B. Webster (New Plymouth) and E. B. W. Smyth (Wellington). Ladies’ Doubles. —Miss M. Lloyd (Sydney) and Miss A. Brewster (New Plymouth). Combined Doubles. —P. Haege (Victoria) and Miss Simpson (New Plymouth). Boys’ Singles.—P. McCarthy (Hawera).

Girls’ Singles.—Mias J. Brownlee (Auckland). THIS MORNING’S PLAY. The following players are requested to report at the New Plymouth courts at 9 a.m. today:—J. J. McCarthy, Anthony, Young, D. R. Richards, G. Moline, Allan, G. McHardy, N. Martin, White, A. Diokie, R, Patterson, Miss Shield, Miss B. Gayton, Mrs. Allison, Webster and Shaw, Dr. North and McCausland, Miss Barltrop, Mrs. Smith, Dickie and Wallace, Hine and Edmonds, Dr. Valentine and M. Valentine, Knofflodc, Pollock, N. Peach, Hooper. CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS MEN’S SINGLES. FIRST ROUND. I. P. Grant beat D. G. Young 6 —l, 8— 0; N. Peach beat J. D. Smith 6—o, 6—l; Dr. North beat J. M. Hine 6—o, 6—l; J. J. Valentine beat Pryke 6—3, 10—8; A. 11. Richards beat H, C. Newell 6 0, 6 —o; A. G. Wallace beat D. Ballantyne 6—2, 6—2; Brewster beat Wagstaff 6— 2. B—6; Petci'S beat Mackay 7 5, 6—l; D. Richards beat Boon 6—l, 9 Welsh beat Bedell 6—o, 6—o; Fitzgerald beat P. Smith 6—3, 6—2; Foden beat Edmonds 3—6, 6—o, B—6; Dr. Hooper beat Innes 6—2, 6 —l. SECOND ROUND. F. Peach beat Nicholls 6—2, 6—3; Dr. North beat J. J. Valentine 6—o, 6—o. LADIES’ SINGLES. FIRST ROUND. Miss Watson beat Miss Shepperd 6—4, 6—2; Mre. Smith beat Mies Walker 6—4, 4—6, 6—4. SECOND ROUND. Miss Barltrop won from Miss Trayes by default; Miss E. Ballantyne beat Miss B. Nutting 6—3, 6 —5; Miss Hilles beat Miss Cowper 6—2, 6—o; Mre. Allison won from Miss Hawkins by default; Miss Preedy beat Mrs. Bullard fi—3, 6—2. BOYS’ SINGLES. FIRST ROUND. G. Moline beat J. O’Shea 6—4, 5—6, 6—3; J. Ewart beat H. V. George 6—2, 6—o; Paterson beat P. Moline 6 —o, 8— SECOND ROUND. G. Ewart beat Stace 6 — 2, 6—o; J. Moline beat Gay ton 6—3, 6—2; P. O’Shea beat J. McCarthy 6—6, 3 —6, 6—l; Drew beat Rose 6—3, 6—4; J. Ewart beat N. Martin 6—3, 6—l. GIRLS’ SINGLES. Miss M. Nutting beat Miss B. Lobb 6—4, 6—5. MEN’S DOUBLES. FIRST ROUND. Webster and Shaw beat Mackay and Peters 7 —9, 6—l, 6—4; Dr. North and McCausland beat Pryke and Richards B—2, 6—l; Peaeh and Peach beat Ballantyne and Watson 6—2, 6—l; Newell and Boon beat Wilson and Allen 3—6, 6—3. 6—B. LADIES’ DOUBLES. first"round. Misses Lloyd and Watson beat Miss Nutting and Miss Bell 6'—l, 6—l; Misses Peach and Fox beat Misses Magill and Wood 6—5, 6 —2; Misses Ballantyne and Ballantyne beat Misses Cowper and Lewis 6 —o, 6—l. SECOND ROUND. Miss Brewster and Mre. Peacock beat Misses Thorpe and Hilles 6—o, 6—3; Mrs. Smith and Miss Malcolm beat Misses Greig and Dell 6—o, 6—l. COSIBINED DOUBLES. FIRST ROUND. Martin and Miss Barltrop beat Allen and Miss Greig 6—l, 6 —3; F. Peach and Miss Watson beat Gore and Miss S. Preedy 6 —2, 6—l; McCausland and Miss Brewster beat Peacock and Mrs. Peacock 6—3, B—B. SECOND ROUND. N. Peach and Miss Rundle beat Edmonds and Miss Lewis 6 —o, 6—2; Smith and Miss Hilles beat Barnes and Miss Barthorp 6 —o, fl—2; Watson and Miss E. Ballantyne beat L. Christie and Miss Bell 4—6, 6—3, 6—3. HANDICAP EVENTS.

MEN’S SINGLES—A GRADE. FIRST ROUND. Shaw (owe 4-6 15) beat Edmonds (scr) 9—B; A. H. Richards (owe 15 2-C) beat Haase (rec. 1-6 15) 9—2. SECOND ROUND. Nicholis (scr) beat Dr. Hooper (owe 15 2-6) 9—6; Dr. Valentine (rec. 2-6 15) beat Dickson 9—l; King (scr) beat Newell (scr) 9—5; Gore (owe 2-6 15) beat P. Smith (rec. 3-6 15) 9—7; W. M. Valentine (scr) beat D. Ballantyne (owe 1-6 15) 9—5. MEN’S SINGLES—B GRADE. FIRST ROUND. V. Drew (scr) beat Crofts (rec. 4-6 15) 9—6; Pease (owe 15) beat N. W. Knofflock (rec. 3-6 15) 9—3; Barnes (scr) beat Nicholson (scr) 9—4. SECOND ROUND. Drew (scr) beat Ross (rec. 2-6 15) 9 —B; Christie (owe 2-6 15) beat Austin (owe 4-6 15) 9—5. LADIES’ SINGLES FIRST ROUND. Miss Walker (scr) beat Miss Troyes (rec. 5-6 15) 7—l; Miss Wilson (rec. 1-6 15) beat Miss Mantell (owe 15) 7—l; Miss Blundell (rec. 2-6 15) beat Miss Preedy (owe 2-6 15) 7 —2; Miss B. Nutting (owe 15) beat Miss M. Nicholson (rec. 15) 1- —4; Miss Gayton (rec. 4-6 15) beat Miss Shield (rec. 15 1-6) 7 —o; Miss D. Baker (rec. 3-0 15) beat Miss Turnbull (rec. 3-6 15) 7 —2; Miss Herbert (owe 15) beat Mrs. Lightband (rec.

4-6 15) 7—l; Miss Magill (scr) beat Miss Sladden (scr) 7 —6. SECOND ROUND. Miss Dell (rec. 15) beat Mrs. Grant (owe 30) 7—3; Miss Thorpe (scr) beat Miss Greig (rec. 15) 7 —5. LADIES’ DOUBLES. FIRST ROUND. Miss Malcolm and Mrs. Smith (owe 4-6 15) beat Miss Thompson and Mrs. Lightband (rec. 15) 7 —2; Misses Baltrop and Simpson (owe 30) beat Misses Gayton and Troyes (rec. 15) 7 —2; Mrs. Birch-Johnston and Miss Leatham (rec. 4-6 15) beat Misses S. Preedy and Herbert (owe 15 2-6) 7—4.