LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 56, 8 March 1939, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

RESIDENTIAL CHAMPIONS BEATEN NOTES AND COMMENTS (By A. N. Campbell). A feature of week-end matches was the defeat of the residential champions, Neil Hay-Campbell and Miss Mavis Clark in the Wanganui and StJohn's Clubs championship by C. Fenwick and Mrs. D. Evans respectively. St. John's Club was also successful in accounting for the Wanganui No. 2 team in the A grade inter-club match. C. Fenwick entered the finals of the Wanganui Club championship singles, and his tennis was perfect when he defeated Hay-Campbell. He drove, served, volleyed and smashed just like a machine and could not have gone wrong if he tried. HayCampbell, on the other hand, in all fairness to him, has rarely played worse. He could not stroke cleanly, his volleying and overhead was erratic, and his service lacked sting. The only thing that remained was his sporting attitude during the game, and he did not make any excuses for his defeat. He and Fenwick have met three times this season, and on the previous two occasions he beat Fenwick after three seis of gruelling tennis. If Hay-Campbell had been playing his best, it woutfl have been a great game. Playing listlessly and netting frequently, Miss Mavis Clark was beaten by Mrs. D. Evans in the St. John’s Club title in straight sets. Mrs. Evans played good tennis, driving accurately and with plenty of pace, and did not allow Miss Clark to settle down at all. Both of these players could add pace to their shots with advantage to their game, as they play too much the stonewalling type of tennis.

M. L. Lampe had his work cut. out to defeat M. Adamson in the St. John's semi-finals, and lost one set 0-6. Adamson has greatly improved his game recently, due a great deal to tournament play and winter practice. M. Rountree accounted for F. Thompson and R. Hoskin to enter the final, which will be decided between he and M. L. Lampe. This should be a good game to witness, and Lampe is always hard to beat on his own courts. The St. John's Club has issued its programme for the Easter tourney and players could do no better than to enter early. Easter Friday is on April 7, and the tournament commences on that day and concludes on Easter Monday. Seven asphalt courts will be in use and the usual championship and handicap events will be decided. Entries close on April 5. Next Saturday will, be a gala day at the Wanganui East Tennis Club, where a Yankee tournament and garden party will be held in aid of the club and the Rowing Association funds. An entry fee of Is will be charged and balls will be provided. This is a worthy cause and one that could be well supported by all tennis players. On Saturday the annual representative match will be played against Manawatu at Palmerston North- The

Wanganui team is to be weaker than anticipated I believe, owing to some of the players not being able to make the trip. • * • * Tennis clubs have not patronised lately as most players have been attracted to the beaches. This attitude I cannot quite understand. Early and in the middle of the season attendances were poor owing to windy and unpleasant conditions, and noM' that the weather is settled they sa.v it is too hot for play. When the courui are closed for Hie season the usual cry will be raised by many that they did not get their season's value out of their subscriptions. We in Wanganui have too many attractions against i our tennis. If we were an inland J town tennis players would confine - themselves to tennis, but as it is we I have beaches, the river, Taupo and I the Chateau very close. Many tennis players, I will not say enthusiasts, endeavour to participate in too many sports, and the result is lack of keenness and mediocrity in all.