LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 21, 23 November 1910, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

ROMULUS.)

WELLINGTON. Results of Saturday's Senior Matches. MEN’S COMPETITION. Owing to the death of the father of H. V. and J. A. B. Howe, the Brougham. Hill Club was unable to meet its senior engagement with Thorndon. The match, ■will therefore be played, at the end of the round. Wellington I. defeated Muritai by 4 rubbers to 2(8 sets to 57), 58 games to 31. Hayle, for the losers, showed improved form, and took a set from solid player Salmond. Dr. Isaacs, as substitute for Brown, played a great game in the second doubles with Salmond though outclassed by Lewis in his single. Eller and Jeffrey (Wellington) as a double combination, and Jones (Muritai), in his single continued in winning vein. Salmond v. Nagle, 6—3, 2—6, 6—o; Eller v. Wright, 6—3, 6—2; Jeffrey v. Jones, 5 — 6, 3—6; Dr. Isaacs v. Lewis, I—6, o—6; Eller and Jeffreys v. Nagle and Lewis, 6—5, 6—4; Salmond and Dr. Isaacs v. Wright and Jones, 6—l, 6—3. Hutt defeated Wellington 11. by 4 rubbers to 2 (9 sets to 5)—67 games to 56. With Hawken absent from Hutt and Eller and Jeffrey in Wellington's first team, little interest was manifested in this fixture, but otherwise a very even contest would have resulted. The Hor-nell-Eller single and Cornell-Ward v. Eller-Jeffrey double was something to enthuse over. Cornell v. MeCaul, 6—3, 6 — 3; Ward v. Salek, 6—4, 6—2; Callender v. Hill, 6—3, 6—3; Hursthouse v. Grant, 4—6, 2—6; Cornell and Ward v. McGaul and Salek, 6—3, 2—6, 6—2; Callender and Hursthouse v. Hill and Grant, 6—3, 2—6, 3—6.

LADIES’ COMPETITION. Wellington I. defeated Brougham Hill by 5 rubbers to 1 (11 sets to 4), 79 games to 58.. The match was more evenly contested than the result indicates, three rubbers running to the full number of sets, but Brougham Hill only won one of them, Miss Davis defeating Miss Hannah, who had not played previously this season. Miss Travers v. Miss Morgan, 6—2, 6—2; Miss Cock v. Miss Archer, 6—2, 6—l; Miss Atmore v. Mrs. W. E. Howe, 3—6, 6—5, 6—l; Miss Hannah v. Miss Davis, 6—5, 2—6, 3—6; Misses Travers and Cock v. Misses Morgan and Archer, 6—3, 6—5; Misses Atmore and Hannah v. Mrs. Howe and Miss Davis, Thorndon defeated Wellington IT. by 6 rubbers to nil (12 sets to nil), 72 games to 20. Despite the absence of Misses Nunnelly and Batham, the losers failed to make an interesting contest in even one of the half-dozen rubbers. Miss Butterworth v. Miss Webb, 6—2, 6—l; Mrs., Holmes v. Miss Francis, 6—2, 6—2; Miss Simpson V. Miss Kirker, 6—o, 6—l; Miss Turton v. Mies Dunean, 6—l, 6—l; Miss Butterworth and Mrs. Holmes v. Misses Webb and Francis, 6—3, 6—2; Misses Simpson and Turton v. Misses Kirker and Dunean, 6—4, 6—l. The final of the ladies’ senior championship will eventuate at Hulswell-street on Saturday, when the two leading and undefeated teams (Thorndon and Wellington I.) meet to decide supremacy.

