LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XXII, 30 November 1901, Page 1028

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

VANTAGE.)

West End and Mount Eden had fairly easy wins in their respective events in the inter-club doubles. .Mount Ellen won all their matches against Devonport, but Ponsonby lost two of their second team matches atyaiust Parnell. The greatest battle of the first round wits that between Mrs Chapman and Miss Corrie (Mount Eden), and Misses Patterson end Harvey (Devonport). at the Mount Eden lawn, the scores, 10-8,7—0. 6—3, ending io a win for Mount Eden, shows that t he game was a good one, but it wa< even closer than the scores show. The Mount Eden pair should have won much easier. Mrs Chapman is a good volleyer, and should do more of it. and not allow a miss or two to put her off it. she will win more strokes outright at the net than elsewhere, ns ladies' doubles are played in Auckland now. Miss Gorrie also volleys well, and after coming in to u short one shoul l stay up. instead of which she was caught up in the three-quar-ter court again mid again. Some of her back-hand shots were a treat to see. and taken as they were, with her back almost to the net, and right foot well across, they were a lesson to many players, who neglect this most important detail. Miss Patterson interfered with her partner a little, but I understand she has not played for a long lime, and until a pair “find themselves" this is inevitable. Miss Harvey was very steady. This match was one of the most striking examples that I have seen for a long time of what volleying might do for ladies, lime and again there were splendid opportunities for anyone at the net. simply to hold up the racket and allow the ball to fall oft it, and make ii certain score. The ball was positively asking io be killed, or allowed io die an easy death every other rest, and no one would take pity on itNow ami again, however, there was quite a good little volleying rest, which showed clearly what the players could do when they would risk trying. Fisher and Peacock will play together in the Men's Championship Doubles, and will also probably- play against one another in the Singles, t hey should make a good pair, and I cannot pick one to beat them, although if the Marshalls play together they should be equal to making a good game of it. If Fisher should be iu good form, a match between him and Peacock should provide some good tennis. Tie played a great game • gainst Dunlop at Christchurch last y.-ar when he got within one stroke cl' (Hitting the Victorian out. While two well-known lady' players w.-re engaged in a match at Surbiton i lady spectator who had been watching them for some time turned to mother lady and asked. “Would you mind telling me whether it. is after the third or the fourth stroke that the players hit the ball into the net?” The reply was a short and goodnatured effort to explain that the great object in view of the players was to try to win the stroke and not to hit tin- ball into the net. But the questioner was convinced against her will, ami replied: "Oh. but I see them hitting the net very haul indeed.” I bear that Dr. Marshall will play' at the coming tournament, and also that his brother, the Rev. J. Marshall. of Wanganui, is coming up. f have seen it slated that Laishley and I lie Gore brothers will not come, but this, I hope ami believe, is slightly primal lire. Several of our lawn tennis clubs have elected a large number of new members this season. Devonport, at one silting, added about thirty, and Mount Eden's new members tot up to over half a century ; indeed the energetic committee of the latter club will have to seriously consider the

question of further accommodation before long.

Reginald Biss is one of Mt. Eden’s most promising players. He is a lefthanded player, serves well, and hits hard, and yet with method. 1 expect him to make great strides in the game this season. Brabant played a great game with Peacock against Parnell on Saturday. The Ponsonby metal was a trifle too heavy for their opponents. In Miss C. Patterson Devonport, has a player who with practice will be a great acquisition to her club. She has a fair overhead service, volleys well, and places , cleverly. Some of her strokes are very severe, and her backhand is generally good. I should like to see a match for ladies’ doubles arranged, one of the conditions of which should be that the server’s partner must stand at the net while the service is being delivered. This would tend to give ladies the idea of playing at the net, and would do away with a lot of the dreadful monotony which there is at. present in even our leading- colonial events of this description. Somebody’s writing is doubtless responsible for the most delightful misprint which we have ever seen in connection with the g-ame of lawn tennis. It refers to the All England Mixed Doubles at the Northern last, week, and appears in the “South Wales Daily News,” which has been kindly sent to us by an old subscriber. The report as it appears is as follows:—"All Engaged Mixed Doubles Championship. — Second Round—Mr S. H. Smith and Miss Martin beat Mr G. F. Goodman and Miss Makinson, 6/2, 6/1.” Heather and Rice played a good game against Devonport. Heather particularly' volleying well. Rice just arrived in time to take Vailes place, which was lucky for Mount Eden, as it would have been hard to fill the vacancy without disarranging some of the pairs. Miss Harvey, of Devonport, plays a very steady game. Ghe gets good pace and length on her returns, and is moreover very active on the court. Mair and Billing defeated Buddle and Young after an interesting match, in which they always had a little the best of the play, except when the Devonport players reached 4-3 in the second set. Mair and Billing make a very good pair. They have the advantage of knowing each other’s game thoroughly, and this is an essential to good double play. Billing is very good at the net.