LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XI, 16 March 1901, Page 490

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

“Vantage.”)

A most enjoyable day was spent at the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club last Thursday, when the ladies of the club gave their picnic. The weather was delightful, and the lawns looked very bright and pretty. The matches were begun at 11.30. and the first round was played before one o’clock, when all adjourned for luncheon, which was held at the Parish Hall, opposite the lawns. The tables were daintily decorated with yellow, and looked’ cool and refreshing. The exceedingly good luncheon was provided bv the ladies of the club. The matches were continued after lunch. The winners of the first class were Mrs. Cooper (North Shore) and Miss Mowbray (Parnell), who beat, after a hard struggle, Mrs. Burton and Miss A. Nicholson, both of AVest End. The prizes were very pretty, Mrs. Cooper’s being a sweet little hand-bag, ant Miss Mowbray’s a silver button-hook Mrs. Burton 'and Miss Nicholson received grapes as consolation prizes. The winners of the second class were Misses Mason and Preece. I think the ladies of the Parnell Club ought to be congratulated on their very successful picnic. Everyone seems to have enjoyed it so thoroughly. The West End ladies hold their picnic next Tuesday, the 12th. Play is to commence at 1.30. Sfuch to the regret of

the ladies, this will be the last tennis picnic of this season.

The final of the men’s handicap doubles between Turner and Vaile and Heather and Brown was played last Saturday at the Eden and Epsom lawns. Turner and Vaile were both playing well, and took the first set, 6—2. The second set was more even, and was ultimately won by Turner and Vaile, 7 —5. Turner, as before, played on the base line, and Vaile devoted his attention to anything he could reach on the volley. Heather played will, but Brown was a trifle off his game. Turner has been playing very well lately, his lobbing and driving being really good, while Vaile, who had been saving his arm for this match, smashed really well. Heather volleyed well, but there was a want of combination, which proved fatal to his chances.

The ladies’ championship of the Eden and Epsom Club has been won by Miss Stella Bice. Readers of this column will remember that I commented very favourably on her accurate and intelligent style of play early in the season, when she showed up prominently in the Association championship. On Monday week Miss Rice put out Miss G-orrie, 2—6, 6 —3, 6—3. Miss Gorrie was making too many mistakes, and practically beat herself. After this victory Miss Rice was the favourite in the final against Miss A. Stewart. The Izfer is also a wonderfully improved player this season, and with another year’s experience will be very hard to beat. Miss Stewart opened in fine form, and secured the first set, 7—5. particularly noticeable being her hard backhand drives, which continually scored outright. The second set fell to Miss Rice by fine play, and when 4 al! was called in the third set excitement ran very high. Miss Stewart led at 5—4. bnt Miss Rice by steady and accurate placing took the next three games, the set. and the championship.

On Tuesday Miss Rice proved that her victory*over Miss A. Stewart was no fluke by beating her the final of the Handicap Singles, although owing 1 15. Miss Stewart played a grand game in the first set. which she won, 6—l. The second set fell to Miss Rice at 6—4, but when Miss Stewart led at 4-—0 in the third the match seemed a foregone conclusion for her. but Miss Rice made up her leeway, and won the six games in succession. By victories she secures the prize presented by Dr. F. W. Coates, president of the Club, and also the gold bangle presented by Mr A. Kohn.

In the penultimate round of the combined doubles, C. Heather and Miss Sloman beat Turner and Miss D. Rice. 6-—B, 6—2, 6—3. Both pairs started on the same mark, but after a desperate struggle for the first, set Heather’s volleying told its tale, and being well backed up by Miss Sloman. this pair ran out winners by a fair margin. The final will be played next Saturday between Miss Sloman and Heather and Miss Hall and H. A. Parker, the latter pair owing 15J.