Comments on Senior Matches (November 12). Thomdon defeated Wellington I. 'by four rubbers to two (nine sets to five), 70 games to 52. Didsbury was the only Thorndonite to lose his single, and he got only one game in each set against Salmond. Of the other three rubbers, Peacock and Smythe defeated Brown and J. S. Wilson respectively in straight sets, but those old rivals Swanston and Fisher (the latter playing for Wellington for the first time this season) had a lively three-set encounter, though Swanston always held the upper hand and scored 17 games to 11. Each side secured a double, Fisher and Brown having the satisfaction of turning the tables on Swanston and Peacocke (3 —6, 6—5, ft—4), who at one stage led 6—3, 5—4, and 4ft—love, so that the Wellingtonians made a fine recovery. Brown was in great form all

afternoon, and was particularly aggressive, and in his single he had hard luck in not getting the first set against Peacock. Smythe has soon struck form, and appears to be playing just as solidly as ever. 'Wilson never had a chance with him, and the double was almost as disastrous from the Wellington man’s point of view, Smythe and Didsbury winning from Wilson and Salmond 6 —2, As only’ one round is being played in the A Grade, Thorndon has practically •won the championship, as no difficulty should be experienced in winning the remaining matches. The same Club will also probably annex the ladies’ championship, as Saturday’s match at Hals-well-street against Wellington will constitute the final, and on paper Thorndon are too good. Victoria. College defeated Muritai by four rubbers to two (nine sets to four), 66 games to 48. It is hard to understand on what grounds Muritai claimed to have a winning chanee in this match when an analysis is made of the singles, excepting the Jones-Cleghorn rubber: — F. P. Wilson v Nagle, 6—3, 6—l; Beere v. Wright, 6—4, 6—l; Smith v. Lewis, 6—3, 6—o; games, 30—12. To have won the match against those figures, Jones would have had to beat Cleghorn in straight sets, in addition to the suburbanites winning both doubles in similar manner. These were the three rubbers the side expected to win, but Nagle and Lewis again failed, and this time when they held a strong winning position, it was a very satisfactory performance for Wilson and Beere to win 6—5, 6—3 when their opponents led in the separate sets 4—l and 3—o. Even had they (Muritai) been successful, the team was still beaten by one set, and well down on games, as Cleghorn and Jones played an even threesetter. at two stages of which Cleghorn held the upper hand all the way through the first set, and again when be got a lead of 3—2 in the last set after the score had been called 2—l and 40—love against him. Wilson and Smith were in good form for College, and the latter looks like going through the competition without losing his single on one occasion. Wright (Muritai) was disappointing in his match, and Beere had his measure all the way. The colt, though, gave a much better exhibition, and it was principally to him that Muritai owes its success in the second double against Cleghorn and Smith (6 —3, 6—3). Cleghorn has been seen to better advantage, as his tennis, in the double particularly, was wretched. Brougham Hill defeated Wellington 11. by four rubbers to two (nine sets to four), 65 games to 50. After the singles had been decided, the match promised to produce a hollow victory for Brougham Hill, as they had won the whole four rubbers in straight sets. However, the doubles told a different tale, and the Weliingtonians scored two fine wins in this department, the scores reading: Eller and Jeffrey v. H. V. Howe and Hunter, 6—3, 6 —3; Salek and Grant v. Sampson and Dart, 3—6, 6—5, 6—o. Salek (Wellington) had not appeared in a match since the season of 1907, and he turned out to fill the vacancy caused by McLean's absence. He got four games in the first set of his single with Sampson, but was outclassed in the second. In the double he was a very solid proposition (and always has been), but on paper Sampson and Dart looked good enough to win, as Grant is weak comparatively. The Brougham Bill pair won the first set comfortably, and jogged along quietly in the second. That was their mistake, ae when Salek and Grant put in their challenge, Sampson and Dart couldn’t get going again, and after losing the middle set failed to score a single game in the deciding one of the rubber. Eller and Jeffrey also won handsomely, and are improving as a combination each Saturday. After Cornell's defeat of n. V. Howe, the latter does not lok to be so invincible to the younger gen-

