LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue I, 7 January 1899, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS.

NEW ZEALAND LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT. The Lawn Tennis Championship Tournament opened at the Carisbrook (■rounds, Dunedin, on Boxing Day. The weather was very unfavourable, drizzling rain falling at intervals, and seriously interfering with the matches, and the attendance of the public. P. Marshall’s playing in the Singles Championship was very much admired. This match was against his brother, but the Auckland representative was somewhat unfortunate in the umpiring, and some of his friends thought his failure to win the second set was due to this fact.

Parker was exceedingly lucky, wining three sets against Burrows right off. The latter made a good stand in the last two sets, but Parker was too strong for him.. The rain came down before Peacock and Fisher had got through their first set, but they kept on, nothing daunted, though the court became very heavy towards the last, probably causing Peacock, after winning the first set, to lose the next three, though he fought hard for them.

Miss Rayner was found to be an easily vanquished opponent by Miss Gorrie in the Handicap Singles, as the former only took one game in two sets.

The Combined Doubles was well contested, and Mr and Mrs Biss had none too cheap a victory. The following are the results of the various matches: —

Men’s Championship Singles: H. A. Parker beat A. Burrows, 6—o, 7 —7, 7—5. J. M. Marshall beat P. Marshall, 6—3, 3—6, 6—3, 6 —4. Men’s Championship RJP. Ward and A. Burrows beat W. E. Fisher and W. M. Shand, 6 —2, 9 —7, Men’s Handicap Singles: H. Henderson beat R. Leay, J. McLeod beat J. S. Atkinson, J. Wilson beat W. H. Quickens, F. M. B. Fisher beat C. St. G. Gore, A. Wilding beat F. Wilding, F. A. Beath beat W. J. Barlow, T. Leay beat M. Burnside, E. Colthart beat A. Young, E. P. Levin beat W. McDonald, A. A. Styche beat C. G. Branson. Second Round: Broad beat H. A. Parker, Ward beat Williams, C. White beat T. Colthart, W. Leay beat Biss, G. F. Armstrong beat C. M. Olliver.

Ladies’ Handicap Singles: Miss M. Ramsay beat Miss N. Gilkison, Miss B. River beat Miss Hislop, Miss Gorrie beat Mrs Rayner. Second Round: Miss Muralty was scratched, and gave a bye to Miss E. Simpson. Ladies’ Handicap Doubles: Misses Gore and Nunnelly beat Misses Mclean and Mears. Men’s Handicap Doubles: J. Aickenson and J. Williams beat M. Denniston and G. Tapper, P. Cox and G. Salmond beat F. Gresvan and A. Vickers, G. Branson and C. Broad beat A. Spain and W. McDonald, F. Fisher and J. Marshall beat P. Marshall and Peacock, E. P. Levin and E. Salmond beat F. Ulrich and F. Bettsarond, J. Collins and W. Styche beat W. Fisher and W. Shand.

Combined Handicap Doubles: Miss K. Ramsay and Cox beat Miss Ramsay and Broad, Miss Biss and Biss beat Miss Aitken and Vincent.

On Tuesday the weather conditions were in some respects an improvement on those of the former day, but instead of drizzling showers there was a. cold wind blowing which made matters very unpleasant. Much interest centred in the match between Cox and Parker, which was the event of the day. Parker made a fine start, winning the first set by six to four. But in the next set Cox entirely retrieved his position. His volleying was particularly good and eventually he routed his opponent entirely. In the Doubles Parker and Marshall easily defeated Spain and McDonald, and in the Mixed Doubles Miss Gorrie and Parker beat Miss Simpson and Styche. Peacock won a couple of rounds in the Handicap Singles, and Miss Gorrie, beating Miss Kiver, advanced a step in the Doubles.

