TENNIS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 10

TENNIS

NEWS FROM ALL COURTS.

FROM HEAVENLY HARMONY THIS GREAT GAME BEGAN. I s'pose if there was not a game, Like tennis for to play. The sun would try to shine the same; ' There'd still be night and day. And men would live, and men would die, And in between would find A game their time to occupy— At least, a sort of kind. But though the sun would shine, I know It would not shi«e so bright, .And day would but be day, and so Would night be just a night. And living would be just a sort Of being just alive; We'd be but human bees a-caught In an unhoneyed hive. 3fhere would be men—non-tennis men, Non-tennis maids as w*ell; The Wednesday’s “Star” they • still would pen - (I doubt if it would sell). *kut men and maids and sun and sky, - And all the dreams we dream, . Are better, as they pass us by. By tennis's bright gleam. SCHOOL TENNIS. Everybody—or at least, nearly everybody—whom the writer has asked about school tennis has finished up by saying: “ But you want to see Mr Wake pr Mr Bean about it.” Mr P. E. Bean said, “The best man see is Mr Wake.” so to Mr H. G. Wake, tennis enthusiast, and head master of the East Christchurch School, The question was put: “To introduce tennis into the public school should .-the move come from the teachers or • ’from the C.L.T.A.?” Mr Wake's reply is: “ Until we have more courts the teachers can do little. The first move must be to form a i£*ndv to approach the school commit- ] «rcs with the object of trying to interest them in school tennis. The boys are keen to play and so are the girls, but there are no courts to play , ;dn At my school we have one court "which is reserved for Standards V. and -VI. girls. There are over 100 girls in those two standards, and fully eighty desire to play. We limit the games to 15 points up. and a girl can only get a game about every third day. ” The boys, as I said before, cannot play, yet the fact is well known that to produce champions it is necessary to learn the game at the earliest age possible On this court at East Christchurch School I gave Miss May Speirs her first game: and I remember when I was at Hokitika I was instrumental in getting a court put down at that school, and coached the young boys. One young lad, within three or four years.* was first player in Hokitika. I am sure that Mr Seay's move is in the right direction, and I will help all I can. ... “At East Christchurch we get a revenue from the court from the Y W.C.A., the girls using it after five 5t night and before eight in the morning. and we have had numerous other requests for renting it. Probably the best idea would be to call a meeting of the householders of .each school for the purpose of forming a club on the school grounds, the children to vacate the courts after five in the evening, and, of course, on Saturday afternoon and holidays the club members would lx* in control. This would appeal to committees and provide them with a small income and would provide the children with courts. The first need is: courts.” OPAWA CLUB NEWS. Sixteen men have entered for the men’s championship, and twenty for the Wilding Tup (handicap). P. B. Harman defeated W. F. Wallis in the championship 6-1. 11-6. 6-4: and A. Steeds defeated W. Clayton 6-2, 6-3. Tn the ladies’ championship. Miss Reed defeated Mrs Lochead, 6-4. 4 6. 6-1 ; Miss Sanders defeated Mrs Tongie 6-0, 6-1 : Miss Scott beat Mrs Brooke, and Miss Ferrier defeated Miss Atkinson G-0, 6-0. In the Garland ("up handicap singles. Miss L. Ferrier <rec. 2-6) was defeated 1 - Miss M’Kav (rec. 15). 9-3: Miss Will ex (owe 15. .»• defeated Miss Kcvs Wells (owe 1-6). 95: Miss Reed (owe 30* defeated Miss Stout (rec. 30). 9-7: Miss May Andrew (owe 15. 4>. defeated Mrs Wallis (rec 30'. 9-5: Mrs Stuart (rec. 15. 3) defeated Mrs Pollulc (rcc. 301. 93: Miss II Fraser (rec. 30) defeated Miss Scott (rec. 30>, 97. NOTES.

P. Haege. the young Victorian, who was over here at Christinas, is fulfilling the promise that he showed. He recently won the special singles championships. and ran Fitchett to four sets in the semi-final of his club championships. It was Fitchett who ran Patterson to 5 sets recently. Critics consider Haege to be Australia’s most promising colt. This may interest the ladies Recently the writer read . Baddeley's " Lawn Tennis” published in 1900 The correct costume for ladies is set down as A costume consisting of white duck or white pique jacket and skirt, and an ordinary lady's skirt, set off with a pretty hat band and necktie of the same colour. The skirt should be very full, and must not be less than two and thiet quarters or three yards in width round the hem. Care should be taken to have the skirt cut sufficiently short that it will clear the ground by at least two inches. 1 suppose anyone with a skirt three inches off the ground was considered *' fast.” « vt a Addington finished up some of the championship finals last Saturday, when H- L. Wise won the men’s senior singles from R. Colson, 3-6, 6-3, 6-0. Poison came to the net in the first set. and Wise made a lot of mistakes, but in the second and third sets his shots got home. Wise plays a most attractive game, and only needs match practise to go a long way.

