LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10418, 23 March 1912, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

The final for the singles championship of the United Club was played on the club courts on Friday last between It. D. Harman and "W. Goss. The wind took a hand in the game, but notwithstanding it? influence both players showed distinctly good tennis. The scores were even in sets and in games at the end of the second set, but Harman, taking a love ?et in. the next, hr.d a serviceable- lead, which Goss evened in the fourth. The- deciding set ran to vantage, and Harman won at 8-G, and with it the championship. Goss set out with tie idea that there would be no pottering in his game, and when ho sets himself that aim one can rest assured he will give his? opponent an anxious time. But on Friday the wind interfered with his accuracy, and time after time he just misted the court by a fraction. Harman scorned to adopt safe tactics, and emulated his opponent's heavy cross driving, and after the first set seemed to have the advantage in accuracy. In the fourth set he tired badly, and it appeared that he would not last to the end, especially as Goss made two all, in which good overhead work was a characteristic feature. His chance looked to be dwindling to nothing when Goss stood B-4 and 40-15. But the veteran has been in tight corners many a time, and a call on that reserve of energy that he has stored for such an emergoncy just pulled him through. With only one stroke between Harman and defeat Goss found tho left-hand corner, but Harman ran round the shot, and a clinking forehand drive won him tho ace and gave him another chance. After a great rally deuce was called, and, continuing in winning vein, Barman, made 5 all. Hard hitting by both players in the vantage games made inspiriting tennis, and Harman just lasted long enough to win 8-6. Scores:—2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 4-6. 8-6. The winner deserves all the honour attached to a most creditable win. It needs a knowledge of ancient tennis history to remember when, as a youth not twenty years of age, he pushed himself into the front rank of New Zealand tennis. His game has been refashioned and rejuvenated so many times to adapt itself to the attack of younger players that one wonders whether there is any limit to the playing capacity of the veteran. Everybody was delighted. with his win, and his boaten opponent was loud in his praises of tho marvellous game produced by a man who is on the shady side of fifty years.