Athletic Sports.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue I, 4 January 1902, Page 15

Athletic Sports.

LAWN TENNIS. (By •"Vantage.'') I notice the Ashburton people are having rain at their tournament. I heard one tennis player say they deserved a Cheviot shake, but I do not think that after all they took away a single notable entry. Some of the racquets used at the late tournament would have been better in Slaxenger's museum of antiquities than on a tenuis lawn, and it was truly marvellous to see good players using sneh antediluvian tools, and moreover doing good work with them.

The umpiring at the late tournament has been very freely commented on both by players and me press. My opinion is that, with one exception, it was neither better nor worse than at any ordinary tournament, but until something is done to educate players in the rules of the game these complaints must arise. 1 saw one young player taking a base-line in a championship match from a position eight yards oehin i it. This, of course, is quite ridiculous. I heard one umpire, himself an ex-champion, after posting his base linesmen, ask one of them suddenly during a rest. “How’s that?” and so manifest was it that he had put the striker off his stroke that he gave it a let. My opinion is that to an umpire everything should be in that he doesn’t know for a certainty to be out, and in the case under consideration if he has confidence in his linesmen he has no need to ask, as the moment a ball is over the line a competent linesman —none other should l>e employed—will give his decision. If he doesn’t speak it must be assumed that the ball is in the court. These little circumstances plainly show that the idea of an Umpires’ Association, mooted last season, should be vigorously taken up.

Miss Nimneley has been playing some of the local men singles, and it is quite amusing to hear the various causes which contribute to their downfall. I have heard of quite a bushel. I am informed that she is to play a game against a prominent local player who has had a Slight impediment in his game, lately, but who asserts that if he is put down he won’t plead physical disability. One player 1 did come across, and he was not an Aucklander, who frankly admitted that the lady champion was t<x> good for him. Miss Van Asch, Miss Xunneley’s partner, is a remarkably steady player, especially considering the fact that, she rarely handles a racquet except a few days before tournament time. The Misses Udy played a good game against their redoubtable opponents in the ladies’ handicap doubles. Miss Daisy Uoy’s volleying and serving being very good. J. C. Nicholson (scratch) looks to have a good chance of coming through the men’s singles by the way he is acquitting himself.

“Keep your eye on the ball" is an axiom hurled at young golfers almost ad nauseam. Curiously enough one does not hear much of it at lawn tennis, yet it is quite as important in that game. Many young players look at where they intend to place their volley at the time of making the stroke, and of course the result is d isast rous. ® ® (F NEW ZEALAND LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION'S CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING NOTES ON THE PLAY. THURSDAY. The 16th Championship Meeting of the New Zealand l.a«n Tennis Asso-

elation was started at the Mount Eden tennis lawns ou Thursday, the 26th instant. The weather condilions were not very favourable, there being too much wind, and during the afternoon there were several fairly heavy showers.

The most interesting match of the first day was the meeting of Heather and Rice in the men’s championship. These players are club mates, and (Mirtners in the champion and handicap doubles. Rice won by three sets to one after a good game. Heather is not playing quite up to his last season's form. Lack of practice seems the general cry this season, and no doubt the weather has been against tennis. Rice played very steadily, and no doubt on the day was the better man. In the champion singles Druce and Take fought out a “deadly go,” which took all five sets, and ultimately t ruled 6 —B, 7—a, 6—3, I—6, 6—l. Both players were wonderfully steady, but in the last set Take had hail enough, and was not able to respond to Itis opponent's placing. Lais,i;-‘y and .Miss M. Simpson easily beat Dr. and Miss Marshall two sets straight. Bamford was put out of the handicap singles by Baker. Bamford is not certain enough. I am inclined lo think his play is too ambi i its. in other words, that he tries difficult fast shots when steady good-length ones would pay him better until he acquires accuracy. His stiscr h is very defective, and requires close attention. I have looked for much greater. improvement in Bamford than is apparent, for he is of a class too rare amongst young players, viz.. those who devote thought to their game. In the ladies’ championship doubles Misses Gorri» and Scherff beat Misses Stewart nnd Rice. 6—4. 4—6, 6—3. Miss Gorrie played very well. Miss Coates defeated Miss E. Simpson in the ladies' handicap singles. Miss Coates is one of the most promising lady players at Mount Eden just now. Her forehand shot is very good. and she is bv no means uncertain on her backhand, although she generally plays this stroke a little out of position. Tn the backhand stroke it is a nmitcr of the utmost importance that, the right foot should be properly placet! forward. and this most important detail is almost invariably overlooked by ladies. In the men’s handicap doubles Marshall and Hcerton beat Paterson and Taylor. 6 >. 6 —4. Peacock and Fisher (owe 40> put Vaile and Sheppard (scratch > out two sets straight. Vaile is evidently out of form and condition; iiulced. it could hardly be otherwise considering that he lias practically been laid up for the last six weeks, and there was no combination in his team. Sheppard is a promising player, an 1 although but a new member of the club is on the same.mark in the singles as many who have been playing years; but he uses his head.

