LAWN TENNIS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18897, 23 October 1929, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS

NEWS FROM ALL THE COURTS.

By

H- TILLMAN.

Senior Competition. Mr R. Browning, secretary of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, made inquiries from the secretaries of the leading clubs as to the wishes of players for this year’s senior competition, whether it should be a men’s competition or whether it should be a combined one. The opinion was almost unanimous in favour of the competition being confined to men, but at a subsequent roeetinig of the Match Committee it was felt that, as a motion had been adopted by the association in favour of teams of four men and four ladies, a formal call for entries for combined teams should be sent out, and if there are not sufficient entries then the competition will be for men’s teams. Entries close for the combined teams on Tuesday next, October 29. Advice for Doubles Play. A well-known player says that Canterbury tries to play its doubles the same as it does its singles. This is a mistake. The biggest asset to doubles play, he says, is a strong service, and therefore the next most important stroke in doubles is the return of service. Concentrate on putting the ball back over the net, he argues. Keep the ball in play. During a rally, keep the ball reasonably close to the man at the net, not too close. This means, play the centre court. There is only one place for the ball in doubles, this player considers, and that is down the middle of the court. Two other points are put forward—to play the short ball at all times, alow and short. The shorter the better. The other is to play with a friend, one who will love you if you serve many doubles, who will keep cheerful even if you run into a succession of punk smashes. Once you have gained confidence in each other’s play, and can believe the other is an unrecognised genius, then you will begin to win. «*• 22 22 The New Zealand Championship. In fixing the date of the New Zealand championships for February 27, the New Zealand association have given the Wellington association time to get the necessary grandstand erected. A tournament held at Miramar will not be a popular one, but the Wellington association deserve some encouragement. It has been an uphill fight to finance their big scheme, and if they can get a good gate, or even put Miramar on the map, no one will growl very much. The lateness of the date, and the fact that there is no public holiday, will be a handicap in getting the public out there. Wellington, unlike Christchurch, have not a sure gallery. This tournament will be the first national championship held in Wellington for a great number of years. The Lob. Among the young players of to-day, the lob is despised. Someone started a slogan, “ Speed, and yet more speed,” and there are a lot of promising players wasting their time trying to knock the cover off the ball. Perhaps, after reading a description of Tilden’s defeat of Borotra in the final of this year’s Davis Cup, opinions' will differ. Borotra is the world’s champion killer of lobs, yet Tilden set out to beat the Frenchman with lobs, first a short ball and then a lob, and it was soon apparent that Borotra was in form. Every Ball Tilden tossed, Borotra put away. Still the American persevered. He lobbed 'the Frenchman to death. First Borotra p"t an odd one into the net, and then the proportion of misses grew till Tilden got the lead. Geoff. Ollivier has a theory t>f never playing to weakness. He says that a man should recognise an opponent’s weak point, but should only play to it when a vital point is needed. The exNew Zealand champion considers that to play, say, to a weak backhand is likely to strengthen it. Something of the same line of reasoning can be seen in Tilden's tactics. Borotra could put

away an occasional smash with perfect surety, but when he got lob after lob to deal with, ho doubt he felt the strain. ♦.* «.* This theory would not hold with all strokes. A player who put over easy balls to Goss’s forehand in the hope that Goss would get tired at putting away the winners would be disappointed. But where the theory does hold is that the lob. is one of the most important strokes in the game. Tilden once said, “ The man who cannot lob, cannot play.” and in his last appearance in Davis Cup tennis he proved that he, at least, could play it. Matches Against West Coast. It seems quite likely that when the West Coast Tennis Association meets an invitation will be extended to the Suburban Match Committee to send a team to the Coast. A report of the annual meeting of suburban delegates containing the discussion on a suggested visit was read at a subsequent meeting of the Greymouth Club, and a motion was put that a team should be invited, the ladies of the party to be billeted, and the men to pay their board. The motion was rejected in favour of one for the billeting of both men and ladies. From this it will be seen that a sure welcome will come from Greymouth. The West Coast Association comprises four main districts, Westport, Reefton, Greymouth. and Hokitika, and through the courtesy of Mr F. Dennehy, the matter will be brought before the next meeting of the association. South Brighton Club. South Brighten have a live progress • league. How shall South Brighton progress, they asked themselves? How shall we put it on the map? What is the true test of civilisation? How shall we prove to the world that South Brighton is not a wilderness of sandhills? The answer was: Form a tennis club, and forming one. South Brighton ’ can take its place in the world. The South Brighton Progress League organised a fete and raised £SO. This 1 was the start of their club and the > new court (never yet played on) will ' be opened on Labour Day by the 1 Mayor of Brighton, and Mr D. G. Sul- t livan, M.P. Other notables will be there, including a team of our leading t players who will give an exhibition ( game. Mr R. Browning is arranging a c team of four which will probably in- t elude Mr G. Ollivier. Junior Yankee Tournament. ■ The biggest junior tournament ever 1 held in Christchurch will make a start f next Saturday week at 9 a.m. at Wild- ] ing Park. The matches may continue each Saturday morning till next Easter. Entries close with Mr R. Carter. Haw- f thorne, Papanui, or care of Technical ( School. Late entries will be received < to-day week, Wednesda}*, October 30. t at Wilding Park. The tournament will be open to any- 1 one, boy or girl, under eighteen years of ] age. There is a single event for both ( boys and girls, boys’ doubles, girls’ doubles, and combined doubles. They ;

