TARANAKI TENNIS TOURNEY

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1927, Page 9

TARANAKI TENNIS TOURNEY

PERFECT WEATHER FOR SECOND DAY’S PLAY MANY INTERESTING GAMES RESULT PROMINENT PLAYERS TO BE ENGAGED TO=DAY

Warm sunshine and hardly a breath of wind made conditions ideal for the continuation of the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association’s annual championship meeting at New Plymouth yesterday. Only careful and efficient organisation prevented the tournament from becoming a little upset owing to a number of the Dominion’s leading players being held up at Wanganui through the postponement of the tournament there on account of rain. These competitors, ineluding D. France, Noel Wilson, Melody and Malfroy (Wellington), Pearse (Temuka), Lampe (Wanganui), and Haege (Victoria), arrived yesterday afternoon, however, and will be engaged in all sections of play to-day.

The features of yesterday’s play were the surprise defeat of two members of the New South Wales touring team, Fitzgerald and Brewster, 6—3, 6—2, by a New Plymouth pair, Ellis and Richards in the men’s championship doubles; the hard fight put up in the combined doubles by Miss B. Nutting (Inglewood) and J. Pease (Hawera), who were defeated 6 3, 6—3, by Miss Brewster (New Plymouth) and. McCausland (New South Wales); and the elimination of Melody (Wellington) by Webster (New Plymouth) 6—l, 7—9, 6—o, the loser playing a fighting game more evenly than the scores indicate.

GLIMPSES OF THE PLAY

IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARD. SEVERAL SPECTACULAR GAMES. Due no doubt to the perfect weather conditions, fast and true lawns, and to the visitors settling down and playing up to best form, a considerable allround improvement was evident in the standard of play, especially during the afternoon, and good tennis, some of it first-class and even classic, was provided for the spectators. Many wellknown and popular figures were seen in action, and also several new ones, some of the younger players acquitting themselves well and giving promise of development into flrst-elass exponents of the game. Yesterday’s play was, generally speaking, of an eliminating nature, and so far not many of the leading players have been pitted against one another. To-day, however, and for the rest of the tournament, after the prominent players who arrived yesterday have disposed of their opponents in the first round, there should be many stirring encounters. Few players of rank have been disposed of with the exception of Fitzgerald and Brewster (New South Wales) in the doubles, and Melody'(Wellington) in the singles. Melody was rather unlucky in striking a player of the calibre of Webster (New Plymouth) so early. From strenuous play at Wanganui yesterday morning he came post haste to New Plymouth by motor and immediately engaged and defeated Curtis. With only a brief spell he was matched against Webster, and earned frequent applause for his sterling struggle. MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. In the men’s singles all the first round matches have been completed except those between McClune (New Plymouth) and Malfroy (Wellington). McCausland (New South Wales) and Scott (Wellington), D. France (Wellington), and Shaw (New Plymouth), and Shearer (New Plymouth) and N. Wilson (Wellington). In the top quarter of the draw it looks as though Haege (Victoria) will contest with Fitzgerald or McCausland (New South Wales) the right to play in the semi-final against Malfroy (Wellington), D. France (Wellington) or N. Peach (New South Wales), who have the best chances in the second quarter. Dr. North, in the third quarter, will most likely meet Webster (New Plymouth) in a contest fc the right to play in the semi-final in the bottom half, while in the fourth quarter Wallace (Waverley), N. Wilson (Wellington), Brewster (New South Wales), Lampe (Wanganui) and F. Peach (New South Wales) are all in the running. Atmore (Otaki), Ellis (New Plymouth) and Dickie (Waverley) were all put out yesterday. A battle of consistency with both players driving methodically at one another in a wearing down process, was the result of the meeting between Martin and Atmore, which was devoid of anything spectacular. The play was very orthodox, although occasionally one or the other livened up the play with a slashing volley or smart return. Both appeared content to stand on the back line and pound one another. In the last stages Atmore seemed to tire, a fact which his opponent was quick to appreciate, and which led to his defeat 3—4, 7—9, 6—3.

Dr. Hooper did a lot of running about at N. Peach’s will during the two sets in which the latter disposed of him. The Australians’ greater variety of strokes and his service, which at times left Dr. Hooper standing, were the chief factors contributing to his win, although in the second set, until he became erratic, his opponent made a fair bid for victory.