FRIDAY. Marshall beat Druce three sets straight without any trouble, his forehand, as of old, being very deadly. Laishley bent Vaile in the Men’s Championship Siegles. 6—3, 6—o, 6—2, and in view of his scores against, Fisher and Marshall the Mount Eden Flayer did not do so badly. J. M. .Marshall secured two games more than Vaile against the Wellington player. Want of practice and want of condition were plainly evident in Vaile's play; indeed he is half lame still, and it would probably have been wiser not to have played at all at the tournament. Vaile must re-model his forehand, which is all to pieces. He Is very good at the “chop.” or downward cut, but has become too fond of it. and his forehand is demoralised. Ixiishley’s forehand, however, is a treat to watch, and he is in the pink of condition. He will just about win the Champion Singles. The game of the day was that between Laishley and Fisher. Laishley won the first set, 6—3, and Fisher the next, 6—4. The third set was a good struggle, but Laishley was not t > be denied.

and ■>* >' a( 9—T. Laishiey won tie la-< -e* fairly easily. and the match, th* —-ovv-. <wv<>g 6—a. 4 —4. 9—7. 6—3. T*h- winner cleurly the belter man tif! placed perfectly. Fisher's »iy‘e is not '••«! as a rale, but beside has upfemeat's <-iena well placed, gvweful shots it did not appear to ad< >n’age; moreover, be is -omewhat stereotyped in some of his shots, which makes it comparatively easy to anti, iiaate tbe.e particular returns, l-iishiey played with perfect coolness, and nn his opponent about a lot. and this told in the last set. Me-dame- Newell and Gentles beat Misses Davy and Mowbray in the i>adies* t bampionship Doubles. In th - Men’s < bantnionship Doubles, Fi.dier and Peacock put Laishley and Gore out easily. Laisbley was feeling the effect* of bis single. and Gore has Sad no practice. Egerton put Peacoek out of the Handicap Singles, the 'tart proving more than the West Hod champion could manage. Egerron has a good eye. but he does not put his weight into his volleys, but sends 'hem hack straight and too soft, and too many of them are picked up again. If he cannot get more weight into his volley less weight and sharp across court would serve him better than bis present shots. Vaile pu- Patterson out, two sets to one He won the first set with great ease. 5— 2. but slowed up and threw away the second and had to go all out to win the third. Both were on the same mark, and the scores were 6 — 2. —6. 6—3. Patterson could do nothing with Vaile’s "chops" stroke, which kept plugging into his back hand. hu« he volleyed and placed well. Vaile's service is bad at present: indeed it is evident that his absence from the game has throw n him <«K-k. Patterson served well, twit was slow in coming in. • SATTRDAT. The match of the day was the meeting between the Kev. Marshall and I.aishtey. Taishley looked in much the better condition of the two. The first two sets were fairly evenly contested. but it was apparent from the outset that Laisbley had his opponent’- measure. He ran him about 3 lot in the first two sets, which he won. »> —3 and 6—4. and in the final want of condition told, and Laishley. “ finishing up his (ask like a racehorse.'’ wihi it without his opponent

•curing a game. Laishley's pls ring was a treat U» see. and both players, in addition *• keeping a good length, used the side lines judiciously. Some of the rests were very fine, both players driving and placing beautifully, while on the run. Misses Van Asch and Nunneley beat Misses L'dty, 4 —6. 6—L 6—l. The Mount Eden pair played a plucky game, but experience told in the two last sets. Miss Daisy L'dy served and volleyed well, and Miss E. l'dy was as stead;- as a rock. Turner and Cooke beat Baker and Druce. I—6, 6—L S—3. C. Heather and Rice beat W. Heather and Ruddock. 6—l. a—6, 6—3. Brabant gave Peacock a bye in the men's champion singles. In the combined championship Miss S. Rice and Rice beat Miss Gorrie and Vaile, 7—3, 4—6, 6—L. Miss Stella Rice played a sterling game and Miss Gorrie was very steady. In the last set the games were 4 2. and 40 love against Miss Rice and her brother, but Vaile, who was plainly very tired, failed repeatedly on his favourite cross-court smash, and the set went to Miss Rice and her brother after a close but somewhat slow game. Miss Stella Rice is playing very well, and made a good fight in her single with Miss Nicholson, which the latter won by two sets straight. Miss Van Asch and Vaile (owe 13) beat Miss Towle and A. Brown (receives 4/6 13). 6—l. 3 —6. 6—l. The first two sets were played on the pre-<-eding evening, and notwithstanding an agreement to the contrary by the players, it was decided by the committee to go on where the game left off. and Miss Van Aseh and Vaile towe 15) won very easily. They afterwards met Miss II Brown and Le Sieur (receives 3/6 15) and won somewhat easily. 6—l, 6—3. Peacock and Fisher (owe 40) put Mair and Billing (scratch) out after a good match by two sets to one. The scratch pair played up well tn the second set, which they won. but were somewhat wild in the last, which their opponents won comfortably. Misses Nunneley and Van Asch put Miss Nicholson and _4~>. Chapman out of the ladies’ doubles championship after an interesting game, in which the Southern pair always had the best of it. The committee of management have worked indefatigably. and I