The ladies' singles at Addington went to Mrs Adams who beat. Miss Lowe 6-5, 5-6. 6-1. The ladies’ junior singles went to the club’s most improved lady. Miss P. Hogan, who beat Mrs Foster 6-2, 6-0. The ladies’ doubles was won by Mrs Adams and Miss Lowe who beat Mrs Savage and Miss Jack. 6-0. 6-2. The finals will probably be played next Saturday, when Poison and Wise meet Fairelough and Clemens in the men's doubles, and in the combined doubles W. Fairelough and Mrs Clemens meet IT. L. Wise and Mrs Adams.

The St. Andrews Club championships have been decided. J. Pottinger beat A. L. Thompson 6-1. 6-2. and met R. V. Gilmour in the final. Gilmour won 6-2. 6-3. Miss Powell is this year's champion lady. Although below both her opponents on the ladder she won fatrlv easily. She beat Miss H. Dewar 0-6, and then Miss Reid 9-5. 3 K « FINDING THE BEST BALL. Tt goes without saying that the man who discovers how to make a pair of balls last where two pairs were before will be close up as a benefactor of the human race, with the man who duplicates the grass foliage. Spalding's representatives have written to Mr R. Browning pointing out that their balls have been adopted for the Davis Cup matches for the last five years, and asking for a test out. They also mention other tournaments and championships where Spalding's balls are used, but the list is too long to be quoted. So next Saturday at Wilding Park twenty-eight representative Canterbury players will meet in a progressive tournament with Spalding balls provided. The balls should get a good try-out there, for Wilding Park has about the roughest surface in Christchurch. Play starts at 1.45 p.m. sharp, and the following is the order of the play:— Each match will be one straight set, and the winners will move up and go to opposite sides of the net. while the losers will remain on the court, one changing over. Court Xo. 3—-W. Goss and J. B. Mercer v. S. W. Field and P. R. Harman. Court Xo. 4—G. L. Berry and R. Browning v. T. W. Patterson and W. S. Somerville. Court Xo SA. Borrows and J. R. Johnston v. B. B. Loughnan and A. B. Loughnan. Court X'o. 6—W. Sheppard and S. D. Denton v G. Oltivier and A. Wood. Court Xo. 7—Dr Allison and M. G. Somerville v. D. O'Connell and C. Angas. Court Xo. B—T. A. Seav and E. G. Bum v. R. H. Tait and E. Eaton Court X'o 9—A. Derbidgc and J. Munnings v W. ITawkins and H. Tillman. SUBURBAN RANKING LIST. In a match for first place on the suburban ranking list, played at Wilding Park on Saturday, W Hawkins retained first place against a challenge by J. Mercer. Although Mercer led 53 in the first set, he lost it 7-5. and (he next 6-1. The challenger did not play his best game and failed to get a length. Ilawkins. as usual, volleyed well. W. Hawkins has now been top of the ladder for over two years, and on his day he is quite the best suburban singles player. THE N.Z. TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. 1 he reports in the Australian papers of the match between Xcw Zealand and Xcw South Wales are flattering to the visitors. “ Austral.” in the Sydney “Referee,” says: -“It is safe to say that the four colts of the New Zealand team cou’d defeat any four colts in any State, and probably a combined team of Australian young players.” Of the* Canterbury representative he says: “ Seay is a young player with fine strokes all round. He is a left-hander and reminds one of Xorman Brookes. Like him he has a fine low forehand volley; but his backhand is equally good, and his forehand drive is like a flash, and is played with a free lash of the wrist imparting just the amount of overspin he needs for the shot. His service is easy of execution but not formidable, though commanding respect. and is well placed.” Xcxt to Andrews. Scav had the best record. His two defeats on the tour w*-!*e to Kahns and Willard. Against Kalms he got the first set 8-6. and lack of sufficient practise may have accounted for the poorer showing in the

other sets. Against Willard, Seav was oniy beaten on advantage sets. Willard is placed fifth on Australia’s ranking list.

