LAWN TENNIS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

NtWS FROM ALL THE COURTS.

*7

H. TILLMAN.

TOURNAMENT FIXTURES. New Zealand Championships—December 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 (at Auckland). North Otago Championships and Handicaps Christmas dates (at Oamaru). Marlborough Championships and Handicaps—Christmas dates (at Blenheim i. Southland Championships and Handicaps—Christmas dates (at Invercargill). M artinborough Championships and Handicaps—December 26, 27, 28, 29 (at Martinborough). Canterbury Open and Handicaps—December 25 to 31 (at Wilding Park). Poverty Bay and East Coast Championships and Handicaps—December 26. 27, 28. 29 (at Gisborne). Rotorua Club Championships and Handicaps—December 25, 26, 27 (at Rotorua). Auckland Handicaps—December 31, January 1 and 2 (at Auckland). Hastings Club Championships and Handicaps—December 26, 27, 28, 29 (at Hastings). New Zealand Championships. To-day week the New Zealand championship meeting will be in full swing. Canterbury's two best men will not be there. G. Ollivier is playing, if possible, better tennis than ever, but he has probably chosen well. I. A. Seay will need time to recover from his illness. So to C. Angas and D. F. Glanville Canterbury must look. There will be plenty of opposition for them. Bartleet and Laurenson are defending their doubles title, and will play in the singles. Two of Wellington’s “ big four ” are competing, namely, Malfrov, and A. L. France. Of other likely semifinalists Sturt, of Auckland, who is partnering Malfroy in the doubles, should do well. With the ladies Miss Speirs is likely to again have her hardest match against Miss Macfarlane. Mrs Adams, of Wellington, is competing, as also is Miss Tracy. X. X X The Christmas Tournament. Good entries have been received for

the Christmas tournament at Wilding Park. The country tournament is oft*. Only one or two country players are coming, and they have transferred their entries to the grass. Ellesmere are sending three players—T. Free, G. Leahy and I. M. Watson. Local players. P. G. Greenwood, B. B. Loughnan, A. B. Loughnan, R. Browning, L R. Crawshaw, E. Boddy. E. 11. Orbell, W. S. Somerville, D. Purvis have entered and good doubles are Goss and Greenwood. W. Somerville and Tait. Loughnan and Loughnan. Browning and Boddy. M. Somerville and Crawshaw and Orbell and Munns. The ladies are: Misses Ward. Loney, Sowden, Rankin (2), Macdonald, Reed and Mrs Ree\ es. Play starts next Wednesday at 8.30 X •> 3 H. A. Barnett. If New Zealand has anything better than 11. A. Barnett for the boys’ championship then New Zealand is fortunate and Canterbury unlucky. It is hardly likely that Barnett has an equal at his years. His play is a revelation and is faster and more matured than last year. On Tuesday night he played E. 11. Orbell. who is steadily mounting the Canterbury ladder, and took the first set 6-2. after leading 5 love. Barnett has a gift of finding the baseline. Several times during the set he put three and feven four consecutive balls within six inches of the back line. Attacked, he can half volley or toss a lob at will and still retain his command of length. And added to this i«; the ability to do the right thing at the right time. Barnett is sturdily built, fast on his feet and plays with keen concentration. He lacks mannerisms and self-conscious-

J. R. Crawshaw v. H. S. Wilkinson. A ranking match was played on Monday night between J. R. Crawshaw (challenger) and 11. S. Wilkinson. CrawJlhaw’s upward climb has so far not seen interrupted and many thought he had a long way to go before being stopped. He beat B B. Loughnan in the final of the Fendaiton championship. and has other good performance^ On Monday, however, he- lost to Wilkinson 2-6, 3-6. and taking into consideration the fact that the slow court

