LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 19, 9 November 1910, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

By

ROMULUS.)

WELLINGTON. Results of Last Saturday's Senior Matches. MEN’S COMPETITION. WELLINGTON, Saturday. Thorndon defeated Victoria College by 5 rubbers to 1 (10 sets to 3), 71 games to 52. At one stage things did not look too rosy for Thorndon, weakened by the absence of Peacock and Young. Both of the last two singles appeared to be good things for the College, but, though Smith won against Putnam, Cleghorn failed eventually to Carter, whose experience pulled him through. Swanston ■V. F. P. Wilson, 6—3, 6—2; Smythe V. Beere, 6—o, 6—5; Carter v. Cleghorn, 3—6, 6—5, 6—3; Putnam v. Smith, 5—6, 3—6. Swanston and Smythe v. iWilson and Beere, 6—5, 6—3;' Carter and Putnam v. Cleghorn and Smith, .6,— 3, 6—5,

Lower Hutt defeated Muritai by four rubbers to two (8 sets to 5), 57 games to 52. The meeting of last year’s cup reps, provided an even contest, which Muritai would have won had Wright played up to form. He was really unlucky in losing to the much-vaunted Cornell, as, after starting three games down in the final set he led 5—4 with his own service to follow, but could not win then iwith the odds all in his favour. Jones ,won his single, but had nothing to beat. Callender played a fine game in his double. Nagle and Lewis are combining well, and defeated the crack double, Cornell and Ward. Hawkins v. Nagle, 6—l, 6 —3? Cornell v. Wright, 6—3, I—6* 6— 5; Ward v. Lewis, 6—4. 6—4; Callender v. Jones, 4—6, I—6; Cornell and (Ward v. Nagle and Lewis, 2—6, 3 4 ((Hutt retired) ; Hawkins and Callender y. -Wright and Jones, 6—3. 6—l Wellington I. defeated Wellington 11. py hve rubbers to nil, and one unfinished J(ll shts to 1), 74 games to 42. Eller for tfiie second team, played a remarkably fine game, and it was only lack of experience which prevented him from Winning the first set from H. W. Brown, Wljoil leading. 5—2. His service and driving were the features of an attractive display, and he deserves great credit for his showing. Partnered by Jeffrey, the same player also did well in the’ first double won by Brown and Salmond. Hill and Grant, the respective bottom men, are too weak for first-grade tennis, but MeCaul, late of Wanganui, will do well later. Brown v. Eller, 6 5 6—l; Salmond v. Jeffrey, 6—2, 6-2-Wilson v. MeCaul, 6—2,' 6—4; Hill v. Grant, 3—6, 6—4, 6—3; Brown and Salmond v. Eller and Jeffrey, f—3 6 5 • Wilson and Hill v. MeCaul and’Grant, •—4, 6—2 (unfinished). T LADIES' COMPETITION.

Wellington Ist defeated Victoria, College by five rubbers to one (Il sets to ®)» 69 games to 37. Wellington only lost one rubber. Hisses Travers and Cock retiring after the first game was played in the final set of their double. Their opponents, Misses Scott and Mcln'tosh, did well to take a set, but even with the first game in could hardly have won the rubber. Miss Travers v. Miss Scott, 6—l, 6 1; Miss Cock v. Miss Mclntosh, 6 4, G—3; Mrs. Goldie v. Miss Tennent, 6—2, 6—5; Miss Atmore v. Miss KersJake, 6—2, 6—4; Misses Travers and Cock v. Misses Scott, and Mclntosh, 3—6, 6 2, 6—l; Mrs. Goldie and Miss Atmore v. Miss Tennant and Kerslake, 6—3, J 6—4 (Wellington retired). Thorndon defeated Brougham Hill by six rubbers to nil (12 sets to 1), 77 games to 31. Mrs. W. E. Howe and Miss Archer made a creditable showing in their singles and double with Mrs. Holmes and Miss Batham, but the remainder of the Brougham Hill team scored only five games altogether in •three rubbers (six acts); Miss Bat-ham v. Miss Archer 5-6, 6-1, 6-3, Mrs. Holmes v. Mrs. Howe 6-5, 6-3, Miss Butterworth v. Miss Davis 6-1, 6-1, Miss Turton v. Mrs. Sampson 60, 0 0, Mias Batham and Mrs. Holmes v. Miss Archer and Mrs. Howe 6-5, 6-3, Misses Butterworth and Turton v. Miss Davis and Mrs. Sampson 6-1, 6-2.