Vaile v. Mair was the only match played in the championship singles. Considerable interest was taken in this match, and opinion was somewhat divided as to who would prove the winner, although the cognoscenti did not express much doubt. Mairs game has improved considerably since he eame to Auckland, and Vaile, who is suffering from tennis elbow, has not been playing very well lately. Vaile won the first set very easily—6—l. He then, as usual, slackened off, and before he could get going Mair annexed the set — I—6.1 —6. Vaile’s fast screw service told very much on his opponent in the first set, but he seemed to get more used to it in the Seeing this, Vaile served fast plain balls, and placing very well, particularly to Mair’s back hand, left his opponent standing again and again. Mair has a good fast plain service, but does not place it particularly well. Vaile annexed the next set—-6 —2. In this set he used the Australian chop to Mair’s back hand, and following up frequently scored outright. This is a most telling stroke, and one which it would well repay our players to develop. Mair's overhead work was

very good, and when he got hold of anything short he promptly buried it. Vaile was afraid to play his usual volleying game* and contented himself with playing from the baseline most of the time. He won the last set very easily, the scores reading—--—1, I—6, 6—2, 6 —2. Mair’s backhand is distinctly weak and Vaile lost no opportunity of giving him practice in this department.

Mrs Biss and Miss H. Hickson won the ladies' doubles at the Thorndon Club, Wellington, beating Mrs Marchbanks and Miss Kock—6—4. 4—6, 6—3, and in the men’s handicap doubles Messrs Abbott and Sloman (formerly of Auckland), received 15}. beat A. D. Thomson and J. Wilson, receive J 15—2—6, 6 —4, 6—3.

Writing in the "Evening Post” about the Wellington championships, ‘‘Volley” gives the following particulars, which will be interesting to Auckland players: — In the Championship Singles there were several good games. Cecil Adams gave C. Gore a good game, being beaten by 3 sets to 1. H. Gore and Laishley had a good set-to. Gore winning the second and third sets, but was then unable to keep playing a hard game. Smythe made a good stand against C. Gore in the first set, but Young’s play did not come up to his usual standard when playing H. Gore.

Following are the scores: —First Round —Smythe beat Sloman, 6—l, 6—3, s—l: H. Gore beat A. Young. 6 —l, 6—l, 6—2. Second Round —C. Gore beat Cecil Adams. 6 —5. 6—2, 2—6, 6—3; Smythe beat J. Wilson, 6 —4, <s—2. 6—l: 11. Gore beat Daiziel (retired); Laishley beat A. D. Thomson. 4—6. 6—2, 6—2. 6—3. Third Round —Laishley beat H. Gore. 6 4, ig 56 6 —3, 6—l; C. Gore beat Smythe, '6—4. ’ 6—3. 6—2. Final— Laishley beat C. H. Gore. 4—6. 6— j, 6 —l, 6—3. This match was one of the best exhibitions of tennis given on the courts, and Laishley at last came tip to the expectations of his admire? s. Laishley’s first game against Wellington players was in 1890. when a recess team Journeyed to Blenheim, and on that occasion lie was beaten by Fred Barraud. Although always a promising player, with a vert easy style, he failed to play up to form in tournaments, although he got mro many finals. A few years ago he jumped up among the best players of Wellington, and at the champion meeting at Palmerston North in 99 he gave Hooper a great shaking up. winning the first set easily, but was not in good enough condition to last. At the Easter tournament he won the champion singles of Wellington, and with Adams won the doubles, beating the redoubtable Gore brothers. He also won the handicap singles, and in this match he played a careful game. At- Christchurch he did not have a chance, as he met Peacock, and played his match in pouring rain. This match was very close. Peacock winning by 5 —7. 6'—3. 7—5, 6—2. Being unable to obtain further leave he had to retire from the doubles with Adams. His play has greatly improved during the last year, and he plays a much safer though still brilliant game. He is rather erratic at the net. and “Laishley’s smash” is something to be more wondered at than copied. With consistent training and practice against good opponents he would be very hard to beat, and I predict that his name will appear as New Zealand champion before many years are .past. Following is a list of the championships of the court from 1888 to date: Year. Men’s Cham. 1888- Boddington 1889- Bod d i ngt on 1890- H. Gore 1891- R. Gore 1892- R. Gore 1893- H. Gore 1394-95 H. Parker 1895- H. Gore 1896- H. Parker 1897- C. Gore 1898- H. Gore 1899- C. Gore 1900- F. Laishley At last meeting of the Auckland Branch of the N.Z. Lawn. Tennis Association, Mr P. A. Vaile’s offer to present a gold medal to be awarded to the best lady volleyer at the next championship meeting, was accepted