took the sting out of Crawshaw’s serve, it can be seen that the Fendaiton player could do with better drives, especially on his backhand. If ever a win was achieved by tactics, Wilkinson’s was. Crawshaw got the first two games with forehand cut drives. After that Wilkinson put every ball to Crawshaw’s backhand. With a captured serve, and only able to hit with the backhand, Crawshaw was forced to play a game not to his liking. He came to the net on balls that were not suitable for the purpose, and though Crawshaw did the impossible at times with wonderful volleys, yet he was playing at a big disadvantage. As the score shows Wilkinson was playing at the top of his form. He hit hard forehand and backhand, and he placed his serve with such accuracy to the corners that Crawshaw had to move each time to return it. The game was interesting though with few rallies. The luck was not with Crawshaw’. Wilkinson scored with four net cord shots. “Nets,” “Aces,” and “Outs.” Watching D. F. Glanville and B. B. Loughnan at a set, an opportunity was taken to analyse the strokes. At 7 all the game was unfinished, although Loughnan had 2 match points at 5-4 and Glanville had a chance at 6-5. At 7 all the recorder went home to tea because the last set he attempted went to 12-10. At 7 all, Glanville had served 34 times getting his first serve in on 27 occasions; Loughnan served 60 times and needed his second serve 32 times. Therefore Loughnan served 92 times to Glanville’s 41 times, or more than double. No wonder Glanville can last out five sets. Of Loughnan’s terrific services that came in Glanville returned them all but 8, and only 1 he did not get his racquet on. Glanville put the ball out 15 times and into the net 14 times, and was aced by his opponent 13 times; a toal of 42 lost points Loughnan outed 22 times and netted 16 times and was aced 7 times, a total of 45 lost points. Glanville served 1

double fault and Loughnan 3 doubles. 3 Service. What is the secret of a strong service? Watching H. G. Searle play recently and noting the ease of action and the pace of the ball, it was seen that Searle leaned well back and the ball was tossed almost overhead. In order to get the body into motion it is apparent that with the feet at rest the body must be bent well back to get the necessary impetus. Again watching 8.8. Loughnan serving, he, brings his shoulders well back, and it is this preparatory poise that enables the weight to be flung forward and the power put into the serve. At United. In the ladies’ handicap doubles, Misses Wake and Andrew (owe 30 3-6) beat Misses Dallas and Jones (owe 15). 6-o, 6-3; Misses Nichols and Macdonald (owe 4-6) beat Misses Rankin and Morland (owe 4-G), 6-4, 6-2. In the men’s doubles (A grade) Allison and Field (owe 1.5 4-6) beat lord and Connall (scr). 9-7, 6-4. In the B grade: Hutchison (owe 30) beat Ford (owe 30), 6-1, 6-1: W. Goss jr. (owe 30) beat Morrison (owe 15)' 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; Renton (owe 30) beat ITollobon (owe 15 3-6), 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 Tn the men’s doubles (B irrade) Savill and Savill (owe 15) have reached the final, beating Willis and Simons (owe 15), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. At Linwood. In. the Jameson Cup, Cant (owe 40) beat Dearsley (owe 15 3-6), 9-2. In the fourth round Cant (.cat Sowden (owe 30), 9-5. In the ladies' handicap doubles, Misses Wild and Spratt (owe 30) beat Misses Tiileyshort and Edmonds (owe 2-6), 5-6. 6-1, 6-1. In the Nicholson Trophy, Shotford (scr) beat Downing, Sen. (owe 3-6) 9-4. In the men's handicap doubles, Andrews and Powden (owe 10) beat Angas and Wilson (owe 301, 6-3, 3-1 ; Baron and Epps (owe 15) beat Richards and Stratford (scr), 6-3, 6-4. In the combined handicaps, Spratt and Miss Wilson (owe 30 26) lieat Griffiths and Miss Clarkson (owe 30), 6-4, 16, 6-5; Baron and Miss Dickson (owe 4-6), beftt Epps and Mrs Epps 1 (owe 15 26), 0-1, 5-6, 6-4.

