LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 18, 2 November 1910, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

WELLINGTON.

(By

Romulus.)

Results of Last Saturday’s Senior Matches. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. Saturday. Thorndon defeated Muritai by five rubbers to one (10 sets to 21. 66 games to 37. Last year’s champions, though weakened by the absence of Young and Smythe, easily defeated the newest aspirants for senior honours, the second! double being the only rubber lost. Swanston v. Nagle, 6—l, 6—l ; Peacock v. Wright, 6—2, 6 —l; Carter v. Lewis, 6 —o, 6 —5; Putnam v. Jones, 6—4, o—3; Swanston and Peacock v. Nagle and J.ewis, 6: —5, 6—3; Carter and Putnam v. Wright and Jones. 4—6, 2—6. Victoria College defeated Wellington 11. by five rubbers to one (10 sets to 3), 73 games to 40. Eller and Jeffrey failed unexpectedly in their singles, but had their revenge in the double. Cleghorn (V.C.) again showed excellent form, and on this occasion secured a win. lie promises to be one of the most successful players of the season. Wilson v.' Eller. 6—4, o—s;0 —5; Beers v. Jeffrey. 6-—4. o—3;0 —3; Cleghorn v. McLean, 6—2. 6—5: Smith v. Dr. Isaacs, 6—l. 6—o; Wilson and Beers v. Eller and Jeffrey, 3—6. s—o; Cleghorn and Smith, v. McLean and Isaacs, 6—l, s—o, o—3. Brougham Hill defeated Hutt, three rubbers all (seven sets to six. 75 games to 61). Cornell and Ward (Hutt) combined splendidly in their.double, and put up a very fine performance in defeating Laishley and Hunter. 6 —2. o—3, Laishley v. Hawkins, 4 —o, 5 —6; H. V. Howe V. Cornell, 4 —6. 6 —l, 5—6; Hunter v. Ward, 6—4. 6—3; J. A. B. Howe v. Callender. 6 —5, 6 —4; Laishley and Hunter v. Cornell anil Ward, 2 —6, 3—6; Howe Bros. v. Hawkins and Callender, 6 —5, «—O. LADIES’ COMPETITION.

Thorndon defeated Victoria College by 5 rubbers .to 1 (10 sets to 2), 69 games to 30. Miss Nunneley v. Miss Van Staveren, 6 —l, 6—-1; Miss Batham V. •Miss (Scott, 6—3, 6—l; Mrs Holmes v. Miss Mclntosh, 6—o, 6 —3; Miss Turton V. Miss Tennent, 5 —6, 4—6; Miss Nunneley and Batham v. Misses Van Staveren and Scott, 6—2, 6 —2; Mrs Holmes and Miss Turton v. Misses Mclntosh and Tennent, o—4, 6—l. Brougham Hill defeated Wellington IT. by 5 rubbers to 1 (ten sets to 4), 73 games to 47: Miss Morgan v. Miss Atmore, ti—3, 4—6. 6—4; Miss Archer v. Miss Francis, 6—o, 6—3; Mrs W. E. Howe v. Miss Webb, 3—6, I—6; Miss Davis v. .Miss Kirk er, 6—l, 6 —3; Misses Morgan and’ Archer v. Misses Atmore and Webb? 5 —6. 6 —l. 6—l: Mrs Howe and Miss Davis v. Misses Francis and Kirker. 6-—3, 6-—4, Comments on Opening Matches (22nd October). MEN’S A GRADE. Wellington I defeated Hutt by five rubbers to one (ten sets to four, 79 games to 50). The principal features of this match were the Brown-Hawkiiis and J. S. Wilson-Cornell singles. In the former rubber a very elose finish resulted. Brown winning in three sets: 4—6, 6—4, 6—5. Cornell and Wilson also had an exciting match, but the younger player (Cornell), who. by the way, was taking part in his first senior match, did the trick in two sets: 6—5, 6—5. Ward ( Hutt) . showed good form, and took a set from, Salmond, liesides assisting Cornell to make a creditable showing in the first double against Brown and Salmond, who won: 6—3, 6—5. Brougham Hill defeated Victoria College by five rubbers to one (11 sets to four, 8t) games to 63). Three of the four singles in this match ran into three sets, tlu* other resulting in an easy win for Hunter over Beere: 6—l, 6—2. Cleghorn and Smith (the latter of whom is Wellington’s nominee for the 1910 Rhodes scholarship) made a promising start in this season’s matches. In the double they made things interesting for 11. V. and J. A. B. Howe, who just won: 6 —5, 6—5. Cleghorn also ran the latter a very even three-set match, but, after winning the first at 6 —4, was forced to submit to defeat by a similar margin

