LAWN TENNIS

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1681, 3 November 1925, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

IVOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By " Side-line.")

A handicap tournament has been begun, and most of rhe first-round games have been played during the last week. Some good matches have resulted, and in many cases the scores were very even.

In the men's singles Walsh (owe 15) eliminated M. Otway (owe 40). The score of 11—5 Was rather a large margin, and was a surprise to many. Otway did not appear to produce anything like the tennis of which he is capable, but at the same time I must give Walsh full credit for his win, as he gave a good display of all-round tennis and kept the pressure up till the end. I venture to predict that on his handicap this player will be hard to beat.

Another interesting match played on Saturday was that between D. Williams (owe 30) and L. Shepherd (owe 15). A feature of this match wa9 the steadiness of Shepherd,, who finally wore down his opponent. Williams was driving well, especially on his forehand, but Shepherd played the drives back so consistently that he drove Williams into errors. The latter made a great bid for victory when the score stood at 10—'6 against him. He evened to 10 all, only to have Shepherd win the final game on his own service. Winter (owe 40) and Preston (owe 15 4-6) was a long match in which Preston kept his opponent on the rutf continually. Preston is a. very active player, and it is remarkable the number of sho'ts which he returns. If he had a few more killing shots he would be a very hard player to beat, and it was mainly in this respect that Winter beat him. They would have a rally oil several strokes which Winter would often finish off with a volley or a smash. It was due to this and to match experience that Winter was able to run out a w,inner by 11—7. MEN'S DOUBLES. Otway and Williams played faultless tennis against J. Coyne and Walker, who never .had a chance from the beginning. Williams in particular was playing very well, and their big margin of victorv is largely due to him. LADIES' SINGLES.

All the back markers, with the exception of Mrs Coyne who has not yet played have survived the first round. Miss Irwin (owe 40) defeated Miss Z. Thomas (receive 2-6 15) by a comfortable margin. Miss Irwin is playing at the top of her form and will take a lot of stopping. Mrs Teasdale (owe 30 3-6) defeated Miss H. Civil (owe 15) after an even match, in which Mrs Teasdale won by her strong driving, combined with experience. Mrs Tims (owe 30 '3-6) defeated Mrs Mizen (owe 30); Mrs Tims was too steady for Mrs Mizen, who appeared to be slightly off her game. Mrs McDonald (owe 15 4-6) was too steady for Miss Houston, whom she beat 9—4 after the games had read 4 all.

. Among the junior ladies Miss V. Noonan is through her rounds, defeating Miss Lord, who had previously beaten Miss O. Crawford. Miss "B. Walter was too good for Miss E. Peake, whom she beat by a comfortable margin. The former plays aggressive tennis, and often sends over some beautiful backhand drives. Miss K. Woolly had a comfortable win over Miss L. Storey, and on a scratch handicap it looks as though she should take some beating. The competitions will be continued during the next few weeks, when the finals will be reached.