LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue IX, 2 March 1901, Page 395

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

“Vantage.”)

Last Thursday the ladies of the Devonport Club held their annual At Home, and a great success it proved. About forty visiting ladies made the trip across to tbe grounds of the marine club, and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. A series of double matches were played, the ultimate Winners turning up in Mrs Newell, of West End, and Miss Udy, of Eden and Epsom Clubs respectively. Miss Udy was really far too strong to be graded as a second-class player, and she and Mrs Newell made a very strong pair. The afternoon tea. provided by the ladies of the Devonport Club, was excellent, one of she *risiting ladies afterwards informing me that it was “immense.’’ The principal attraction at Hie West End courts since my last notes was the meeting bet wen Beaeoek and Patterson hi 4he. championship singles. Peacock won the first two sets rather easily, but Patterson then played a fine game, and very nearly took the third s«t. the score eventually being 9 —7 in Peacock’s favour. Patterson was in good form all through, and at the finish some of his backhand passing drives were very clever, and secured him many an aceThe BachoScTw’ Dey wt the Eden and JEpom Club last Saturday was _xery TUC-JMlMftlt tn Rpfte of the fftffrotful wenriusr Xhe courts were heavy

after Friday’s rain, but thia did not interfere materially with the play in the Progressive Tennis Tournament, which was great fun The first prize in the men’s section was won by Mair, with 10 wins out of a possible IL C. Heather secured the same number, but lost in the draw off. Mair's powerful service was largely responsible for his win. Of the other men. Bruoe was the most successful, and came out of his shell with a fine score of 9 wins. He has shown great improvement this season, particularly in his service, which is difficult to negotiate. No less than four ladies tied with 8 wins for the place of honour— Misses Peacock, Biss, Oberlin Brown, and F. Sloman, the last-named drawing the prize. It seems to me that in a case of this sort—which, by the way, always arises at these contests—some system of playing off should be devised instead of drawing, which is in no way a test of skill. The booby prizes were secured by Miss B. Price and Mr Kenderdine respectively, the lady receiving a bunch of grapes and the latter a watermelon. Miss Hinman's prize was a silver serviette ring, and Mr Mair's a letter case. The tea table was prettily decorated by Misses E. B. Brown and M. Biss. These tournaments give so much pleasure that it would be a good thing if two were held during the season. The delegates to the Association inspected the West End lawns last Thursday to decide whether the club’s offer of their ground for the New Zealand championships this Christinas should be accepted. The turf was in

very good order, and, prodded ths cusniuittee of the club cerry out the altera Lums tisey propose, 1 do not anticipate that any aarioua objection will be made to the granting of their request. At the same lime the light is not all that is u> be desired, and there might with advantage be more room at the sides of some of the courts The Eden and Epsom ground is without doubt the finest in Auckland, and when it is borne in mind that the rotation of championships only brings the meeting here ouce in four years, with possibly longer intervals iu the future, it seems a pity that the best ground should not be advantage of. The matter will be finally settled at a meeting of delegates next week. Mr V. J. Heather, a prominent member of the Eden and Epsom Club, is leaving for England next Monday, having accepted a commission in the Imperial array. “.Tim” will be rnucl) missed at the courts, where he is a great favourite. Mr H. A. Parker, the Auckland champion, is leaving for a trip to England in three weeks' time, and it is to be hoped that he will take the opportunity of his visit to try his strength against some of the English cracks. Mr Parker’s form is so well known that by this means most interesting comparisons could be made, affording averyaecurate idea of the relative skill of New Zealanders to the Home players. Mr Parker informs me that be intends if possible to be back in Auckland by the opening of the next season. v

