LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 13, 29 March 1911, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

ROMULUS.)

i WELLINGTON. I Thorndon Club’s Championship. ' . G~7~f PART from the provincial cham- / I pionship this is the big event I of the season in Wellington tennis circles, and for the fourth time in succession Swanston has been the winner, a record for the club, though Fred Laishley has won it five times altogether, tiliri.ce consecutively, in 1901-2-3, and twice again, in 1905-6. As evidence of the latter’s predominance about that time it might l>s mentioned that he was twice .provincial champion, and three times one of the .winning combination in the men’s and combined championship doubles of the province, The results of the matches played in the various rounds and the winners of the event since its inception in ’879 are subjoined: — 1911 CHAMPIONSHIP. First Round. F. P. Wilson v. P. H. Putnam, 6—4, 6—o, 11—9. E. Salmond v. C. Carter, G—o, G—2, Second Round. R. N. K. Swanston v. G. F. Smythe, 6— 6—2, G —3. F. P. Wilson v. W. A Reading, 6—2, 7— G—2 E. Salmond v. O. Prouse, 6—2, 4—G, 6—3, G—o. A. Young v. L. E. Mackay, 6—l, 6—3, 6-1. Semi-finals. R. N. K. Swanston v. F. P. Wilson, 6—3, 6—3, G—l. E. Salmond v. A. Young, 7—5, 6—4, Final: — R. N. K. Swanston v. E. Salmond, 6 —o, 6—2, 3—G, 6—o. LIST OF CHAMPIONS. 1879-80— W. Moore. .1880-81—L. Fitzgerald. 1881- —L. Fitzgerald. 1882- F. A. Kebhell. 1883- D. C. Williams. 1884- M. Kebhell. 1885- —O. C. Williams. 1886- —Barry Goring. 1887- C. IL M. Ross. 1888- —E. J. Boddingbon. 1889- —E. J. Boddington. 1890- R. Koch. 1891- —Ross Gore. 1892- Ross Gore. 1893- H. M. Gore. 1894- —II. A. Parker. 1895- H. M. Gore. 1896- H. A. Parker. 1897- C. St. G. Gore. 1898- H. M. Gore. 1899- C. St. G. Gore. 1900- F. Laishley. 1901- —F. Laishley. 1902- F. Laishley. 1903- If. A. Parker. 1904- —F. Laishley. 1905- F. Laishley. 1906- F. M. B.’Fisher. 1907- —R. N. K. Swanston. 1908- —R. N. K. Swanston. 1909- —R. N. K. Swanston. 1910 lI—R. N. K. Swanston. Brougham Hill Club. The following are the results up to Saturday of the latest matches played in the championships. MEN’S SINGLES. Second Round.— Hawkins v. Hunbeir 8— 7—5 Third Round. Hawkins v. Laishley, 6—3, 3—6, 7—5; Lawrence v. Staples, 6— 6—B, 6 0 LADIES’ SINGLES. Final.—Miss Morgan v. Miss Davis, o—7. COMBINED DOUBLES. First Round. — 11. Howe and Miss Rothschild v. Hunter and Mrs. Burton, 7- 5-7, 6— 3; Dawson and Mrs. A. Howe v. Lawrence and Miss Muck, 6--3, 6—7, 7 —5; A. Howe aud Miss Morgan T.

Laishley and Miss Williams, 6—4, 6 —l* The winners of the three above-men-tioned matches alone, with Hawkins and Miss Davis, who won by default, comprise the semi-final pairs. • 1 MEN’S DOUBLES. First Round.—Dawson and Jack v. Lawrence and Staples, 6—l; 6—3. '■ LADIES’ DOUBLES. First Round. —Misses Hayes and Rothschild' v. Misses Mack and Howe, 9—4; Mrs Burton and Miss Morgan v. Misses Creasey and Williams, 9—3. F. M. B, Fisher at Adelaide. (1) Reached semi-final of South Australian championship singles; defeated by Taylor, 7—5, 6—4, 6—o. (2) Won men’s championship doubles in partnership with 11. A. Parker, the pair defeating Addison and: Barnard, of Victoria, 2—6 6—2, 4 —6, B—-6, 6—2. (3) Won combined championship doubles partnered by Miss Stewart, the crack Victorian lady player, their opponents in the final being H. Rice (Wellington Provincial champion in 1909) and Miss Watson, who lost to the New Zealand-Victoria combination after a great struggle (6—2, o—6, 11—9).