The following were the results of the day’s play: — Men’s Championship Singles: First round — Gore beat Ward, 6 —1, 6 — 0 (Ward retired); W. E. Fisher beat C. F. Salmond, 6—3, 6—4, 6 —4. Second round- —Gore beat F. Fisher, 2 —6, 6 —4, 6—l, I—6, 7 —5; C. Cox beat Parker, 4 —6, 6—3, 6—l. J. M. Marshall beat W. E. Fisher, 6—3, 6—l, 6 —o. Third

round—Collins beat Gore, 6—o, 13—11, 6—-2; Peacock beat Salmond, 6—4, 6—4. Ladies’ Championship Singles: Miss Lean beat Miss Campbell, 6—4, 2 —6, 6—3.

Men’s Championship Doubles: First round —Branson and Broad beat Barlow and C. Salmond, 6—4, 2—6, 6—4, 6 —2. Second round—F. M. B. Fisher and J. M. Marshall beat Garsia and F. Wilding, 7—5, 6—B, 6—4; Parker and I*. Marshall beat McDonald and Spain, 6—4, 6—2, 6—o; Cox and Collins beat Ward and Borrows, 6—l, 6 —l, 7—5. Ladies' Championship Doubles: First round—Misses Lean and Nunnelly beat Misses E. and M. Simpson, 6—o, 6—l. Second round — Misses Harman and Jordan scratched in favour of Misses M. Ramsay and Campbell. Combined Handicap Doubles: First round—MJss Harman; and Williams beat Miss Simpson and Young; Miss Gore and Collins beat Miss Gordon and Henderson. Second round—Miss Mac Lean and Shand beat Miss Lean and Garsia; Miss Gorrie and Parker beat Miss M. Simpson and Styche. Men’s Handicap Singles: First round —Shand beat P. H. Cox. Second round Turton scratched in favour of E. Salmond, Styche beat Levien, W. Fisher beat Gresham, McLeod beat Shand, Borrows beat Vincent, E. Colthart beat T. Leay, F. M. Fisher beat Wilson. Third round—J. M. Marshall beat McLeod.

Ladies' Handicap Singles: First round—Miss Bathgate beat Miss Ramsay. Second round—Miss Bathgate beat Miss M. Ramsay, Miss Gorrie beat Miss Kiver.

Men’s Handicap Doubles: First round—F. and A. Wilding beat C. Gore and B. Goring. S. Smith and F. Turton scratched in favour of H. Henderson and C. Olliver, A. Young and J. Wilson beat McLeod and Barlow, Levien and Salmond beat Henderson and Olliver, C. Cox and Garsia beat E. and T. Colthart, C. White and Armstrong scratched in favour of Ward and Borrows, P. Marshall and Peacock beat Branson and Broad, F. and A. Wilding beat Atkinson and Williams. Ladies’ Handicap Doubles: Misses Gilkison scratched in favour of Misses Simpson. Second round—Misses Gorrie and Biss beat Misses Gilchrist and Hislop, 6—l, I—s, 4—l, 6—l; Misses Aitken and Harman beat Mrs Briffault and Miss Clarke, 6—l, 6—4. Splendid weather prevailed for the continuation of the Championship Lawn Tennis Tournament on the Wednesday. Most of the morning was occupied with various handicap matches, but at mid-day the championship tie between H. Gore and Collins was played off. Gore’s play was hardly as accurate as usual, but his placing was good enough to prevent Collins running into volleying.

The match Cox versus Marshall was the most interesting of the day, for though Cox won by three sets to love each separate set was well contested, the score being game for game nearly the whole time. Cox play cd a remarkably safe game, seldom missing a stroke, and placed his returns splendidly. He did not run into volley as often as usual, Marshall’s placing being too accurate and his lobs too well judged. Cox’s driving was good, but not very hard, while Marshall’s was wanting in its usual force and direction. Only three sets were played, Cox always playing hard i< wards the end of each set.