eration, but Eller found him none the less effective, and although he got a good start, Howe afterwards had him on the “wallaby” throughout their single. Hunter beat Jeffrey by 12 games to seven, and even had the latter secured the second set when they were “five a!!,” the Brougham Hill man could hardly have lost, as Jeffrey had been making the pace. J. S. Wilson, who resigned his position as assistant accountant of the Bank of New Zealand, to go into the wool brokering business at Blenheim, leaves for his new home this week. He was enthusiastically farewelled by his fellowofficers, and as a mark of appreciation and in recognition of 23 years’ honourable service, was made the recipient of valuable presents for Mrs Wilson and himself. He will be greatly missed at Palmer-street (Wellington Club), as well as by the members of other dubs, and a large circle of friends. The Brougham Hill Club has four youngsters playing in the lower grade competitions who promise to become real top-notehers in the years to cone. They are Rawnsley, Butcher, Quinnell, and Reeves, and the qquartet possess a repertoire of strokes seldom seen in more experienced players. Quinnell has ah exceptionally fine service, and Erie Reeves, the baby of the bunch, probably claims a greater variety of strokes than any of the others. He plays a beautiful game, and has the makings of a champion if he even half fulfils his early promise. A word of advice from a player like Swauston might prove beneficial to these boys, and I mention it because he always takes an interest in young players, and none asK his help in vain. W. Crewes (Trinity) made a successful first appearance in B grade matches on 12th November. He played first man against Petone, and besides defeating Parkinson in a three-set rubber, also took part in the only other rubber won by his si.de. E. R. Kirk (Hutt) had a similar experience, and appears to be the only man in his team to win matches, as he comes to light consistently every Saturday. In the B grade match against Brougham Hill 11.. he defeated Hurley (6 —2. 6 —3), and then, assisted byBrown. accounted for Kean and Barton in the first double.

Local and General. Leading teams in the respective grades and competitions to date are as follows: Men's Competition.—A Grade. Thorndon; B Grade. Brougham Hill I. and Petone; C Grade, Brougham Hill I.; D Grade. Johnsonville. Ladies’ Competition.—A Grade. Thorndon: B Grade, Petone; C Grade. Khandallah. The Palmerston North Club opened its courts officially on 12th November, the president, Mr W. L. Fitzherbert, performing the ceremony. The Wellington Association intends to hold the annual handicap tournament at Christmas (December 26th and 27th) instead of New Year, as has been the case in recent years. Otago will be represented in the interprovincial fixture against Canterbury at Cnristchurch on Saturday by: Men— Brown, Braithwaite, Sinclair, Bundle, Bray, Ewan, and Harraway. LadiesMisses Campbell, Marks, Bauchop, and Stevenson. By a remarkable coincidence all of the five matches played in the men’s A and B grades on November 12th were won by exactly the same margin, 4 rubbers to 2, whilst the sets and games were also anything but dissimilar. Details of these contests are appended: — A Grade.—Thorndon v. Wellington 1., 4 rubbers to 2 (!) sets to 5). 70 games to 52. Victoria College v. Muritai, 4 rubbers to 2 (9 sets to 4), 66 games to 48. Brougham Hill v. Wellington IL. 4 rubbers to 2 (9 sets to 4), 65 games to 50. B Grade.—Petone v. Trinity, 4 rubbers to 2 (9 sets to 5). 70 games to 62. Brougham Hill 11. v. Hutt, 4 rubbers to 2 (8 sets to 6), 72 games to 54. The first-named team was the winner in every case. The Brougham Hill Club had a day out on Saturday week, as the whole of its eight teams competing in the inter-club competitions were successful in winning their respective matches. This was a particularly fine record, and will probably stand good for many a day. The provincial championships have been delegated to the Masterton Club. They will be run in conjunction with the handicap tournament in the Wairarapa capital on January 21st, 23rd and 24th. The senior championship has almost reached completion, as this season, owing to only one round being played, no more

than six Saturdays are necessary ta finish, and four of them have now gone. As a matter of fact. Thorndon has practically won both the men's and ladies’ competitions, so that the carrying out of the full programme is hardly likely to affect the result. Canterbury’s team to meet Otago at Bagley Park (Christeniiixv on Saturday will lie chosen from tue following players:—Ollivier. Goss. Jennings. Harman. Kiver, Pearse, Bonnington, and Borrows. The veteran, R. 1). Harman, is reported to be playing as well as ever, whilst Jennings is also in great form. Ollivier has been disappointing and very erratic. Another "youngster.'' in Goss, is the most consistent until in the province, and there is no doubt that he and Barman marvels.