will all be played after the style of Yankee tournaments with each player and each pair meeting each other player and pair. The singles will be handicapped but the doubles will be open and the winners found from those who win the most games during the series.

This tournament should be a great success and the reproach that Wilding Park is not being used will be removed. It is practically certain that at least 80 players will compete. Tennis masters should see that their schools are represented. 22 22 22 Junior Ranking List.

Mr J. Longton, in conjunction with Miss Lonev, is getting out the girls’ ranking list. The request for such a ladder came from the New Zealand Association. The idea is a good one and will enable singles matches to be plaved at Wilding Park by the children. The bo vs’ ladder will be issued next by Mr Longton. The girls’ list will have 24 to 36 names, and the boys’ will have about 24.

Mr Longton has chosen the two boys who will be entitled to the bursaries of free membership of the Edgeware Club. They are R. Shillito, Derby Street, St Albans, and G. D. Rich, Papanui Road. G. Rich, Mr Longton considers, is one of the most promising plavere he has seen. His backhand, forehand and service are all beautiful strokes. ' Primary Schools Competition. Mr J. R. Sinclair sent out invitations to twenty-eight schools to take part in the primary schools competition, but only seven schools have entered. They are: Elmwood (winners in 1928), North Beach (last year's winners), East Christchurch. Fendalton, Bur wood, St Albans and Brighton. The first round took place on Monday and Elmwood beat last year’s winners after an exciting finish. The girls saved Elmwood, who won . three of their singles. Still North Beach had a great chance when R. Bell went on to play J. Rich. Bell has seldom been beaten by Rich, but Rich, to everybody’s surprise, won 6-3. The following are the details of two of the three matches. In the third East Christchurch beat Fendalton. ELMWOOD v. NORTH BEACH. (North Beach names first.) Boys’ Singles.—R. Bell 3, J. Rich 6; A. Beaton 6, G. Green 1; D. Meaer 6, R. Blake 2; G. Passmore 6, J. Dowell 4. Boys’ Doubles.—Bell and Passmore 9, Rich and Green 8; Meaer and Beaton 9, Blake- and Dowell 4. Girls’ Singles.—M. Cramp 3, L. Airey 6; R. Uren 6, B. Harrison 2; M. Brown 1, B. Burgess 6; S. Marriott 3. M. Hardy 6. Girls’ Doubles.—Cramp and Marriott 3, Airev and Harrison 9; Brown and Uren 2. Burgess and Hardy 9. North Beach 58, Elmwood 63. ST ALBANS r. BURWOOD. (St Albans names first.) Boys’ Singles.—L. French 6, C. Mortibov 3; D. Lamberton' 6, J. Peters 1; E. M’Kay 6. F. Ullrich 1; H. Prescott 2, C. Kerr 6. Boys’ Doubles.—French and Lamberton 9, Mortiboy anrl Peters 0: M’Kay and Prescott 9, Allrich and Kerr S. Girls’ Singles.—T. Fisher 3, F. Sowden 6; M. Richardson 6, M. Stevenson 1; J. Morten Smith 6, C. Sowden 2; E. Baynes 6, M. Ullrich 1. Girls’ Doubles.—Fisher and Richardson 9, F. Sowden and Stevenson 2: Morten Smith and Baynes 3, C. Sowden and M. Ullrich 0. St Albans 77, Burwood 31. NOTES. Mr P. R. Harman has been elected chairman of the Match Committee of the Canterbury Association for a further term. Mr Harman has held this position now for several years, and is well placed. 22 22 22 One of our leading players previously looked upon as a confirmed bachelor, is taking unto himself a wife shortly. W. J. Deans, a well-known Avonside player, and runner-up for the club’s junior championship, married into a well-known tennis family on Monday. The* bride was the younger daughter of Mr and Mrs Angas.