Austral’s " account of the AndrewsT\ illard match makes good descriptive reading. He says: -

"Then rainc the match of the dav, and. indeed, of the whole contest. There has not been in Sydney for many years so fine a fight. Of course, we have seen Anderson or Patterson play better tennis to win easily; but. as sportsmen, we all love a good fight, and certainly we had it. for the first seven game? Andrews fairly held command. lie won his services right up to then easily, and scored against Willard's third service. Then Willard steadied down into getting every ball back. and. making wonderful recoveries that staggered Andrews, though still playing well. So. after a tremendous tussle. Willard drew level at 5 all; but could not again win against the service till the seventeenth game. By then Andrews had had several set points; but each time Willard played with great daring, taking the net’ at acute crises, and scoring with splendid volleys made after a rush right on to the net. where he cut off drives of Andrews that would certainly have beaten his racket aside if further back. At 8-7. Andrews showed distinct signs of distress, putting his hand on his side, and his legs began to swing loose at the knees. Still. he battled on: and fought out every point with the greatest pluck and skill. Willard took the last three games of the first set by splendid all-round play, added to remarkable certainty. WILLARD TOO STRONG. “Tn the second set he ran away at once, winning against Andrews’s first and second service games; but he lost his own first service. Then he forced with more volleying, and, with a more direct attack on Andrews’s backhand, which, though not weak, has not the force of his forehand. So Willard ran to 5-3. Here Andrews gathered up his scattered forces for one more effort, and it carried him t,o 5 all, and he continued to win his own service games till the score was called 7 all. Here, once again. Willard unwound more force and skill, and ran out to win the whole match at 10-S. 9-7. If Andrews can, at twenty years of age. with scarcely any extending practice, push the runner-up for the Australian championship so close, what may he not do in a few years, if properly cultivated? He is ceratinlv the most promising colt in Australasia in style and performance.”

LINWOOD NEWS. The ladies’ handicap doubles at Linwood have now reached the semi-finals. The four pairs still in are: Misses Borrows and Spratt (owe 30). who beat. Mesdames Hastings and Bartlett, (owe 4-6). 60. 6-1;. Misses Taylor and Bradford (owe 15 4-6), who beat Misses Napier and Maeilree (owe 15 2-6). 6-4, 6-2: Misses Butters and Thomson (owe 3-6) who beat. Mrs Marker and Miss Sullivan (scr), 6-4. 4-6. 6-4; Mrs Epps and Miss Rogers (owe 5-6), who beat Mrs Christiansen and Miss Mitchell (owe 2-6), 6-8, 9-7. 6-3. In the ladies’ handicap singles, two have reached the semi-finals. They are Miss Bradford (owe 15 5-6). who beat Mrs Epps (owe 3-6), and Miss Trcthewev (scr). who beat Miss E. M. Taylor (owe 15 4-6), 9-7. Tn the draw for the championship singles (men’s), A. Dearsley meets A. L. Wood; E. W. Christiansen meets A. Spooner; J. Bayldon meets E. G. Burn; iF. O. Penfold meets C. Murley; W. Goss meets S. Jameson; S. W. Field meets E. W. Christiansen; A. Borrows meets E. 11. Orbell: W. S. Somerville meets R. 11. Tait. The contest should be an interesting one. Last year Cross and Wood fought it out. the latter winning. W. S. Somerville and Tait are newcomers to this event, and will add to the interest. Tn the ladies’ event. Miss Eva Borrows meets Miss M. Wilson, Miss A. O. Spratt meets Miss Emma Borrows, Miss L. Maeilree meets Miss S. Goss, Miss M. O’Sullivan meets Miss R. M’Le.llan. Miss E. W. Taylor meets Miss D. Robinson, Mrs E. Marker meets Miss P. Butters, Miss T. Bradford meets Miss X. M. Taylor, Mrs Bayldon meets Miss Y. Smith. AVONSIDE NOTES. Things in that part of the tennis world known as “Avonside Club” are moving along briskly and prosperously. The club’s membership is full and new members are admitted only as resignations occur. Two of the lower courts recently relaid are now playable and are a credit to the contractor. The third lower court has been top-dressed, thus the grounds are in tip-top order for the club championships, which commence immediately. The draw* is as follows: Ladies Singles Championship—Miss Morland v. Miss Thompson; Mrs Sharpe v. Miss Campbell; Miss Sowden v. Miss Dallis; Miss Angus v. Miss Spiers. Ladies’ Doubles Championship— Misses Campbell and Angus v. Misses Muirson and Sowden; Misses Sharpe and Dallis v. Mrs Sharpe and Miss Spiers. Mein’s Singles Championship—Skellerup v. Wheeley; A. B. Loughnan v. Morrison; Denton v. Ford: Loughnan v. Eaton: Moore v. Angus; Field v. Rogers: Craze a bye: Willis v. Cowper; Berry v. Wilkinson; Allison v. Glanville. Men’s Doubles Championship—Gianville and Berry v. Whitehead and Willis: Denton and Ford v. Wilkinson and Wheeler; Simons and Bowden v. Allison and partner; Angus and Moore v. Wilson and Morrison; Loughnan and Loughnan v. Eaton and Field; Jack and Hobin v. Cowper and Cowper; Skellerup and Skellerup a bye. Mixed Doubles Handicap—Miss Spiers and Field v. Miss Angus and A. B. Loughnan: Miss Muirson and Angus v. Willis and partner; Miss Sowden and Wheeley v. Miss Campbell and Hobin; Miss Ward and Ford v. Miss Guy and Glanville; Miss Leighton and Moore v. Mrs Sharpe and B. B. Loughnan: Miss Thompson and Jack a bye; Miss Dinneeombc and Cowper v. Mrs Donaldson and Berry. The committee wish it known that the first round must be completed by May 8 and the second round by May 29. otherwise the penalty of forfeiture will have to be enforced. Entrants in these competitions are advised to get their games placed off during the week, if at all possible, to avoid congestion on the courts on Saturdays. HARD COURTS. Among tennis players, and even with tennis authorities, there has been a difference of opinion as to whether it is better to play on hard or grass courts. Some years ago it was almost a sin to say that tennis could be well played on hard courts, but year by year the more conservative have had to change their opinions, and hundreds of advocates for grass courts have now declared in favour of the hard courts. When grass courts are well laid and properly looked after, although the upkeep is expensive, they arc the ideal courts to play on in fine weather, but with most clubs where there is a large membership the courts soon get beyond the groundsmen, through being overplayed upon, and then it is a case of playing on untrue courts or closing them down for a time to recover. Really good grass courts are few and far between in any country of the new or old world. In France and on the Continent generally there are nothing but hard courts, and France has provided the leading lady player of the world, besides many other fine lady players. Who would dare to say that Frenchmen of the past and present are not in the first flight? There are, in addition, many other fine Continental players. R. X. Williams, the great • United States plaj-er. learnt the game on hard courts at the. Chateau D’Oeux, and other Swiss resorts, and the United States playefrs of the Pacific coast all use hard courts. The famous William M. Johnston began to play as a boy on the cement courts of San Francisco, and he is as much at home at the present day on a hard court as on a grass one.

