LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17898, 19 December 1929, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

WAIKATO E. ASSOCIATION.

OKOROIRE v. TIRAU. The following match was played between Okoroire A grade and Tirau A grade. The scores were, Tirau players mentioned first:— Men’s Singles.—Hawes v. A. Brown, 6 —9; Bragg and G. Brown, 9.7; Phillips v. B. Brown, 9—3; A. Gray v. H. Goodwin, 9—o. Men’s Doubles.—Hawes and Bragg v. A. and E. Brown, 5 —9; Neill and Campbell v. Gavin and Goodwin, 9 —S; Phillips and Gray v. G. Brown and B. Gavin, 9—3. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Clarke v. Miss Dee, 6—2. Combined Doubles. —Hawes and Mrs Bonner v. Miss Dee and A. Brown, 6—3; Bragg and Miss Clarke v. LBrown and Miss Goodwin, 6—i : Phillips and Mrs Craig v. Soinrnerville and Miss J. Dee. 6 —3. Totals. —Tirau, 9 matches, 80 games; ukoroir#, 2 matches, 53 games.

B GRADE [WATCH. The B game between Okoroire and Tirau, played at Okoroire, resulted as follows, okoroire names being mentioned first:—Men's singles. —L. "rown v. Harrison, 3—9; B. Brown v. Stewart, 7—9 ; T. Goodwin v. Campbell, 3 —9; E. Brown v. Maxwell, 9 —2: T. Harwood v. Neill, o—9;0 —9; Sommcrville v. Strong, 5—9.. Men’s Doubles. —L and B. Brown v. Harrison and Phillips, 3 —9; Goodwin and E. Brown v. Stewart and Campbell, 4—9; Harwood and Soinrnerville v. Neill and Strong, 2 —9. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Stanncll v. Mrs Craig, 6—2: Mrs Hancock v. Mrs Cray, i—6; Miss Taylor v. Miss Harrison, I—6; Miss Harwood 'v. Miss Shaw, 4 —6. Ladies’ Doubles. —Miss Starfnell and Mrs Hancock v. Mrs Craig and Miss Harrison, 3 —5; Miss Taylor and ’.Miss Harwood v. Mrs Gray and Miss Shaw, o—6. Combined Doubles. —L. Brown and Miss Stanncll v. Harrison and Mrs Grav, 6—2; B. Brown and Mrs Hancock’v. Stewart and Mrs Gray, I—6; J. Goodwin and Miss Taylor v. Neill and Miss Harrison, I—6; E. Brown and Miss Harwood v. Campbell and Miss Shaw, 5—6. Totals. —Okoroire, 3 matches, 6o games; Tirau, 16 matches, 127 games.

THE NEW SEASON. SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION GAMES. NOTES ON PLAY AND PLAYERS. (By "Umpire.”) As was 1 lie case in the A grade knock-out competition, the mutches in tiie B grade section have also been very close in most cases. St. Paul s annexed the cup last Saturday by defeating Si. Peter's (last year’s winners/ in a very close mutch. Barely does it happen that a team wins by sets, and yet is behind in games, but this’was tiie position in this instance, St. Paul’s winning 14 sets to their opponents’ 10, while St. peters hue a lead of one game. Although I had expressed tiie opinion that St. Paul s would win it appears that luck was on their side, seeing that no fewer than six matches were won only by the odd game. St. Paul’s had a lead of 7 sets to 5 after all the doubles matches had been played, and by winning four of the men's singles clinched matters. I am pleased to learn that the plavcrs were keen enough to turn up" to time despite the heavy shower experienced at lunch time, as it was essential that all the matches be played in such an important fixture. The result was in doubt almost up to the finish, St. Peter's being two sets down with the sixth ladies’ and men s singles to go and having a lead in n-ames. By winning both these matches St. Peter’s must have retained the cup on the margin on rr ames. The excitement was intense when 'the score was called 6 nil in the Knwright-Carter encounter. The former, however, won the final game and the match for St. Paul s. A Good Standard. Cooper extended Howard in a hardfought set and there was very little between these two. The standard of tennis was exceptionally good m this match, both payers playing hard and showing that either is quite up to A Invade standard. St. Paul’s ladies showed how weak they arc by only winning seven games in the three ladies’ doubles and four games m the first three ladies’ singles. The fourth, flfth and sixth St. Paul’s ladies, howC ver came to light, and won their matches, thus saving the situation. The representative learn was stooped from proceeding to Matamata owing to the report that it was; raining heavily there. In view of the way it cleared this was unfortunate, an d it now scorns that ihe only date on which the match can be played is tiie 21st.

The Best Quality. A few of our players apparently were keen enough to see good tennis played to make certain whether the exhibition matches were to be played or not. Those who attended must have felt well rewarded for doing so, and the education received by watching the four players in action must have its good effects. For a player wishing to study a particular style there was ample opportunity of choice, as all four have their own way of getting all there is out of the game. Undoubtedly the player with the most graceful style was Dr. Gray, and the majority of those present must have watched with envious eyes the ease with which he executed his shots. Both Sledman and Sturt have some pretty shots, the forehand drive of the former being perhaps his masterpiece; while the volleying and smashing of Sturt left little to lie desired. Sims excelled himself, his best shot being his cross-court volley which left both Sledman and Sturt standing ' in the doubles match. Sims's victory over Stcdman was decisive, and one wonders just how far both he and Dr. Gray would go if they had the opportunity for practice against good players. One disturbing feature of the matches was the foot-faulting which was allowed to go unchecked. Ml four players were guilty.' 1 know that

it is contended by some that in exhibition matches the umpire should not be strict. I cannot agree with this, however, as I contend that such matches are primarily ol' an educaiional nature, and :f young players see foot-faulting going unchecked there is a tendency for them to think it is quite an unimportant matter. No doubt with little at stake the players were inclined to be a little careless, and perhaps the foot-faulting is forgiveable provided younger players are aware of the position. The umpires were not to blame, as it is indeed difficult to decide whether the right foot is over the line at the moment of impact unless base-line umpires are provided. However, the display of tennis was superb, and the Waikato Association should be urged to stage further matches during the season.