LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 5, 3 February 1909, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Inter-club Tournament. The inter-club contest has closed, leaving West End the winner by 4 points from Eden and Epsom. Parnell’s score in the first men’s and second combined against the winning club reduced the lead by 8 points. The contest was very close, and, strangely enough, if Mt. Eden had won one more game in a certain match they would have topped the score by one point, for in the 4th round Billing and Miss Buttle led by one set and were 5 all in the next, when they met Hunt and Miss Cooper, though they lost the match eventually.- Five points were in issue, so things could- hardly have been more interestingly close. There is a feeling tna-t inter-club mat lies interfere a good deal with the continuity of club play, and some of the larger clubs, at any rate, are glad when they can settle down to enjoy themselves in their own way on their own grounds. With the possible advent of one or two more contestants next season, it might be worth while considering whether the premiership should not be decided in the same way as ordinary tournament matches are played—that is to say, on the “sudden death” principle. The best club would win, as heretofore, but would have to play three matches instead of

five as at present. It is to be hoped that an opportunity of voting on the question will be taken at the next meeting of delegates to the Auckland Association. A good deal can certainly be urged against the change in the interests of the progress of the game. The present system affords weaker clubs an opportunity of meeting stronger players and learning something from their methods, still players join a tennis club principally for their own enjoyment, and one can hardly blame them for advocating a course which gives them the maximum amount of pleasurable play during the season. Doubles at New Plymouth. Wilding and Fisher were expected to win the doubles rather easily at New Plymouth recently in the final round of the Taranaki championships, against Parker and Brown (Wellington). Parker, however, appears to have played one of those games which made some critics advocate his inclusion in the Davis Cup team some time ago, while his partner played a solid game, and kept his end well up. Fisher, of course, is peculiarly erratic. He nearly always goes for brilliance, with a good admixture of something to make the spectators interested. His height and strength enable liiua often to make some overpowering shots, but he lacks steadiness. The following account from the ‘ 'Taranaki Herald” gives an interesting description of the match. The Parker who played in this match was a very different player from the Parker who had been seen in other games this season. The writer had never seen him play such a game in doubles- not even when he and Cox beat Wilding and Heath at Christchurch. He followed in the service well, generally getting close enough to make a hard volley off the return. His return to his opponents’ services were almost always quick, well-placed and low, so that time and again the enemy was forced to volley the ball upwards, giving Parker or Brown the chance to kill; and if Parker got a ball anywhere above his shoulder, he smashed it superbly. Whether he was at the back of the court or close to the net he smashed vigorously; and every smash was true and placed to an inch. Only once, as far as the writer can remember, did he fail with a possible smash, and that, strangely, was when he wanted the point to win the match. In addition, Parker was wonderfully quick at the net. darting across at times with excellent judgment and volleying sharply. TTis partner. Brown, opened poorly, but he seemed to become inspired by Parker’s good play, and made him an ex- < k eHent second. In the last two sets his play was distinctly better than Fisher’s, though, of course, not equal to Wilding's or Parker’s. He made some splendid winning shots on his own initiative; when placed on the defensive he generally obeyed Parker’s call, and carried out his work well. However. Wilding and Fisher won the first set, B—o. It was in Hie second set that Parker’s clever tactics ami Brown's good play began to tell. Two games were won in this set off Wilding’s service. About the middle of the «et Fisher went right off his game. Parker and Brown won the set. o—2.0 —2. In the deciding set, Parker and Brown got a good lead, four games to two, .and Parker serving. But Fisher was doing better, and Wilding* was encouraging him. Parker lost on his service badly. 4 3. Parker and Brown got the next game, and were within a point of winning the game off Brown’s service when Parker smashed the ball into the net. the game was saved, and Wilding and Fisber drew level. The odd game went to Parker and Brown, and again they were within a point of gaining the match. Thon “Six oil” was called. And so on. Parker and Brown each time gaining the odd game and their opponent* nulling the match out of the fire bv timely tricks. At length Fisher nlaved a weak service game, when his onnnnents were leading. B—7, and the opportnnitv was seized. Parker and Brown winning game, set and match.