LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17015, 13 April 1923, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

LADIES' CANTERBURY CHAMPION SHIP. The final of the ladies' !b*e tennis championship of Canterbury, between Miss Spier* «M»d Miss Terrier resulted in a win for the former. 3-6* 6-5, 6-1. Mise Perrier suffered from a very severe cold, and this affected her play to a great extent. She started off by winning: the first three games in the ttrst set before Miss Spiere had nettled down properly. Accurate placements and general steadiness enabled Miss Perrier to win the first set at 6-3. Mies Bpierg w«e very erratic in her serrioe during this set and Mise Perrier preserved a perfect length. The second set provided a very hard struggle, ai d eo-jne spectacular tonnis was witnessed. Both ladies played an essentially base-line game, rarely, if ever, coming to the net, M>d the result was tome herd driving and long rallies. Miss Ferrier led at 5-4 and 40-0 in this set, and «u within a point of game, set and match, but Miss Spiers rallied and by means of some excellent back-hand shots drew level and won the next game and set on servioe. Miss Ferrier went to pieces in the last set. and her sort returns were absolute gifts to her opponent on several ocoasions. Miss Spiers’s service and forehand drives. beautifully placed, were irresietable and she led 5-0. Miss Ferrier took the next game on her opponent's service after leading 40-15 The end came after the next game. Miss Spiers winning off her owu service Mise Ferrier, on several occasions during the last jet. made no effort to play her opponent’s returns, and Miss Spiers had no difficulty in winning. THE SYDNEY MATCHES. NEW ZEALANDERS AGAIN BEATEN. SYDNEY. April 12. Owing to the continued rain, the resumption of the tennis matches was delayed for a. couple of hours. The courts were sloppy when a start was made, several players discarding their shoes in order to obtain a better foothold. Even then, it was practically impossible to move off the mark smartly, or to turn to chase, returns. The New Zealanders appeared to be more at home on the wet courts, and from a scientific standpoint provided the best tennis. But they were unable to wrest the laurels from their keen, persistent opponents, who won thirteen rubbers against eight.

Peacock’s play was a feature of the series. Every shot was stamped with the hall-mark of an artist. Ollivier, who is imperturable in sunshine and rain, invariably found his length early, but at times lost points by hla erratic returns. Sims proved himself an outstanding player. The remainder of the team impressed the critics by their allround play and fine temperament. In the singles Peacock beat Kirkpatrick, 6-0. 6-3, the former losing only three shots in the first five games. Ollivier beat Sieler, 6-2. 11-J. The loser fought hard to the twentieth game, but the visitor succeeded in the game, set, and match. Clemenger beat Sims. 6-3, 3-6. 6-4. Sims met his master in Clemenger, who relied chiefly on his services for his victory.

In. the doubles. Sieler and Baker boat Peacock and Ollivier. 6-3, 2-6. 6-3. The visitors had their opponents at sea in the first set, superior court generalship enabling them to run the New South Wales men all over the slippery court Sieler moved about with catlike agility in the second set, and accomplished brilliant. net play. Baker's form fluctuated till nearing the end of the third set, when he momentarily eclipsed the visiting veterans. Dive and Huthnance beat Peacock and Ollivier. 8-6, 6-3. Peacock excelled in overhead work, and Ollivier exercised his usual judgment, but appeared listless at times. Dive was kept busy by the New Zealanders, especially as his partner was weak in backhand strokes. In the second set. the second game was love to forty in favour of New' Zealand, but Huthnance excelled himself. His speedy services and returns won the game. Kirkpatrick and Clemenger beat Wallace and Robson, 6-3, 6-4. The winners proved their superiority in volleying and net play. Peacock, asked to explain his defeat, said. “We just lost, that is all. We have had a splendid time, notwithstanding our Orange experience. We regret the rain interrupted the later games. The New Zealand team sails or Friday