LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XXI, 23 November 1901, Page 979

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

VANTAGE.

Saturday last was the first bit of real tennis weather players have enjoyed this season, and full advantage was taken of it. There was a good attendance at all the lawns, and some very enjoyable games were played. 1 have not heard anything yet about the continuation of the boys’ and girls’ championships, inaugurated last season. This was regarded as a

distinct step in the right direction, and gold medals were presented by Messrs. .Vaile and A. E. D’Arcy for the boys’ and girls’ events respectively. The contests aroused a lot of interest, and brought to light two promising players in Hector Morpeth and Miss Daisy Udy, who won their respective events. ! trust that the event .will not be allowed to fall through. We have so few young players of promise that it behoves those who have the good of the game at heart to encourage our juvenile talent as much as possible.

I am told that Miss Nicholson and Mrs. Chapman intend to play together in the championship doubles. They should prove a good combination, as Mrs. Chapman, besides playing a very steady game off the ground, volleys very well.

Quite a number of our rising lady players are adopting the overhead service, with good results, Miss Daisy Udy and Miss Stella Rice being notable examples. Miss Udy’s first service is, when it comes off, as severe as most, men’s, and it would come off much more frequently if she would hit the ball higher up in the air. •’

Speaking of the overhead service reminds me of the subject of ladies volleying’. In an account of a recent tournament in England, the Chiswick Park if I remember right, I saw the following: —-’’Ladies’ Doubles: The final of this event was an unusually interesting game, and the tennis of a high order. It is not a popular event, as a rule, but it became evident soon after the commencement that something good was to be seen. On one side Mrs Sterry played the man’s part, as in a Mixed Doubles, and on the other Miss Douglass played a similar part. A duel naturally would go on between Miss Moseley and Miss Bell until either of the volleyers considered it time to nip across for a smash; then the fun commenced. The smash was often returned by the volley er, and some beautiful rests of real good volleying were seen, in which Miss Douglass more often than not came off best. £jhe never failed over the loose returns, and her smashes were most creditable. It is wonderful the progress she has made this year with her volleying, and she will be in the first flight when her back-hand improves, for she knows the game, and plays it. Miss Moseley was excellent, too, but unsteady, making first-class returns off some of Mrs Sterry’s best shots, but throwing away points on some of the easiest ones. She failed badly in getting to the short ones. Miss Bell used her head admirably, and chiefly played to get Mrs Sterry a winning stroke.” Would that our ladies w’ould go and do likewise, then we should no longer have ladies’ doubles what so many of them are, mere dollying matches. No wonder the English scribe says, “It is not a popular event as a rule,” but there is no reason why it should not be. It Miss Udy or*Miss Rice would lake a turn at the net and hit all loose ones exactly as they do the ball when serving, their example would soon be followed, and the game rendered more attractive both to the players and the spectators. Miss Nunneley, who has for years past carried all before her in the ladies’ events, can neither volley nor lob well, both accomplishments quite within the reach of our rising players, although they ure both sadly pe-

gleeted. A lady who cannot lob ean never be a really good combined playThe following have been chosen to represent Mount Eden against North Shore:—Men Ist, Messrs Vaije and C. Heather; 2nd, Messrs Mair and Billing. Ladies Ist, Mrs Chapman and Miss Corrie; 2nd, Miss Rice and Miss Biss. Combined, Turner and Miss Stewart, and Cooke and Miss Rice. Vaile has strained his leg, and may be unable to play, but it is hoped that Eric Rice, who plays well with Heather, will be here in time to take his place if necessary. The handicaps are out for the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club’s annual handicap singles. The first draw is as follows:

Ladies—Miss Cuff (owe 1-6) v. Miss' Steele (owe 3-6); Miss M. Atkinson (owe 2-6) v. Miss E. Atkinson (owe 3-6); Miss Dargaville (owe 2-6) v. Miss Basley (owe 15); Miss Preece (owe 3- v. Mrs. Goss (owe 15 3-6); Miss B. Atkinson (owe 15) v. Miss Kenderdine (receive 3-6); Miss Mowbray (owe 30) v. Miss Davy (owe 15 3-6); Mrs. Holmes (receive 2-6) v. Miss Scherff (owe 30); Mrs. Philson (owe 15) v. Miss Hull (owe 15). Gentlemen: Thompson (owe 3-6) v. Newton (owe 15); Biss (receive 15) v. Dargaville (owe 3-6); Morris (owe 4- v. Brown (owe 15); Rev. McWilliam (owe 30) v. Dawson (owe 15); Rich (owe 15 2-6) v. Cozens (receive 4-6); Stevenson (owe 30) v. Upfill (owe 15 5-6); McCormick (owe 3-6) v. Ridings (owe 30); Simpson (owe 15 3-6) v. Segar (owe 15). The first round has to be played within a fortnight, and after that a week will be allowed for each round. These events promise to provide very interesting matches. The team chosen to represent the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club against West End on Saturday next is as follows: First Gentlemep’s Doubles: Upfill and Scherff. First Combined: Stevenson and Miss Mowbray. First Ladies’ Doubles: Misses Scherff and Davy. Second Gentlemen’s Doubles: Newton and Segar. Second Combined: Simpson and Miss Hull. Second Ladies’ Doubles: Mrs. Goss and Miss Basley.