in the two concluding sets. Smith scored College’s only win. defeating Dart (substitute for Laishley) ; 5—6, 6—2, 6—5. LADIES’ A GRADE. The principal match was the meeting between Brougham Hill and Victoria College, the former winning by four rubbers to one and one unfinished (nine sets.to four, 69 games to 53). Miss van Staveren. as was the case with D. S. Smith in the men’s match, was responsible for her side’s only winning effort, but two rubbers took three sets to decide. Miss Scott failing against Miss Archer (6 —5, 4 —6. 6—3), whilst the latter and Miss Morgan atoned for Miss Morgan’s defeat by Miss van Staveren by taking revenge in the first double: 6 —5, 4—6, 6—4. MEN’S B GRADE. Outstanding individual efforts in this grade were those of: Loughnan (Victoria College), in putting up a good fight against Sampson (Brougham Hill), who beat him ft—s. 6 —3; Andrews (Petone), in defeating Kirk (Hutt) 6 —5, 6—4; whilst Brown, in the same match, was the only player to win a rubber for Hutt, Austin losing to him 6 —3, 5 —6, 6—3; Swinburne (Trinity), in defeating Rutherford (Victoria College) 6 —3, 6—5. LADIES’ B GRADE. The star match was the meeting of Petone and Brougham Hill, the two strongest teams in the competition, the suburbanites getting home by four rubbers to two, 36 games to 26. The singles resulted as follows, Petone winning both doubles: Miss Bennett v. Miss Rothschild 2—7, Miss D. Caverhill v. Miss Hayes 7—4, Miss O. Caverhill v. Miss Williams 6 7, Miss Walters v. Mrs. Sampson 7 —2. FIRST-GRADE TENNIS. There are twelve teams taking part in this season’s first-grade tennis, seven in the men’s competition and five an -the ladies’. Of the 48 players engaged (teams consisting of four aside)’ only three are new to senior tennis, F. J. Cornell (Hutt), P. B. Wright, and T. H. Jones (.Muritai), they having been rugmbers of clubs competing in junior tetjhis last season. -The first-named plo;er made a successful debut on Satur’.Jay week, when he scored a line win against J. S. Wilson (Wellington), whilst the Muritai colts were to face the music against Thorndon (last season’s champions) on Saturday, probably Peacock and Young). Those at present composing the various teams are:— MEN’S COMPETITION. Brougham Hill.—F. R. Laishley, J. Hunter, H. V. and J. A. B. Howe, and J. W. M. Dart (substitute). Hutt.—L. W. Hawkins, F. J. Cornell, T. L. Ward, F. B. Green. Muritai— It. H. Nagle, P. B. Wright, F. A. Lewis, T. H. Jones. Thorndon.—R. N. K. Swanston, J. C. Peacock, G. Smythe, A. Young. Victoria College—*F. P. Wilson, R. H. J. Beere. G. M. Cleghorn, D,.S. Smith. : Wellington Ists.—H. W. Brown, J. S. Wilson, E. Salmond, A. W. MeNicol. Wellington 2nds. — F. Eller, C. A. Jeffery, S. Paterson, J. McLean. . F . • LADIES’ COMPETITION. Brougham Hill.—Misses Morgan, Archer, Davis, Mis. W. E. Howe. Thorndon.—Misses Nunneley, Batham, Mrs. Holmes, Misses Butterworth, Simpson. ' ' ‘ ■ Victoria College.—Misses Von Staveren, Scott, Melntosh. Wellington Ists.—-Misses Travers, Williams, Clock, Mrsl Goldie, 1 Wellington 2nds.—Misses Dimant, Roberts, Atmore, Webb, Francis. Inter-Club Items. The association has introduced a new scheme of inter-clnb tennis for this season’s matches. Briefly, the idea is as follows:—Separate competitions for wen and ladies, the men’s competitions being played in four grades (A, B, C, D), and ■the ladies in three grades (A, B, C). Each team in grades of both competitions consists of four players, all of whom play one single and a double. The opening ' matches eventuated on Saturday, 22nd inst., and the only objection to an otherwise • popular innovation in the difficulty experienced by the