Bouie people are luwn tennis mud. 1 know of one Auckland player who, uhile walking along the street, every now and then raises his right hand above his head, throws up an imaginary ball with his left, then strikes violently with his right, lie has not yet mastered the overhead service- His friends are aware of his weakness, hut the ladies of ’he neighbourhood think x he ought not to lx* allowed at large without a keeper. Appended are the results of the Eden and Epsom Tournaments to date: — Ladies’ Chain pi (wish ip Singles.— Miss D. Rice beat Mi«s Slontan, 6-2, 6-4. Mitw A. Stewart beat .Miss Coates, 6-2, 6-1. Miss Gorrie beat Miss Nora Brown. 6-1, 6-0. .Miss Stella Rice beat Miss Stewart. 6-4. 6-1. Combined Doubles.— Miss A. Stewart and Heskelh l>eat Miss Little and V. Heather, 9-7. 3-6, 8-6. Men's Handicap Singles.— Rice (scr.) beat Bamford (received 1-15), 8-6, 7-9, 6-1. Ladies’ Handicap Singles.—Miss little (received 151), beat Miss Oberlin Brown (received 15), 5-6. 6-3. 6-2. Miss Bran well (received •] beat Miss .M. Coates (received- J 15),'6-5. 6-5. Ladies’ Handicap Doubles.--—Misses D. Rice and D. Cdy (owe 2 15). beat Misses Coates ami O. Brown. 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Mrs Chapman and Miss Bramwell (rec. 4 15). beat Miss M. Coates and Miss Bosca wen (rer..ls {), 6-1, 6-1. Misses Stewart and ; Cnrr (rec. 1 15), beat Misses Biss and Gorrie (owe 151), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Owing to the. interference of uniaxourable weather and military functions, the tournaments of the Devon port ( lub have not progressed as well as they would otherwise have • lone, but every favourable opportunity has been made use of, ami in some instances the matches have reached the finals.

fn the Ladies’ Championship, although the entries numbered only three, the interest has been keen. Mrs Cooper drew a bye. and Mrs G. Best played Miss At. Harvey in the first round. Miss Harvey, who showed splendid form, winning. Both she and Mrs Cooper play a very steady game, so the final? which'will be played this week, should be an extremely interesting match. The Men’s Championship, for which there are six entries, has not progressed so well. only one game having been played, that between G. H. C. Best and F. E. Mason, the former winning by 3 sets to 1.

In the Combined Handicap Doubles some very close finishes have resulted, nearly every game being won by a narrow margin.

The following are the results so far :

Tn the first round. Miss Best and S. Best beat Miss Bush and J. Redman. Miss Bell and A. E. Bartley beat Miss Durance and Alf. Bartley, Miss M. Harvey and T. Macky beat Mrs Best and <«. Best. Mrs Cooper and F. E. Mason beat Miss D. Alison and C. H. Young; and in the second round Miss Marks and Gavev beat Miss Bell and A. E. Bartley. Handicapping combined doubles is not an easy matter, and the handicappers are to be congratulated on the close finishes of the above matches. . . .

In one -half of the Ladies’ Handicap Singles Mrs Cooper has come out to the semi-final, but in the other half there are still three, matches to be played to bring it to that stage. The following are the .results, of the various rounds:—Mrs Boak beat Miss McNeill. Miss Mason beat. Airs G. Best. Miss Alison beat Mrs Niccol. Miss PhileoN beat Aliss Best,’ Mrs Cooper beat Miss D. Alison.

Second Round: Mrs Cooper beat Miss Bell; Miss Reid beat .Mrs Boak; and in the third round Mrs Cooper beat Miss Philcox.

In the men's handicap singles there are 15 entries, and it is still an open question as to who will be in at the finish. The first round resulted as follows:— G. H. G. Best beat A. E. Bartlett, T. Macky, beat P. ftkeates. S. H. Macky beat S. H. Best, and C. H. Young beat J. 11. Buddle, and so far in the second round Fred. Buddle has beaten C. H. Young. The men's handicap doubles drew out six teams. F. Buddle and C. H. Young and T. Macky and F. E. Mason drew byes in the first round. :n which the Bartley Brothers received 4-6.15, beat Messrs Whitaker and Howarth

owe 15, and Messrs J. H. Buddle and S. H. Beat receive 15 beat Mesars G. H. C. Best and S. If. Macky owe 15. The semi finals and final of this class should be tery interesting. The lawns at Devon port being of a dry volcanic nature have found the. benefit of the plentiful supply of rain experienced this summer, although it has not proved an unmixed blessing, as it has interfered considerably with the practice of the members.

The introduction of the scheme for inter-club matches was very fasourably received at Devonport, and it is hoped that inter-club intercourse in some form or another will eventuate In* fore the season is over.