TENNIS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 11620, 2 December 1901, Page 4

TENNIS.

OAMAEU r. TIMARU. The annual match between the Timaru and Oamaru Tennis Clubs was played at Oamaru on Saturday last, St. Andrews Day. On leaving Timaru by. the early tram light rain was tailing, and the rainwas carried to Richmond, just north of Oamaru, where they had hao a- shower or two in the early morning. The visitors were met on'arrival by Messrs Newton, Spain, Maclean, and others, and waimly welcomed, and when the courts were reached very acceptable morning tea was dispensed by the .ladies of the Oamaru Club. 'No time was lost, a start being made with the men's singles, and . tne courts were kept occupied till 4.10 p.m., when all the sets but the ladies' doubles had been got through. The weather throughout the day was unusually pleasant; the match as a whole was well fought out, and vrks productive of some of 'the best tennis ever* witnessed on the courts. The best play was witnessed in the singles, and Oamaru "once more highly sustained - its -reputation for excellence in this branch. The two wins" that Timaru gaine.d.were worthy ones, Miss Revell's fine placing and steadiness being too much for Miss Taylor, and Mr Revell having the good fortune to meet Mr Appleby at a time when he was clean off his sfiash, though the Timaru player must be given every credit for keeping a good length and volleying well anv return that was at all loose. The first and second men's singles were productive oi a variety of play. Both Lynch and Spain got in their points very quickly, either by low and high volleying into tne corners or by well placed nard drives; while Newton and Cameron had many Sustained, rallies, which were closed either by Newton placing the ball piettily across the court on the back hand, or by Cameron smashing a" lob from the back of the court. Both were dead on the volley, and in only two games (one game each) did they have an easy run off their fast service. Both Miss Tennent and Mr Tennent played up well, for in the circumstances they had to meet players who were superior to them. In the" one case Miss Gilchrist played a wonderfully steady game; and in the other, Mr Glen's placing won the day v In the combined doubles the Timaru pair played a very strong game, and as Miss Taylor kept her returns low they were entirely at the mercy of the man at the net, and fairly broke up Mr Appleby's defence. In the first men's doubles Newton and Maclean were very safe, and though Timaru held their own at the start, the brilliant volleying and passing by the former.were eventually much too good for the northern representatives. The second men's doubles were keenly fought out, hard driving by Mr Rowley and judicious lobbing bv Mr Revell, beating in the end Messrs Spain and Snmpter's running in and volleying. The totals were Oamaru. 101 games, Timaru 85 games—a. win, for the home team/by 16 games, a result which was highly creditable, and which showed that plav as a whole was very interesting. The ladies of the Oamaru Club served a very tasty luncheon for theplayers ; Jß the pavilion, and .dispensed afternoon "tea to visitors and players dnring the afternoon. As the day was "observed as a partial holiday in Oamaru. there was a good attendance of visitors, more particularly of ladies, and applause was very hearty and impartial. The following are the scores : SINGLES. Miss Taylor (0.) v. Miss L. Revell (T.J, 5-7 Miss Gilchrist (0.) v. Miss E. Tennent (T Mr 7 Spain (0.) v. Mr Lynch (T.), 9-7. Mr Newton (0.) v. Mr Cameron (1.), 9-7 , Mr Maclean (0.) v. Mr Rowley (T.), 9-7. ' Mr Appleby (0.) * Mr Revell (T.), 4-9. Mr Sumpter (0.) v. Mr Didsbnry (1.), 9-7 Mr Glen (0.) v. Mr R. C. Tennent (T.), 9 2 DOUBLES. Miss Tavlor and Mr Appleby v. Miss Revell and* Mr Lynch, 2-7. Miss Gilchrist and Mr Newton v. Miss Tennent and Mr Cameron, 7-4. Maclean and Newton v. Lynch and Didsbury, 9-5.* ._ Spain and Sumpter v. Revell and Rowe"Appleby and Glen v. Cameron and, TenD Missts 7 ' Tavlor and Gilchrist v. Misses Revell and Tennent, 5-4 (unfinished).