ladies in managing their matches and doing their own umpiring, but after a few Saturdays things will probably run more smoothly. Hutt, the winner of last season’s junior championship, has entered* for. first grade honours and has a very even team, which will win more matches than it wilt lose. P. W. Jackson, " a well-known player, has unfortunately retired front the game, and he will be greatly missed, as it was largely owing to his capability as a player that the club (of which he was captain) was so successful in last season’s matches. The C grade fixture in the ladies’ competition, St. John’s and Trinity, played on Saturday week, furnished a rather remarkable result. Matches in this grade consist of six sets (or rubbers) of 7 games up; but the instructions forwarded to clubs contained the wording “best of thirteen games,” which, of course, is the same thing. The captains of the above two teams carried out the instruction literally, with the result that thirteen games were actually played in the whole six rubbers, which were won by St. John’s, the games totalling to 57 for the winners, whereas it is really only possible to score 42. The details are appended:— LADIES’ COMP ETITIO NS. C GRADE. St. John’s defeated Trinity by six rubbers to nil, 57 games to 21. Miss Tavendale v. Miss D’Emden, 9— 4; Miss Horrell v. Mrs. Smart, Il —2; Miss Wilson v. Miss Gamble, B—s;8 —5; Miss Clyde v. Miss Henderson, 9 —4; Misses Tavendale and Horrell v. Miss D’Emden and Mrs. Smart, B—s;8 —5; Misses Wilson and Clyde v. Misses Gamble and Henderson, 12—1. Personal. Mi* A. J. Petherick, publie accountant. Wellington, has been appointed! secretary of the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association, but will not be called upon to carry out the executive duties at N.Z. championships at Blenheim at Christmas. Mr. W. J. Organ, (Rona Bay), wellknown in the Empire City for his enthusiasm in all matters appertaining to sport, especially in connection with hockey, tennis, and Cricket, has severed his conn ction with the firm of Bolton an I 'Ofgan, to commence on his own account the practice of his profession, barrister and solicitor. His large circle of friends wish him success in his new enterprise as he has always proved himself a keen business man and a good fellow. The New Zealand and Canterbury Liwn Tennis Associations are both minus the services, this year, of the two gentlemen who for many years have filled the respective secretarial positions. The vacancies caused by the retirement of Messrs. G. N. Goldie and Eric Taylor will probably never be filled so satisfactorily as when they were in office, and tennis generally will be the poorer for the loss of these two proved and energetic officials. The former was voted an honorarium at the. annual meeting of the New Zea'and Association, held on Friday, 14th October and is later to be presented with an illuminated address. Miss Butterworth, a Canterbury representative player, is now resident in Wellington, and will play for the Thorndon Club in the senior competition. J. S. Wilson, the well-known Wellingtonian, leaves the district shortly to enter into business at Blenheim. 'He is one of the most popular players in the province, and will be greatly missed by his many friends. General. The official openings (with the corresponding functions) of the various clubs eventuated as follow:—September 24, Madeley (Island Bay); September 26, Khandallah; October 1, Wellington and Hutt; October 8, Newton, Petone, Karori and Kilburnie; October 15, Bidwill-street and Oriental; October 22, Thorndon and Muritai.