It is the business girl who is playing tennis. Of those who are taking Mr C. Webb’s coaching lessons at Linwood, fifteen haxe booked for the 5.30 p.m. to G p.m. session, and only four for the earlier sessions. 2i x a K. J. Walker will be playing again: this season, but not till after Christmas. This brilliant player missed last season owing to an injured shoulder, but he is reported to be in form again. The West Coast championships will commence at Reefton on January 29. They will be in charge of Mr P. Instone, who, off the court, is manager of the Bank of New Zealand there. Mr Instone is brother to Mr 11. Instone, the well-known United player, and, like him, is a great tennis enthusiast. In a letter sent to Christchurch, Mr Instone welcomed the idea of a visit from Suburban players, and looks forward to their competing in the championships. C. Angas has paired up with T. Rhodes-Williams for the doubles ranking list. Rhodes-Williams. compared with his singles form, is rather weak in his doubles play, but they will be hard to beat. For the Canterbury championships, which will be hedd most probably at Christmas, Boddy is coming to Christchurch. Angas and Boddy will defend their titles. In the New Zealand championships. Angas is playing with N. Sturt, the Aucklander. They will take some beating. The writer always considered that Knott was the weaker member of that great doubles combination, Sturt and Knott. A great battle was seen at the Avonside courts when D. Purvis met D. F. Glanville in the semi-final of the singles championship. For years Glanville held undisputed sway at Avonside and even D. France could not take the honour, but last year Angas won and this year Purvis put Glanville out after a splendid match. Either Purvis has improved out ofj all knowledge or else he produced a I

game out of the box. In the combined final with Miss Speirs against Glanville and Mrs Beale, Purvis played a great net game, but such is the prestige of Miss Speirs that everybody gave her credit for the win. Against Glanville, Purvis came to net and brought off a wonderful succession of masterly volleys and powerful smashes. Some of his recoveries were astounding. Know-, ing Glanville’s accuracy at passing shots and his unequalled ability at finding the backline with a lob, one can ap-. preciate the merit of Purvis’s game. The first set went to Purvis, 6-4 and the ne>ct Glanville got 6-0. It is doubtful if Purvis tried hard for this after Glanville got a lead, but to those looking on it looked as if Glanville would win easily. _ Perhaps Glanville thought so too, for in the next set Purvis soon ran into a “4 love” lead. Glanville was now fighting and took two games. At 5-2 Purvis had match point three times and each time Glanville saved. However, the next time Purvis ran Out.

In suburban ranking matches, R. Roberts beat G. Pierce, 6-4, 6-3. There was little between them, but Roberts was too solid. Towards the finish, Roberts increased the speed and got in some good drives. Roberts has challenged F. O. Schmidt. D. Silvester has challenged C. Stewart. H. Tillman is playing H. Ogier this week. J. W. Arnold has challenged J. O’Malley. W. Hawkins has challenged G. Powlay. G. Pierce has challenged A. Petersen. Among the ladies. Miss Hookham has j challenged Miss Williamson and Miss V. Flood has challenged Mrs Forgie. At the last week-end a party comprising Messrs G. Ollivier, C. Angas, T. Rhodes-Williams and 11. Dvmond paid a visit to the Waihora Club, Motukarara. Mr C. Miller arranged for the reception of the visitors and Mr C. Angas for the team at this end. The Waihora Club is little known, but they have two excellent courts, sheltered from every wind that blows, and a fine pavilion. The city players split up with the local talent and some enjoyable games were played. The Waihora Club, as is the fashion for country clubs, put on a wonderful luncheon and afternoon tea. Pleasure at the visit was expressed by Mr Miller. Mr G. Ollivier replied. Opawa Club. On Thursday a senior match was played at Cashmere between Opawa A and Cashmere A. Opawa winning by two games. Those playing were: Opawa —Miss May Andrew, Miss Reed. Mrs M’Ewan, Mrs Forgie, Mrs Balfour and Miss Dixon. Cashmere—Miss Esther Johnstone, Mrs van Asch, Miss Bowron, Miss Clarke, Mrs Freeman and Mrs Charters. On Friday a B match was held at Elmwood between the Opawa B team and Elmwood, Opawa winning by 14 games. Those playing were: Opawa— Mesdames Forgie, Balfour, Bradford, Morgan. Lucas, Thompson, L. Erwin and the Misses Fraser, Wilson, E. Holdsworth : for Elmwood—Mesdames Burrell, Xorrie. Grant Chapman and Owen and the Misses ITookham, Travers. Webb, Hargreaves and Chamberlain. The junior A team had a narrow loss on Saturday by five games to Addington. 55 Next Wednesday’s special tennis article will be by Nigel Sharpe on “Foundation Strokes of the Game.’