TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 301, 21 December 1933, Page 4

TENNIS

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"HALF FOLLEY

Keen interest is being shown in the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association’s New Year tournament and an energetic canvass of the city clubs should result in strong patronage from local enthusiasts. There is nothing like tournament tennis to improve one’s game and players are strongly advised to bear this in mind, and further, to act upon it. Tournament dates are January 1,2, 3, and 4. Local players are asked to assist by sending in their entries without delay. There is a considerable amount of detail work to be done before the committee can proceed with the draw. When You Arrive. Upon arriving at the courts on the opening morning of the tournament, the first thing to do is to sign the attendance sheet. This, of course, applies to every morning as well. Having thus notified your presence, you can do as you wish providing that you do not get out of range of the announcer’s voice. Shortly after the starting time of the tournament there are sure to be a few open singles matches played. It is advantageous to choose the most attractive match and watch it through. You will learn much by just keeping to the courts, meeting the players. Quite early you will probably be requested to umpire a match, and this offer should be welcomed. It is onlv a fair thing to do a turn at umpiring for it is well to remember that someone has to umpire for you each time you play. Apart from this, it much relieves the work of the committee of a tournament when they can find plenty of volunteers to take matches, and not have to become stern and rely on il pressed men.” Another fact is that on the umpire’s ladder one learns a great deal of the finer points of the game. From the vantage point of the steps the schemes of each side can be seen. Their angling, their length and positioning. All this is very good food for thought, for there are sure to be some points to remember which can probably be applied with benefit to our game. Duties of Umpires. All umpires make mistakes. At an ordinary tournament there is hardly a match played without a miss-call of the score, or a wrong decision, so you need not be ashamed if your efforts are not perfection. Remember this: You are in charge of the game. If you miscall the score you must rectify it. When, however, in your opinion a ball is either on the line or just outside it, you must stick to your opinion and call the score accordingly. When anything at all happens that definitely interferes with the play on either side, do not hesitate a “let.” As examples, a ball from another court bouncing across your own court during play; a player from another court returning a ball from an acute angle and baulking one of the players of your game. Do not under any circumstances allow a “let” for a ‘‘doubtful” ball, which may or may not have been just on t-he edge of the line. That is what you are for, to decide which it was. You will find umpiring very interesting, instructive and socially pleasant, for players who consider the pleasure of others, become very popular very quickly. Wanganui Club. The continued spell of fine weather came to an end on Sunday afternoon when rain intervened to cut short play in the Feilding v. Wanganui inter-club match. Although Feilding were considerably weakened by the absence of three or four of their star players, the remainder fully sustained the reputation of their club. The top single— Earle v. Boddy, provided an interesting encounter, and Earle showed good form for so early in the season. The constant play which the fine weather has allowed has not been of benefit to all. Two of the club’s keenest members in Dr. Hutchison and E. Cutfield have developed that mysterious and painful complain known as ‘tennis elbow.” As rest is the only kncT/n cure these two players have been compelled to give up tennis for the rest of the season. Everybody joins in wishing them a speedy recovery. The handicap events are now well forward and are in a position to be completed early in February given a reasonable run of fine weather. Aided perhaps by a little pushing from the committee, members are showing a commendable zeal for playing their matches. In the men’s handicap singles R. Perkins and N. B. Barkman are in the semi-finals. As there was an entry of just on fifty in this event the progress made is quite phenomenal.