The New Zealand championships have Ibeen offered to the Marlborough Association, and if that body undertakes *to run the meeting and guarantee the secretarial duties the 1910 championships will start at Blenheim on Boxing Day. Why should the Marlborough secretary have to conduct the tournament when the N.Z.L.T.A. has actually decided upon a paid secretary, who is to receive a •bonus for carrying out the executive work at championship meetings? Canterbury and Otago are indignant over the rule passed at the annual meeting of the N.Z. Lawn Tennis Association relative to the representation question and the paid secretaryship. Talk of se-

cession is mooted, Jnit if malcontents suc-ceed-in breaking up the N.Z. Association it is a eertatoty there will be no cup contest in Wellington next year.

AUCKLAND.

Auckland Club. . ... The Auckland Club's courts, .presented an animated appearance with the numerous .presence ot tennis ami eroqnet players. The ceremony of formally opening the courts was performed by Mr. L. J. Bagnall. Mayor of Auckland, who mentioned that many years ago he took a prominent part in establishing a sucessful club at the Thames, but was now too much of a veteran to participate in the game. He was glad to see that tenuis was such a popular game in the Diiuinion, and thgt 'in Wilding and Parker New Zealand had playets who could successfully compete with the world's champions. Mr. Milnes, treasurer, remarked that in view of the probability of the closing of that portion of the Domain it was reassuring to know that the Tennis Club would have the sympathies of the Mayor when provision was being made for other giounds. The Mayor replied that the courts would not be interfered with for a season or two, and certainly not before due provision was made for courts as good as the club at present possessed. The ladies provided afternoon tea. The courts were in good condition* aud some excellent tenuis was played Parnell Club. A large crowd of members and visitors attended at the Parnell courts, which were formally declared open in air appropriate speech by Professor Seagar. He mentioned that the courts were in better condition this season than they ever had been during the 37 years the club had been in existence, and that as the negotiations for the Domain courts weie definitely oil' a scheme ot improvements in connection with the ground would be undertaken. He extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. Mrs. Seagar provided afternoon tea. Excellent play was witnessed during the afternoon. The membership is again large this season, and the list will probably be closed in a week or so. West End Clnb. The West End Club's season was opened by tile president. Mr. C. H. Jones, who complimented the club on the good state in which be found its courts. He wished that some of the younger members could have seen the court some 20 years ago, when lie. and others spent much time in forming and levelling it. lie himself hail given up tennis and taken to the old man's game of bowls, but he hoped to try his hand at it once or twice during the coming season. He then declared tin* courts open. Afternoon tea was provided by lady members and friends, aud play was keenly taken up by members and several representatives of other clubs. North Shore Club. The official opening of the North Shore Club's courts was altogether successful front everybody's point of view. The courts were in first-class order, and. although there was a very large attendance of players, most of them were able to get as much tennis as they cared for. The weather was perfect, which suited others liesides the players, and all who were on Hie grounds enjoyed themselves thoroughly*. GISBORNE. The opening of the 1910-11 Tenuis season at the Gisborne courts took place on Saturday week in ideal weather, a large number of members and visitors attending. The club has had a number of alterations to the pavilion and grounds, the courts being in capital order. Competitions commence almost at once at this club. New Zealand Tennis Association. THREATEN ED SECESSI ON. Mr. A. J. Petherick, of Wellington, has been appointed secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association out of 15 applicants. The association carried the following resolution: —“That this association confer with the Otago and Auckland associations with reference to obtaining recision of the rule relating to the question of representation of the New Zealand Association and a paid secretary recently passed, and that, failing to obtain such recision, this association secede from the New Zealand Association.”