OTHER SINGLES CONTESTS.

Until he got over his apparent nervousness, Pease suffered badly at the hands of Peacock, the former New Zealand champion. The ex-champion was by far superior in placement and judgment. In the second set Pease made a much better showing, volleying well and doing more damage with hie service, while Peacock’s shots found the net on many occasions. However, the more

experienced player won, although Pease extended him to the utmost. Players of long and honourable standing met when Peacoek and Dickie (Waverley) used dogged consistency against one another to its fullest extent. The ex-Dom inion champion eventually triumphed in a match that went to three sets.

In the second round N. Peach (New >South Wales) proved too strong for Dr. Hooper (Palmerston North), his versatility and general superiority giving him a comfortable victory in two straight sets. The struggle between Webster (New Plymouth) and Melody (Wellington) was full of interest. Webster won the first set 6—l, without difficulty, and - went to 5—3 in the second set. The Weilingtonian rallied splendidly, however, and in spite of match point in the balance on three occasions, he drew level and forged ahead to o—s. His play was characterised by hard driving and accurate placing. Webster evened the score, but Melody obtained the lead again 7 —6, running past Webster at the net with several accurate drives to the tide line. Again Webster evened the score. The next game was a masterpiece of courtcraft on the part of Melody, who took the game with some splendidly judged lobs to the base-line and corners, and a variety of accurate placements. Concentrating on service aces which beat Webster several times, the Wellington player took the next game from 40—30 and with it the set 9—7. The effort had wearied him, however, and in the third set he was easily disposed of 6—O. THE LADIES’ SINGLES.

In the ladies’ singles Miss Barltrop (Feilding) and Mrs. Allison (New Plymouth), and Miss Preedy (Wellington) have all reached the fourth round, but several first round matches have still to be played. None of the leading players with the exception of Mrs. Smith (Wanganui) and Miss B. Nutting (Inglewood) have been disposed of.

Miss P. Barltrop (Feilding) defeated Mrs. D. R. R. Smith (St. John’s, Wanganui, and formerly of Vogeltown), o—s, 6—3. The game was closely contested and was remarkable for the length of the rallies. Each player was driving with considerable force, just skimming the net. The winner, however, displayed better judgment in her placement®. Miss Bain had a long fight against Miss L. Ballantyne, losing the first set I—fi, and requiring to go to advantage in the third set after just scraping home o—s in the second. Both players used a variety of orthodox strokes, volleying well from the net and also from near the base-line. Miss D. Baker fully extended Miss Dawson, though the latter won in two straight sets. lire boys’ singles are well advanced. In the bottom half Drew has reached the final, while in the top half the semi-final la to be contested between Dickie and Ewart. Miss Gayton (New Plymouth) won the top semi-final of the girls’ singles without any difficulty, and meets Misf H. Nutting (Inglewood) in the final. THE MEN’S DOUBLES. Three matches have still to be played in the first round of the men’s doubles, Lampe (Wanganui) and D-France (Wellington) or Peacoek and Wilson (Wellington) stand the beat chance in the top quarter, and the better of these will meet the winner of the F. and N. Peach IV S.W.)—Dickie and Wallace (Waverley) match in the semi-final. In the bottom half, Dr. North and McCausland (N.S.W.) will probably come through to the semi-final, I’ieir most serious opposition being Pearse (Temuka) and Melody (Wellington). In the bottom quarter, Richards and Ellis (Nev- Plymouth), Sandrill and Charters, Gore and Scott, Atmore and Dr. Hooper, and Haege and Malfroy are still to show their worth. The match between Dr. North and McCausland (N.S.W.) and Webster and Shaw (New Plymouth) yesterday morning was disappointingly uneven, the Australians winning without difficulty in two sets 7—5, 6—l, the local pair deteriorating rapidly towards the end. Webster was not at his best, but would have made a much more even game of it had he received more faithful support from his partner. At times Shaw made some brilliant strokes, showing exceptional agility about the court and crispness in his style, but he was very erratic, frequently netting the ball or driving it well out. (Continued on page ten.)