Comments on Senior Matches (October 29). With the exception of Thorndon and Wellington I. (at their full strength) the remaining five teams in the Men’s “ A ” Grade are fairly evenly matched, and the various rounds should provide some interesting finishes. Hutt, with a slightly weaker team (on paper) than on the previous Saturday, almost defeated Brougham Hill’s strongest four, each side winning three rubbers, though the city team scored seven sets to six. Cornell again demonstrated his right to compete, in senior tennis by beating H. V. Howe in a very even ’three set match (6 —4, 4—6, 6—5), but the closeness of the victory does not detract from its merit, as Howe is one of the most awkward customers to meet in Wellington. The most remarkable rubber of the match was the first double in which Laishley and Hunter, players of reputation, were handsomely beaten by Cornell and Ward, the Hutt colts displaying combination of a high order winning as they liked at 6—2, 6—3. Callendar replaced Green in the Hutt team, but although he has earned a trial, is not quite experienced enough yet to Win matches. Howe (J. A. B.) defeated him in two straight sets, a similar fate befalling Ward at the hands of Hunter, the respective scores reading:—Hunter v. Ward, 6—4, 6—3; Howe v. Callender, 6—5, 6—4.

The remaining single, that between the two top men, Laishley and Hawkins, was won by the Hutt player, 6 —4, 6 —5. He is reported to be shamed by the fine exhibitions recently given by Cornell and Ward, and.has expressed his intention of remodelling his style—it certainly isn’t a pretty one. Wellington 11., weakened, by the ab-sence.-of Paterson, suffered a , severe defeat by. Victoria College, chiefly owing to the inability of Eller, Jeffrey and McLean to win their singles. Indeed, in none of the three rubbers did the contests exceed the two straight sets, Wilson (E, p'), Beere and Cleghorn all having the better of their respective matches, though Beere’s tennis was a good deal below the form expected of a player with his experience as a senior player. Wellington’s only win was the result of the improved showing of Eller and Jeffrey in their double against Wilson and Beere, the Collegians failing to maintain the superiority indicated by the result of their singles, the colts winning, 6—3, 6—5. Strangely enough, the Thorndon-Muri-tai match produced an almost similar result to the fixture referred to in the preceding paragraph. The suburbanites who were taking part for their first time in big tennis, failed very badly in the four singles,' Nagle, Lewis and Jones displaying ability little, if anything, superior to “B” form. The .'doubles were more evenly contested. Nagle and Lewis, of course, had no possible chance of getting home against .Swanston and Peacock, though they ran the first set to 5 all (6 —5, 6-7-3). Last year’s cup men, Wright and Jones, continued in a winning mood as a double combination, and somewhat atoned for their poor exhibition earlier in the day by defeating Carter and Putnam, 6—4, 6-—2. The latter did not appear to be much concerned about the fate of the rubber. LADIES’ COMPETITION. Wellington 11. were too weak at the bottom of their team to do much against Brougham Hill; but Misses Atmore and Webb in their three rubbers scored the same number of sets as the opposition. Miss Webb was successful in the straight sets against Mrs. Howe (6 —3, 6—l), but although Miss Atmore took part in two three-set matches, she was the loser in both. Miss Morgan won her single, 6—3, 4—6, fl —4, whilst the Brougham Hill double (Misses Morgan and Archer) finished very strongly, 5—6, 6—l, 6—l.