with thanks. There can be no doubt that in this department of the g-.oue our ladies are sadly lacking. Very few ladies can take an underhand volley with any degree of certainty, while if they score off an overhead one it is more by accident than design. This should not be. as there is no reason why ladies should not become expert volley era. In England many of the best lady players run in ou their chances, like the men, and score with the volley. This may not suit many of our ladies, but they should be able to volley when caught close in, otherwise they are helpless. The event is sure to cause a lot of interest amongst lady players, and will, I have no doubt, realise the expectations of the donor in improving the standard of ladies’ play in New Zealand.

The entries for the Boys' and Girls’ Championships total about 15 for each event, which must be considered satisfactory for the first year. A committee consisting of Messrs Jackson (Prince Albert College), Turner (Auckland Grammar School), and A. A. Davies (Hon. Sec. Auckland L.T. Association) has been appointed to settle all details and conditions, and manage the matches generally. Miss D. Udy is considered likely to win the ladeis’ event, but I am of opinion that Miss Constance Biss will give her some trouble. Miss C. Biss has a good forehand drive and is active on the court, but her service and backhand could both be improved. With club practice she promises to develop into a first-class player in a few seasons. Next week I purpose giving a complete list of the players, and also further comments from time to time.

At a meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association it was unanimously decided to hold the forthcoming New Zealand Championship on the Eden and Epsom ground. The West End Club had also put in an application for the privilege of holding the tournament on their court, but as their offer was contingent on certain provisos as to management and disposition of funds, etc., being complied with, the delegates decided that under the rules of the N.Z. Association they had no power to enter into an arrangement of this character, and the President, who was in the chair, accordingly ruled the application to be out of order. Opportunity to consult again with their committee with a view to making an unreserved offer of their ground was given to the West End delegates, but was not Liken advantage of.

It has been found impossible to play the inter-club matches this season. as the interruptions have been so many that a sufficient number of Saturdays cannot be spared from tournaments which are still unfinished. This is very unfortunate; the matches would have proved beneficial to all the clubs.

The West End Club matches are now being brought to a conclusion, Mr J. C. Peacock and Mrs N. Burton being returned the winners of the combined doubles. As I anticipated in my previous notes, Mrs Gentles and Miss L. Butters fought out. the final in the ladies' handicap singles, the former winning comfortably. On Saturday last Mr Brabant had little difficulty in disposing of Mr A. Goldie, the scores being 6—l. 6 —2, and 6—2. bringing himself in the final for the lawn ch-fn pion ship, which will be played on Saturday next, when no doubt he and Mr Peacock (who have battled out the question for the past four years) will again have a good go. At present the honours are even, Mr Brabant and Mr Peacock having won two championship medals each. The handicap men’s singles have advanced a stage further, the following matches having been played during the past week: A. Brabant beat S. Upton, 6—3, 6 —3; J. Paterson beat H. Burton, 6—l, 6—2; J. C. Hodges beat F. Burton, 6—4, 6—4; A. Goldie beat B. Baker, 6—l. 6—4. Messrs. Brabant, Paterson, and Hodges now stand out prominently as likely to supply the winner. On Tuesday the West End Club continued the series of ladies’ afternoon socials, at which members from the various clubs attended, and during the afternoon some very pleasant matches

were played. Judging froui the attendance of the fair sex. and the bid made by some of the for the small trophies competed for, it would seem that these afternoon functions are becoming very popular.