Tn 1923 he won the hard-court championship of the world at. Paris, and then crossed the Straits, and won the Wimbledon championship on grass. It was a quick change from hard to grass courts, which some people says is no good to a player’s game, but a chainpi oi —a real champion—does not 1/rumble about the surface that he plays upon provided it is true, for he would not have arrived in that class unless he had been able to adapt himself to the surface of the court he was called upon to play on. Strokes can be acquired on the hard courts that never come to the conserved grass court player, and players are well advised who get their experience on both makes of courts. THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST. The Davis Cup pontest has shown a slight falling-off in entries this year, but is still the second best on record. Australia, owing to lack of funds, has been compelled to stand down this year and there is little doubt that France will again be the champion nation in the European zone, unless some young English players are suddenly brought to light. Japan cannot lose- in the American zone contest, but, unless the Japanese have improved greatly, France must win when the two nations meet to decide who shall have the right to challenge the. United States, holders of the Davis Cup. Xo notice need be taken of the reetjlts of the covered court contests between France and America, when Lacoste beat. Tilden. Such results are no great guide as to what will happen when the players meet on grass courts in the open. The Frenchmen are more suited to the covered court conditions, and then it must be remembered that Tilden has always risen to the occasion when his country reouired him in Davis Cun

matches. The French team will give America a shake this rear, but no one knows better than Tilden. Johnston, and Richards what they will have to face, and the United States Association will take good care that its team shall have Ample time to prepare for the 1926 fight. France is capable of winning, and if the American players are a shade below last year’s forin then defeated they may be, but. forewarned is forearmed, and Tilden and Co. know that the Frenchmen are almost their equal, whereas last year it was the Australians that the Americans feared most. The only new entry this year is from the Philippines. ANDREWS A CHAMPION. A Wellington writer is firmly convinced that if Andrews continues his practice on hard courts during this winter he will not only acquire new shots, which he is greatly in need of, but the practice will enable him to play a much faster game next season when the grass court play opens. This applies to all members of the team, and naturally their play will be closely watched at the end of this year. Everyone expects that the experience gained by playing against the New South Wales champions should improve their allround game considerably. A ndrews, in defeating Willard, has given the best performance of his career. With two sets in he slumped in the third set, or else Willard put on extra pressure, but New Zealand’s champion, colt played brilliantly in the fourth set, and won it without, the loss of a game. To beat such a sterling performer as Willard, who is acknowledged to be in the front rank of Australian tennis, convinces one that Andrews is just the type to ri.se to the occasion and play brilliant tennis when pitted against men. of the real champion class.