The Tennis Tournament.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue II, 9 January 1904, Page 36

The Tennis Tournament.

MISSES GORRIE WIN THE LADIES’ DOUBLES. PARKER WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. NAPIER, December 30. The lawn tennis championships were concluded to-day in weather not quite so favourable as the preceding days. in the morning there was a disagreeable crosswind which interfered with the play considerably, but in the afternoon it died down, and the finals were fought out under perfect conditions. Parker and Laishley met Cox and Gore in the morning in the championship doubles, and a stubbornly-fought battle was the result. Cox played brilliantly at times, and Gore played a safe game, lobbing repeatedly to the back of the court with great effect. I’arker and Laishley, who were in the piuk of condition, gradually warmed up to their game, and eventually won by three sets to one. Parker’s smashes in the latter part of the game were absolutely deadly and Laishley came to light whenever called on, some of his returns at the net being very tine. The event of the afternoon was of course the tinal of the championship singles, which was decided between Parker and Peacock, the former winning three sets to one. in the first set Peacock got going at a great rate, winning the first three games, but after Parker was warmed up he rapidly overhauled his opponent, and on the conclusion of the first set the result was never in doubt. Parker was in great form, repeatedly passing his opponent when he ran into the net, and his shots found the lines nearly ( very time. Although Peacock was in good physical condition and did not show distress at the end of a hard-fought three sets, yet the winner gave a lively example of what careful training, plus plenty of hard practice on the courts, can effect. In the ladies' championship Miss Nunneley met Miss Gore in the final, and gave a splendid exhibition of placing and hard driving. At the same time her play suffered somewhat from the effects of a strain her arm had sustained in practice. This militated to some extent against a perfect display. but the game was eagerly watched by numbers who had been following up the event. Miss Gore played a good losing game, and with careful practice and development of her volleying powers should be able to win the championship soon. The final of the ladies’ championship doubles was fought out between the Misses Gorrie, of Auckland, and Mrs Marchbanks and Miss Gore, of Wellington, and resolved itself into an interprovincial contest. It was the most stubbornly-contested event in the tournament, the winners being in doubt until the last rally had been won. The Wellington pair were tired by their previous exertions, but the Aucklanders’ steadiness and accuracy succeeded in winning the match for them. Miss Pearl Gorrie’s volleying at the net suffered in contrast with the vigour of Miss Gore’s smashes, but there is no doubt that ladies’ matches would

be much more interesting, from a spectator’s point of view, were all the players to attempt even an occasional volley. The combined championships were won by Parker and Miss Nuuueley, who played successively Adams and Miss Powdrell and Goss and Mrs Ballantyne. The former was the more interesting match of the two, but Parker, who had evidently benefited by his game with Peacock, and his partner were too much for their opponents, winning comfortably. Miss Powdrell is evidently inexperienced in this class of game, but played

some very good strokes, several times beating Parker, who had rashly run into the net. The final was somewhat tamely fought, the runners having had all the best of the draw ami manifestly being outclassed by the wiuuers. , Men's Handicap Singles (first grade).— Final: Tyser (receives 36) beat Redward (receives 32), 70—13. Men’s Handicap Singles (second grade).— Final: J. G. Swainston (receives 16) beat R. J. Coates (s rat !ii 7i» 61. Ladies’ Handicap Singles. Final: Miss

Braithwaite (receives 26) beat Miss Nevill (receives 28), 50—43. Men’s Handicap Doubles.—Final: Tipping and Margoliouth (receive 30) beat Vaile and Brown (receive 20), 7u 03. Ladies' Handicap Doubles. Final: Miss Cotte rill and Miss Heath (receive 36) beat Miss Rutherford and Miss Dalzell (receive 28), 50 -23. Combined Handicap Doubles. Final: Margoliouth and Miss Berkeley (receive 24) beat Logan and Miss Cotterill (receive 34) 70—47.