Without Miss Tennent’s win against Miss Turton (6 —5. 6—4), Victoria College would 'have made a remarkably poor showing against Thorndon. The V.C. player won 12 of the whole 30 games

ecored by her side, leaving on+y 18 games for the other five rubbers to produce. Misses Nunneley, Batham and Mrs. Holmes all had easy victories for Thorndon in the singles. Personal. The Wellington Association is fortunate in having secured the services of Mr ■E. Salmond on its management committee for the season. He is an enthusiast in all matters relating to the sport, and his experience on the New Zealand Association should be a valuable asset to the local body. Salmond is identical with the player of that name who, together with C. G. White, was many times doubles ehampion of Otago. He is very popular in tennis circles in the city, and plays for the Wellington Club in its inter-club engagements. Pour well-known players of the younger brigade, Sheppard (Wellington), Clarke (Wellington), Howden (Hutt), and Powell (Newtown) are, for various reasons, unable to appear in the current season’s competitions. Sheppard and Clarke are both away from Wellington, the former in Christchurch and the latter in Waihi. Howden is just convalescent after a long and serious illness, while Powell leaves shortly to take up farming pursuits in the Waikanae district. Of the four, the first-named is the only one likely to play much tennis this year, and is bound to make a name for himself in the Canterbury lawn tennis world.

G. S. Prouse has arrived in England, where he will spend about six months there and on the Continent. He put in a month in the Argentine en route, and had some tennis at Buenos Ayres. He also took part in a tournament shortly after his arrival in the Old Country, and as he intends to play W’henever opportunity' occurs, should be a greatly- improved player when he next appears in 'Wellington. G. Smythe (Thorndon made his first appearance in the matches on Saturday last, as he has been absent from the city for a week on an excursion up the Wanganui River. Like the majority of players he has not yet struck form," but he generally manages to get good practice, and if he feels satisfied later on will make one of the Wellington contingent attending the N.Z. Championships at Blenheim. H. Ponanga, who toured Australia with the Maori Rugby- footballers, is blossoming out as a tennis player. He is a member of the Hutt “C” grade team, and for two consecutive Saturdays has been the only- man on his side to win a rubber, scoring in his single on both occasions.

E. R. Kirk (Hutt), son of R. C. Kirk, at one time a very able exponent of the game, has shown great improvement (since (the season started, and it behoves the Hutt selectors to consider whether it would not be advisable to give him first shingle in the “B” grade team in preference to A. B. Brown, who sadly- lacks condition. . . , Club Items. The Palmerston Lawn Tennis Club intends to hold its annual tournament during the New Year holidays. The initial meeting held last year was a great success, and with such sc capable secretaryas Mr. J. T. Pickett to organise the tournament it will undoubtedly pan out quite as satisfactory again. . / The Pahiatua Club has elected the following officers for the ensuing year:—• President, Mr. Tosswill; vice-presidente, Messrs. Burgess, S. Bolton, D. Crewe and J. Osburne, Lilly; hon. secretary, Mr. J. Swainson; hon. treasurer, Mr. Eceleton; hon. auditor, Mr. J. V. Howard; management committee, Messrs. Chambers, W. E. Collins, Eceleton, Ulrich and Reeves. The Master Club opened its season about a fortnight ago, when there was a large attendance of members and friends. The courts were in excellent order and prospects for the year are of the brightest. General The executive of the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association is constituted as follows for the 1910-11 season: —R. St. J. Beere, Chairman (Victoria College); (E. Salmond (Wellington); F. P. Wilson (Victoria College); C. A. Lawrenee (Brougham Hill); A. G. Duncan (Petone); A. G. Henderson (Karori); J. McDowell (Victoria College); D. M. Kean (hon. secretary); J. W. Barclay (hon. treasurer).