The concluding rounds in the Doubles Championship were also played in the afternoon. Fisher and Marshall, of Wellington, were beaten rather easily by the Gore Brothers, also of Wellington. The volleying of the Gores won them the match, though there was as a r'lie not much force in it. Fisher's smashes were terrific, but he did not work well with his partner. This match put the Gores in the final. The other doubles match. Collins and Cox versus Marshall and ’arker, was fairly well contested. Hard hitting was the feature of the games, but there was little accuracy on the part of the Aucklanders. The first set was won fairly easily by Parker and Marshall, who at first appeared in good form; but in the three succeeding sets they were badly beaten. Collins and Cox volley hard and with certainty, though both are better with low returns than with overhead work. Parker’s overhead volleying was poor for him, and his driving was very uncertain. Marshall’s backhand play was much better than usual, but his serving was very weak. This match

put the last Auckland representatives out of the championships, a fact that is probably accounted for by the lack of practice consequent on the bad weather experienced this year. In the ladies' matches Miss Gorrie has got as far as the final of the Handicap Singles, but Misses Biss and Gorrie were beaten in the doubles.

Auckland still has representatives in the Men’s Handicap Singles and Doubles, and in the Ladies’ Singles, and should pull off some of the events. The following were the results of the day’s play: — Men’s Champion Singles (semifinal): Collins beat H. Gore, B—6, 5— 6—o, 6—3; C. Cox beat J. M. Marshall, B—6, B—6, 6—4. Men’s Champion Doubles (second round): Gore Brothers beat Branson and Broad, 6—3, 6—3, 6—4. Semifinal: Gore Brothers beat F. Fisher and J. M. Marshall, 5—7, 6—l, B—6, 7—5; Collins and C. Cox beat Parker and P. Marshall, 4—6, 6—2, 6—l, 6—

Ladies’ Singles (semi-final): Misses Lean beat Miss Gilchrist, 6—3, 6—2; Miss M. Simpson beat Miss Gorrie, 6—o, 6—3. Miss Nunnelly plays the winner for the championship of the colony. Ladies’ Champion Doubles (semifinal): Misses Lean and Nunnelly beat Misses Gilchrist and Hislop, 6—o, 6—o.

Men’s Handicap Singles (third round): W. Leay beat D. Colthart. W. Fisher beat F. Fisher, E. Colthart beat A. Wilding, C. Salmond beat Styche. Fourth Round: Broad beat W. Leay. C. Salmond beat E. Colthart, Peacock beat Borrows.

Ladies’ Handicap Singles (semifinal): Miss Nunnelly beat Miss Bathgate, Miss Gorrie beat Miss E. Simpson.

Combined Handicap Doubles (first round): Miss Nunnelly and Fisher beat Miss Campbell and Ward. Second round: Miss Hislop and Borrows beat Miss River and Borlow, Miss Harnan and Williams beat Miss Gilchrist and Spain, Mrs Rayner and Levien beat Miss M. Simpson and Wilson, Miss Gore and Collins beat Miss M. Ramsay and Cox, Miss Nunnelly and Fisher beat Miss Biss and Biss. Third round: Miss Meares and Atkinson beat Miss Hislop and Borrows, Miss Nunnelly and Fisher beat Miss McLean and Shand.

Men’s Handicap Doubles (second round): Wallich and Vincent scratched in favour W. and D. Leay, Young and Wilson beat P. Cox and C. Salmond. Third round: P. Marshall and Peacock beat Levien and E. Salmond. Fourth round: Young and Wilson beat F. and W. Wilding. Ladies’ Handicap Doubles (second round): Misses E. and M. Simpson beat Misses Ramsay and M. Ramsay. Third round: Misses Nunnelly and Gore beat Misses Gorrie and Biss.

The weather for the last day’s meeting was splendid. Cox and Collins were not at all in good form for the Singles Championship of New Zealand, which was won by Cox, though the hard volleying of Collins much redeemed his credit, and gave him the second set. The general feeling was that Cox is quite entitled to the name of champion. Miss Gorrie gained great kudos in the Ladies’ Handicap Singles, her back hand being a great improvement on former matches. She has won first prize. The Otago champions, Ward and Borrows, were beaten by P. Marshall and Peacock in the Men’s Handicap Doubles, finally having to own themselves vanquished by Young and Wilson, of Wellington, after some good games. In the Handicap Singles Colthart had the advantage of being underrated by the handicapper, and he beat Peacock, though the latter played well. The Championship Doubles was rather a tame display, and the Canterbury men won without, apparently, very much effort. Miss Gorrie and Parker (Auckland) were pitted against Miss Gore and 'Vollins in the Combined Doubles, the last event of the Tournament. The games were most interesting, the contestants being very evenly matched. Miss Gorrie gained the match by crossing Collins at the net in a very neat manner, after advantage to Auckland had been called. The result of the Combined Doubles was much applauded. There was a smart ball in the evening as a wind-up to the visitors’ enjoyment.