At. Avonside. England and Adkins (owe 15 2-6) beat Roger and Sloane (scr), 9-6; Darby and Holly (owe 15 3-6), beat Mallett and Deans (owe 5-6), 9-4; Pierce and Arnold (owe 2-6) beat Hastings and Sparrow (owe 3-6), 9-2; Donaldson and Ilerdman (owe 5-6) beat Abbott and Owers (scr). 9-2. In the semi-final Pierce and Arnold beat Donaldson and Ilerdman, 9-2. Notes. C. Morrison and Miss K. Esson won the annual tournament of the Union Bank of Australia.. Wild and Miss Mayo won the Yankee tournament at Linwood on Saturday, with Downing, sen., and Miss Tilleyshort runners-up. I-; :: At the Boys’ High School, N. Mansfield beat M. A. Rickard, 6-3, 6-4, in the final of the junior championship. X » X St Stephen’s put up a good performance in the recent Junior A competition. They only had one defeat and that was to the winners. w The first suburban ranking match to be played resulted in J. M’Millan (St Paul’s) beating A. Mercer (Riccarton), 5- 6-3, 6-3. Mercer led 3-love in each of the last two sets, but could not hold the advantage. Mrs Godfree, England's great lady player, appears to have recovered from her ill-health of the last two seasons. In the covered courts championship of Queen's Club she beat L. Covell, 6-2, 6- and in the final beat Mrs Bennett, 6-1, 6-2. Woolston Club has just finished the men’s singles championship. The new champion is G. Powley. In the semifinal he beat J. O'Malley, 9-6, and W. Hawkins beat J. Arnold by the same score. In the final Powley, hitting hard, beat Hawkins, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Powley has a splendid serve, coming off the court with a great “ kick ” and pace.

Wellington got two surprises on a recent Saturday. In the inter-club matches N. C. R. Wilson was beaten by T. Rhodes Williams, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, and Miss E. Travers beat Miss M. Tracy, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Miss Tracy is the holder of the national ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles championship, and to be beaten by Miss Travers, who humorously calls herself a “ has been,” astonished the critics. Miss Travers won the New Zealand ladies’ singles about eighteen years ago. X X X At Fendaiton. Men’s Handicap Singles. Recent matches: —(Second round) J. R. Crawshaw (owe 40) beat F. O. Dawson (rec. 15 3-6), 6-1, 6-0; J. L. Partridge beat G. 11. Ililson by default. Third round —L. S. Jewell (owe 1-6 15) beat L. B. Stevens (scr), 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. Men’s Handicap Doubles. Second round—L. W. Penrose and J. L. Partridge (owe 1-6 15) beat N. Stouppe and N. Suckling (reci 4-6 15), 8- 2-6, 6-4. Mixed Doubles Handicap. First, round—J. W. Fisher and Miss Rudkin (owe 4-6 15) beat J. R. Crawshaw and Mrs Crawshaw (owe 40), 6-3, 6.0. Second round—J. W. Fisher and Miss Rudkin (owe 4-6 15) beaat D. M. Lusk and Miss Dallas (owe 3-6 15), 5-7, 64, 6-4; E. W. England and Miss I. Deal (rec. 3-6 15) beat F. O. Dawson and Miss Dawson (rec. 15), 64, 6-3. X X X At Cathedral. Concluding games of last year's tournament:— Miss Nora Mahoney and Miss Irene Poole won the ladies’ handicap doubles. In the men’s doubles J. O’Malley and J. Carey were successful. In the combined doubles J. O'Malley and Miss E. Shamy won. The prizes were presented at a dance last Thursday. The president, the Rev Father M’Quire, made the presentation. tie said that the A team had a good chance in the suburban competition, and the B and C teams would win more games than they lost. The club was showing the right spirit in catering for the younger players. A good start has been made in this year’s club events. In the men’s handicap doubles results are:—First round: Hickey and M. Noonan beat Gillespie and Pender, J. O’Malley and Dobbs beat Davey and P. Noonan; Flood and Ryan won by default, L. O’Malley ar.d Carey beat O. Brien and Butcher. Second round: O’Malley and Carey beat Flood and Ryan, Corbett and Smith beat Welsh and Holland, .1. O’Malley and Dobbs beat Hickey and M. Noonan, Daly and M’Menamin beat Mahoney and Slattery. In the combined doubles Carey and Miss C. O’Malley beat Galvin and Miss C. Shamy, L. O’Malley and Miss I. lianrahan beat M. Noonan and Miss G. Smith, Mahoney and Miss Hampton beat Dobbs and Miss Brittenden, C. Smith and Miss V. Flood beat Holland and Miss I. O’Malley, jun, Corbett and Miss F. Smith beat Welsh and Miss Grimes. The club has two players this year who are showing improved form. C. Smith is a young player, and in this, his second, year he has worked up from the bottom to seventh position. The other is Miss A. Hampton, who is improving every match, and is now ninth on the ladies’ ladder. At Wesley. In the championships Taylor beat Aris 6-1, 6-3; K. Neale beat Boyd 6-3, 6-1; Jolley beat Scrimshaw 7-5, 3-6, 6-4; Willis beat Pankhurst 6-2, 7-5; Jewiss beat Shennan 6-1, 6-3; Woodham beat Le Brun 6-3, 6-1 ; Ogier beat Phillips 6-2, 6-2; C. Poynter beat Anglesey 6-0, 6-1. In the handicaps Woodham (15 1-6) beat Aris (owe 4-6) 9-8; Jones (owe 30) beat Wilson (owe (4-6) ; Claridge (owe 4-6) beat Boyd (owe 15) 9-7; Paynter (owe 30 3-6) beat Jolly (owe 15) 9-7; Phillips (owe 2-6) beat Neale (owe 30) 9- Geddes (owe 30) beat Roberts (owe 15) 9-2; (owe 4-6) beat Shennan (owe 15 1-6) 9-7; Taylor (owe 30) beat Le Brun (owe 15) 9-6; R. Wilson (owe 15 3-6) beat T. Phillips (owe 4-6) 9-7; Bedwell (owe 15 1-6) beat Pankhurst (owe 15) 9-3; Ogier (owe 40) beat Baynes (owe 15 3-6) 9-7; Jewiss (owe 30 3-6) beat Clayton (owe 30 3-6) 9-7; M. Paynter (owe 4-6) beat Gandell (owe 2-6) 9-4. In the doubles Jones and Taylor (owe 30 1-6) beat Phillips and Pankhurst (owe 4-6) 9-3; Scofield and Le Brun (owe 5-G) beat Roberts and Claridge (owe 4-6) 9-7; Ogier and Scrimshaw (owe 40) beat Baynes and Willis (owe 15) 9-6; Woodham and Shennan (owe 15 2-6) beat Wilson and Paynter (owe 3-6) 9-5; Bedwell and Wilson (owe 15 4-6) beat Clayton and Lohrey (owe 15 1-6) 9-7; Queree and Currie (owe 2-6) beat Bailey and Fraser (owe 2-6) 94. Suburban Competition. The No. 1 section, after a run of wet Saturdays, struck a fine day on Saturday after a most unpromising week. __ , Cathedral had no difficulty in beating T j Whaka. J. Mercer is now first on the Cathedral ladder, justifying his place on the. suburban ladder by defeating J. O'Malley 9-6. On Saturday he beat Stephens 9-3. This is the young Te Whaka player’s last game for the club, as he has been transferred to Wellington.