Newtown was the only senior dub to offer any opposition- to the new system of inter-club competitions, and ss * re- ' suit the ciub fof the first time in many years is not represented in the weekly contests. Two of its members, Nagle and Lewis, joined the Muritai Club, -which was thus enabled to compete in first-grade tennis for the first season in its existence, and at the same time retain the services of Wright, who had intended joining Newtown to get into the senior team. The retiring committee of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association (Professor T. A. Hunter, Messrs. F. R. Laishley (chairman), J. C. Peacock, A. Young, E. Salmond, R. N. K. Swanston. and G. A t Hurley) had such a buffeting from some of the Provincial Associations during its term of office that none of the members were very- keen about nomination ■for re-election, and at present the government of the sport in New Zealand is in the hands of a provisional committee (Messrs. Beere, Fisher, Gore, Dart, J. S. Wilson, Gray, and Hurley) until gentlemen enthusiastic enough are found to accept office permanently. In view of the consternation in Christchurch over Davis Cup affairs, it is about time headquarters were shifted south, in order tor give the Canterbury people an opportunity to do something for tennis, instead of eternally agitating.

AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND V. DEVONPORT. The challenge match between Auckland and Devonport, to decide which should remain in the first grade, was decided on Saturday, and resulted in a win on games for Auckland by 96 to 85, though the same number of sets w-as scored by each team. On the Auckland lawns ’vantage sets were played, and short sets at Devonport, but the result is not affected if the score is reckoned on short sets only. As a result of the match Auckland plays in first grade this season, and' Devonport in second. Following are the details: — Men’s, “A.”—Rainger and Robson (D.) 1 , beat Milnes andi Johns (A.), 6—l, 11—9, B—6. Ladies’ “A.”—Mrs Allen and Miss F. Woodroffe (A.) beat Mrs Cooper and Miss Harvey (D.), 6—4, 6—l, 3 —6.’ Combined “A.”— Snelling and Miss Mace (A.) beat Macky and Miss Philcox (D.), 6—2, 6—l, 6—2. Men’s “B.”—Webster and McKay ‘(A.)' beat Rev. Sutton and Whittaker (D.), 6—3, 6—2, 6—5. Ladies’ “B.”—Mrs MeAra and Miss Stewart (D.) beat Mrs Colson and Miss Calvert (A.), 3—6, 6—5, 6—5. Combined “B.” —Buddle and Miss Whittaker (D.) beat A. J. Blaek and Miss H. Woodroffe (A.) 6—4, 6—4, 7—5. BIRKENHEAD AND NORTHCOTE. The opening of the Birkenhead and Northcote Club’s season took place on Saturday afternoon, the ceremony- being performed by Mr A. E. H. Harrison, in the absence of the president (Dr. Player). St. Helier’s Bay Club. The second annual meeting of the St. Helier’s Bay Tennis Club was held in the Tamaki West Road Board Offices on 2nd November last. .Owing to the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. Brown was voted to the chair. The office was severely taxed to accommodate the large and enthusiastic numbers of residents who attended the meeting. The following officers were elected :—President, Mr. J Massey ;■ secretary, Mr. Smith; treasurer, Mr; J. A McColl; committee—Rev. Wilson, Misses Jacobsen. Wyllie and Wright and Messrs. H. Wright, Smith, J. McColl, J. Brown; auditor, re-elected. ROTORUA. A meeting of the Rotorua Tennis Club for the election of officers for the coming season was held last Thursday evening, and was rather sparsely attended. The fact that there are only three lawns available for tennis players in the ■Sanatorium gardens was commented upon. It 'is a thing that should be remedied, as there is dissatisfaction expressed every, season by both visitors and local players. Accommodation for only twelva players is absurd in a place like Rotorua. Of course there are the winter courts of asphalt, but the heat upon Wiese i* simply ■unbearable in the summer months, and they are little used. The opening day for tennis .has beeo arranged for Wednesday, the 9th insk