Ladies’ Singles: Best of three sets, advantage sets. Prize, trophy valued at £2 21. The winner to play Miss Nunnelly for the Ladies’ Lawn Tennis Championship of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association’s gold medal. Final: Miss Lean (Canterbury Club) beat Miss M. Simpson (Linwood Club): 6—l, 7 —5. Miss Nunnelly beat Miss Lean: 6—l, 6 —o.

Men’s Championship Singles: Best of five sets, advantage sets. First prize. New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association’s gold medal and trophy, valued at £3 3/; second prize, trophy valued at £1 11/6. Final: C. C. Cox (Canterbury( beat J. F. Collins (Canterbury): 6—2, 4—6, 6—3, 6—3. Ladies’ Championship Doubles: Best of three sets, advantage sets. Prizes, New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association’s gold medals and trophies of £ 1 1/ each. Misses Lean and Nunnelly (Canterbury) beat Misses Ramsay and Campbell (Otago) : 7—5, 6—3. Men’s Championship Doubles: Final: Cox and Collins (Canterbury) beat Gore Brothers: 6—3. 6—2. 6—4.

Men’s Handicap Singles : Fourth round—F. Fisher beat J. M. Marshall: 2— 6, 6—5, 6—4. Semi-final—E. Colthart beat Peacock: 6—4, 6—2. Fisher beat Broad: o—6, 6—3, 6—4. Final: E. Colthart (Canterbury) receives 4-6ths of 15, beat Fisher, owes 15 5-6ths: 6 —3, 6—4. Ladies’ Handicap Singles: Final— Miss Gorrie (Auckland) receives 3- of 15, beat Miss Nunnelly, owes 40: 6—3, 6—4.

Combined Handicap Doubles: Third round —Miss Gore and Collins beat Miss Harman and Williams: 6—l, 6—3. Miss Gorrie and Parker a bye. Semifinal—Miss Gore and Collins beat Miss Meares and Atkinson: 6—l, 6—o. Miss Gorrie and Parker beat Miss Nunnelly and Fisher: 5—6, 6—2, 6—2. FinalMiss Gorrie and Parker (Auckland), owe 4-6ths of 15, beat Miss Gore and Collins, scratch: 5—6, 6—l, 6—5. Men’s Handicap Doubles: Best of three sets, advantage sets. Prizes, trophies (£3 3/ the pair). Third round —Cox and Garsia beat I’, and T. Leay: 6 1, 6—o. Ward and Borrows, a bye. Semi-final—Marshall and Peacock beat Ward and Borrows: 6—5. 6—2. Young and Wilson beat Cox and Garsia : 3—6, 6—3, 6—4. Final —A. Young and J. Wilson (Wellington), scratch, beat Marshall and Peacock (Auckland), owe 30: 6—3, 6—5. Ladies' Handicap Doubles: Third round—Misses E. and M. Simpson beat Misses Aitken and Harman: 6—5. 6—2. Final—Misses Gore and Nunnelly, owe 15 3-6ths, beat Misses E. and M. Simpson, owe 15 3-6ths: 6—l 6—o.

The first round of the combined doubles in the Hawke’s Bay Lawn Tennis Club's Tournament ha.--now been completed, but that so many competitors are away from Napier visiting friends that the tournament will probably not be quite finished till near the end of the season. The Waipawa Tennis Tournament. which comes off in a few weeks, promises as usual to be a great success, and is looked forward to with pleasure not only by Waipawa people, but also by many in other parts of Hawke’s Bay, and several well known Napier players intend to compete at it.