Edgeware gave Riccarton a good fight. It was anybody’s game all through and Edgeware, nltbqugh win-

ling nine matches to seven, yet lost :>y three games. It appears as though t would do no harm to re-cast the ;üburban ladder. A. Petersen beat P. i r esty 9-8, and is well known as equal ;o the best of any in the suburban competition, yet he is not on the rankng list. L. Armstrong, who beat F. Schmidt 9-7, is not so well known, but le is a young player who will take a ot of stopping in the championships. He has a splendid forehand drive and bis backhand is very safe.

Another reason for altering the ladder is the injustice to G. Pierce. Pierce is a hard man to beat. He beat J. M’Millan, of St Paul’s, who is above him on the ladder, rather easily on Saturday. Pierce should be higher. In the same match, Miss Hookham, first player for St Paul’s, showed tennis that entitles her to a place on the ladder. It is understood that Miss Bolton is withdrawing her name, and that will leave a position vacant for someone. Woolston played two new ladies against St Paul’s: Mrs Fuller, who used to play for Halswell, and Mrs Gatehouse, who last played for Linwood. Mrs Fuller played a nice game and Mrs Gatehouse showed promise of improved play. She had not played much in recent years. In the other section a postponed match was played between Spreydon and Hornby, and Spreydon were hard pushed to win. M'Keown and M’Leod w’ere back again and made all the difference. M’Keown won 94, but Silvester got six games against M’Leod. Miss Bloor beat Mrs Spicer 6-5, which is just about the difference.

St Stephen’s team w’ill be runners-up in the junior A, their only loss being to Linwood, after a close game. Their men’s team proved particularly strong, two of them not losing a match and one losing only one. Had their ladies’ team been a little stronger, they would probably have gone through undefeated, and for such a small club the result is very satisfactory.