have Ml heard any ri mptolat as to their efforts. which says a tot to those who are in the habit of tournaments. The lawns are in very good order, and refiect great credit cm the honorary grouad superintendent and Mr. H. Walker.

MONDAY. The tournament was resumed today. handicap matches being played. The weather was favourable, but a moderate breese somewhat interfered with play. Results:— Men's Handicap Doubles. —Riee and Heather beat Gore and Slomaa, 6—4. 5—6, 6—5. Men's Handicap Singles.—A. S. C. Brown beat P. A. Vaile, 3—6, 6—5, 6—l. Combined Championship Doubles.— Miss Simpson and Laishley beat Miss A. Nicholson and Patterson, 6 —3, Combined Handicap Doubles.—Miss A. Stewart and Turner beat Mrs Cooper and Taylor. 6—2, 6—4. Miss D. Cdy and Billing beat Miss Slomaa and Sloman. 6—l. 60—4. Ladies’ Handicap Singles.—Miss T. Walker beat Miss M. Rice. 6—3, 6—5. ladies’ Handicap Doubles.—Misses Nunnelly and Van Asch beat Misses E. T. and M. A. Gorrie. 6—o. 6—l. LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP. The semi-final for the ladies* championship between Miss Simpson (of Wellington) and Miss Nicholson (of Parnell) was commenced at noon. In the first set the game was splendidly fought out. Miss Nicholson was one ahead at the end of the third game, and maintained that lead till the eighth, when Miss Simpson drew level, and winning the ninth got a lead of one. Miss Nicholson, by winning the next two. again headed her rival, but another game to the visitor put the score at six all. Miss Nicholson won the next two games and the set. In the second set Miss Simpson won the first game, her opponent failing to win a stroke. Miss Nicholson then won two games. 5*1 —3ft. and 50 —13. In the fifth Miss Simpson only got one stroke, but won the next at 50—30. The local player was responsible for the next, and by winning the eighth, a close game, secured, the second set and the match. Both players put in some fine strokes, and manv excellent rallies were witnessed. Miss Nicholson was especially good in backhand play.

driving hard and clean. She played well to the back-line, but did not giv« her opponent much running about. Mins Sirap&o&’s service was very good, but her opponent was quite equal to the pace. She tired during the second OTHER MATCHES. Handicap Doubles: Miss Nicholson «nd Patterson beat Mrs, Biss and Beg. Biss, 6—5, 6—X Ladies' Handicap Doubles: Mesdamea Gentles and News 11 beat the Misses Stewart, 6—3. 5—6. 6—2. The final for the men’s ehampionship singles between Laishley (of Wellington) and Peacock (of Auckland) was commenced shortly before three p.m. to-day. The final for the Men’s Championship Singles was bring played this afternoon between Mr Pexeoeke (Auckland), and Mr Laishley (Wellington). The first set went to Peaeocke, 6—2. and when we went to press the games in the second set were Laishley 3. Peacoeke 2. Peacock won the second set at 6—4, and by winning the thiiQ at 7 —5 secured the championship. Ladies* Championship Doubles.— Misses Nunnelly and -Van Aseh beat the Misses Simpson. 6—2. 6—o. Combined Championship Doubles.— Miss Neville and Stomer beat Mrs and Mr Goldie. 6—3, 6—l. Ladies* Handicap Doubles.—Miss Mowbray and Mrs Gord beat Mrs Cooper and Miss Harvey. 6—5, 5—6, 6—l; Misses Van Asch and Xunnelly beat the Misses Gorrie (2), 6 —o. 6—l. Ladies' Handicap Singles.—Miss Nunnelly beat Mrs Biss. 6—3, 6 —4. Next week's issue will contain a detailed criticism of Monday's play.