LAWN TENNIS NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 70, 24 March 1937, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS NOTES

CLUBS FINALISING EVENTS By A. N. CAMPBELL. Pro.. W.L.T.A. The summer season is drawing to a close and clubs are all busy finishing off championship ana nanaieao events. The St. John’s tourney at Eastw is the last tournament in this district, and the end of April will definitely see all grass courts closed and the enthusiasts will continue on hard surfaces. Winter tennis is of great benefit to all players, particularly to those who wish to improve their game, as strokes can be practised without the intervention of matches and tournaments interfering.

Manawatu’s victory over Wanganui last Saturday was a fairly comfortable one, 16 matches to 8, but it was really a very friendly encounter and our team was without the services of Cox, Cavaye or Hay Campbell. Manawatu at present is the holder of the Christie Cup and will remain in its possession until next season. For some reason or other associations are not keen to hold this trophy as it means expense in accepting challenges and tennis associations are not wealthy bodies. • • • • A team from the St. John’s Club visited Bulls during the week-end and proved victorious after several interesting matches were played. Such friendly visits are most enjoyable and the social side of the game is enhanced. It is my opinion that more friendly visits and less serious interclub matches would produce more amiability amongst clubs, and I hope that next season clubs will arrange their fixtures accordingly. ♦ ♦ » • Our young Hunterville player “Buster” Gordon is at present in Wellington to take part in the New Zealand junior tennis championships, and we wish him luck. His game is improving rapidly with all the practice he is getting and next season he should be able to give a good account of himself. Buster is a thoroughly good sport and is not at all spoiled and this can be borne out by his attitude towards the Wanganui junior championship to be held next week. As he has secured representative honours this year Buster has decided not to contest the junior titles as he does not wish to be considered a “pot hunter.” Gordon would win the titles easily and it just shows what a thorough young sportsman he is to decide not to play. He would rather be one of a senior team than a champion of the juniors and he plays the game m the correct spirit. Other players please copy. The following good resolutions should be made by all players:— I shall pay my subscription for last summer at once and apologise to the secretary.

I shall acquaint myself with the date of the annual meeting, and put in an appearance. I shall not go in an expansive mood, ready to chat largely on every subject that arises. I shall remember that it is a business meeting and try to get things done. If elected to office I shall not think it necessary to say how little spare time I have to devote to the club, nor modestly pretend that I am unworthy of the honour. I shall not make bets with the barman at the pin table, nor challenge the hon. treasurer at darts for money. I must try to remember that the club is a respectable place. In such matters as tea money, paying for visitors, tournament fees, and other trivial financial transactions, I shall not attempt to get away with anything, but always settle promptly. After all, I wouldn’t go and pick the hon. treasurer’s pockets in the changing room, would I? (No?) I shall at all times show a tolerant, good-natured, co-operative spirit in the club and towards its members. If they invent gossip and scandal about me I shan’t retaliate by spreading outrageous tales about them. Why should I? There are plenty of other volunteers for the job. I shall not pinch the club’s balls, nor lose the soap, pull the towel off the roller, leave cigarette ends in the wash basins, nor borrow other people’s clean shirts just because somebody trod on mine on a muddy day.

I should be grateful if club secretaries handed me details of club events and other matters of interest for my notes. The season is concluding and the various club championships are of interest to all players.

The Wanganui Minor Association’s singles championships were commenced last week-end and produced a new champion in a 17-year-old boy T. Fenwicke, a member of the Wesley Club, and a newcomer to Wanganui. With J. Foster playing for Wanganui against Manawatu the favourites were Bishop and Gould (Eastern) and Foote and Mailman (Caius). Foote defeated Mailman to reach the final and Fenwicke caused the first upset by accounting for Bishop 9—5, after a very exciting game. Against Foote, Fenwicke annexed the first set 6—l and then led 4—) only to lose the advantage and trail 5—6. With a burst of sheer brilliance Fenwicke then took the remaining three games for the set and match, 7—5. In the opinion of competent observers, Fenwicke has the makings of a real champion and plays his ground strokes and vollies with ease and precision. If Fenwicke reads these notes I would be glad to see him on Thursday evening and arrange for some match for him as a try-out.

