LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 243, 13 October 1937, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

WANGANUI EAST GRASS COURTS OPEN (By A. N. Campbell.) Although heavy rain on Saturday prevented play on the Wanganui East Club's grass courts, the official opening took place in the afternoon. The courts presented a very fine appearance as did the surrounding grounds and gardens and there probably are very few clubs in New Zealand that possess such ideal grass. With a large modern clubhouse this club could outrival most. Nearly 40 members were present at the opening ceremony and enjoyed afternoon tea, and tennis was reduced to reminiscences and keen anticipation for the coming season. On Sunday afternoon, however, tennis was indulged in by members and a large number of visitors, and the courts, I was told, played remarkably well.

Last wek I congratulated the Wan- > ganui Club upon its foresight in in- A troducing a combined subscription married couples, but I am informed that Wanganui East has had this subscription in vogue for some years.

I saw by Monday's “Chronicle” that some local croquet fans have suggesv cd that New Zealand’s Bureau ol Sport do something to remove the duly oil! “croquet mallets, hoops and nets." Nets, if they are cricket or tennis nets and other similar varieties, are already, duty free, and I should very much like to see the duty come olf all sporting equipment. Sport is expensive, but if it were not it would not be worth while striving foi. croquet players, I should imagine obtain their sport fairly cheaply as it is not necessary to purchase new mallets every season and balls and hoops are part of the club equipment. Tennis players and golfers have to pay the most both for equipment, upkeep and subscriptions. Rowing clubs, football clubs and cricket clubs have fairly reasonable subscriptions but in the case of footballers and oarsmen, wear and tear on clothes and inch dentals contribute towards the pense. Bowlers used to have the* monopoly in cheapness as I was always to understand that some of the fraternity wore their old garden clothes for bowls when they had outlived their usefulness in the cabbage patch. Now, however, the bowler is spick and span in immaculate cream and coloured blazer and, in consequence, the cost of his game has increased. Cheap sport for. all sounds well, but would we all appreciate it,? I do not think so. We shall have to wait and see what the Bureau of Sport can do. St. John's Club is entering upon a very successful season. Club membership has improved by leaps and bounds and enthusiasm is unabated. A pleasing factor is the manner in which beginners are being assisted by the help of players, and the matches for the buttons are creating a great deal of interest. The Wanganui junior championships commence next Saturday on the courts of the Technical College, Girls’ College, St. John’s Tennis Club and T Wanganui East School. Entries are ’ very good, but unfortunately the short school year has made it impossible to receive any nominations from Nga Tawa, Marton. The boys’ section is greatly strengthened by the addition of boys from the Marist Bros.’ School, and the Girls’ College entry is a large one. A common fault amongst players is the habit of leaning back when playing a forehand or backhand drive. The reason for it is that the player is not ready soon enough and cannot step into the shot. The racket is taken back at the last moment and a flurried stroke is the result with the player leaning well back. There is no excuse for this bad shot, for as soon

as the player can judge cn what wing the ball will come that is the time to slowly swing the racket back and prepare for the forward movement.