As the season draws to a close keen matches are contested both in

championship and handicap events 8t the Gonville Club. Perhaps the most interesting matches played at Gonville courts over the week-end were in the combined championship event. A real marathon was staged in the combined semi-final between last year’s winners, Naylor and Miss N. Brown, and Cook and Miss Barker. The first two sets were divided, while the third went to the 32nd game before an advantage decision was reached. Naylor an 3 Miss Brown remain in at 3 —6. 6—2, 17-15. In the other half R. Davidson and Miss K. Owen defeated Mr. an 1 Mrs. Smith-Pilling 6—2, 6—4, and they now are to play J. Meuli and Miss Higginbottom in the semi-final- - the latter pair having snatched a win from J. Fennell and Miss Peffer?, 6—l, 4—6, B—6, after being 2—5 and o—4o down in the third set. This is another example of a match being won only when the last point has been decided. In the men’s championship doubles, Davidson and Cook went very well to heat Fennell and Naylor, 6—3, 4—6, 6—2, and nbw move into the semifinal, where they meet Orr and Reynolds. Robert and Broadhead beat Craig and Meuli in the other semifinal, 6-4, 6—4. In the top section of the men’s championship singles Naylor is to play Broadhead, who has eliminated Fennell. In the lower half, N. Owen plays J. Meuli for the right to play G. Craig in the semi-final. The ladies’ championship singles A grade has also reached the semi-final stage. Miss A. Peffers, last year’s winner, is to meet Miss Mason, and Miss Barker will play Miss Anderson in the other half. It may be noted here that Miss Anderson has a particularly free style, hitting cleanly, and placing cleverly. With reasonable practice and experience this player should improve and prove not only hard to beat by her own club members, but also other club players of Wanganui. The ladies’ championshin singles B grade has been decided. Miss J. McGregor defeated Miss R. North in the final 5—6, 6—3, B—6. In the men's handicap doubles, L. Hoar and K. Hayhow (plus 30), after showing great improvement through the season, defeated Finlayson and Deere (minus 3—6) in the final, 9—2. W. Roberts (minus 15) could not make up the leeway against N. Owen (scratch) in the final of the handicap t singles. The final score favoured Owen 9—3. However, is there any player at Gonville who could beat Owen off 15—scratch on his present form? With all the events reaching the final stages, many close matches are anticipated. The end of a season is really the most interesting part of a club’s activities.

The Easter tournament being held on the St. John’s Tennis Club’s courts will be one of the city attractions over the holidays and indications from entries already to hand all point to the tournament being a successful one. The present title-holders are: Men’s championship singles. H. Cox: ladies’ championship singles, Miss Margaret Purcell; men’s championship doubles, Cox and Udy; ladies* championship doubles, Miss T. Greaves and M. Purcell: combined championship doubles, M. L. Lampe and Miss Plummer.

St. John’s this season has some very energetic workers among their members and they have done some excellent work in improving the courts and pavilion in view of the Easter tourney. The men’s dressing room has been remodelled and now has a much better accommodation for a large number. The ladies’ dressing room has been renovated and facilities have been added to make the task of the tournament committee much eas : er. Play will commence sharp at 9 a.m. and competitors are requested to rc port to the secretary immediately on arrival. The draw is to take place this evening and late entries will be received per ’phone 3266, after 7 p.m. A team of ten men and ten ladies from the St. John’s Club journeyed to Bulls on Sunday to play a return match with Bulls Tennis Club. St. John’s were the victors on this occa sion by a small margin and St. John's and Bulls have now one win each. St. John's are to be congratulated on the effort they are making in reviving the exchange of visits with other clubs as it is an excellent change from the usual grind of grade and inter-club matches. Once again players are reminded to get their entries for the St. John’s Easter tourney in now. These may be left with me at Mason Struther’s Sport Depot or with any member of the committee. • • • • The men’s singles championship of the Wanganui Club has reached a very interesting stage, Cox, Udy, Hay Campbell and Cavaye being the four semi-finalists. This event has run true to form and leaves the first four ranked players of the association to contest the title.