Miscellaneous. The final of the Men’s Handicap Singles at Thorndon has been reached, and will probably have been decided (on Saturday) ere these notes appear in print. The contestants are Smythe (owe 15 3-6) and Didsbury (owe 4-6 15), the latter of whom has some good performances to his credit in this event, but on the above handicaps hasn’t even an outside chance against Smythe. F. A. Lewis, the Newtown and Muritai representative, has been indisposed since his return from Rotorua, and, acting on medical advice, left for Dunedin last week on three weeks’ sick leave. It is hoped that the more bracing Southern climate will have the effect of pulling him together. At any rate, he is confident that his health will be fully restored by the date of the termination of his leave. Anthony Wilding’s latest feat is the annexation of the championship of the South of France, just concluded at Nice. He defeated Decugis, the crack French player, in the final, 9—7, 6—o, 6—3. Tournaments at Easter comprise the annual championships of Canterbury and Otago and' the New Zealand University championships at Auckland. The Rotorua meeting will have very little attraction for players from this part of the world, but L. W. Hawkins, who figured prominently at the Waikato tournament last Easter, intends to compete at Rotorua.

AUCKLAND. During the last week the final rounds of most of the clubs’ handicap and championship events tiave been played. It is therefore satisfactory that the finals will be all over before Easter, and that no events remain incomplete. tin Wednesday afternoon last the outstanding semi-final in the Auckland championship events was played between W. A. Brown and Morpeth. The latter won a hard-fought match, 7 —5, 6 —4, 6—3. Brown was driving particul iriy well, but lost a good chance of annexing the first set. The third set Was a long one, and contained many fine rallies, in which Morpeth was content to let Brown make the mistakes. .Saturday last was again a perfect day for tennis. Quite a number of players, past and present, were 'in attend ince at the Elen and Epsom courts to witness the finals in the singles, doubles, and combined championships. In the same afternoon Miss A. Gray met and defeated 'Miss G. Gorrie in the ladies’ singles championship of Auckland. The sets were 6—3, 6—2, but the games were close throughout. There were many good rallies, generally ending in Miss Gray volleying at the net. Miss Gorrie has the shots to pass Miss Gray with but' does not find the sde

lines enough. The winner was very consistent, and-.wjth-her a point is not Io»t until it is won, . _. MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES FINAL. Quinnell and Swainson Hunt and Henderson, 2—6,‘ 6—4, 6—3, 6—2. The winners were superior all round. The West End pair appeared as though they could have done better had they been more fully extended. Taken altogether, the match was disappointing for the final of the doubles. The play lacked brilliancy, and there were few exciting rallies. The winners were aggressive throughout. They played well together, served well, volleyed carefully, smashed at the right time, and were safe in their ground shots, but the losers relied U'O much on their lobbing tactics, an.l they did not lob to the back of the court enough. Hunt did not play up to the form he displayed against Grigson aid Brown, but was handicapped with a directive racquet. Henderson did not get any opportunitties to play his short passing shots. Quinnell was the most reliable player of the four, and played some nice short volleys.

COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIP. FINAL. Mrs Cooper and Rain-ger defeated Miss Carruth and Billing, 2 —6, 6—l, 6—4. It was anticipated that this would be a close match, but the impression was that Miss Carruth and Billing would win. The result was therefore somewhat of a surprise. However, the winners won on their merits. Mrs. Cooper played steadily, and left most of the volleying to her partner. Rainger is a heavy player, with no particular strong shots, but makes good openings with well-placed drives and volleys with effect. Miss Carruth drove and lobbed consistently, but did not get enough length or sting into her shots to give her partner a chance to be aggressive. Billing was safe and tricky as he ever is, b it after the first set had very few opportunities.

AIEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. FINAL. H. Morpeth .beat T. R. Grigson 7 —5, 6—4, 6 —:3. The deieat of Grigson in 3 sets came as a quite unexpected result. At the most if was expected to be a five set match with Grigson the winner. Grigson led 4—2 in the first set, but Morpeth evened up, and eventually took the set at 7—5. From then to the finish he led for most of the time. Most of the play was from the base lines, and was characterised by fine driving by Grigson and nicely paced returns by Morpeth. There was very little difference in the ground shots of the players, but whereas Grigson relied solely on his drive, Morpeth occasionally volleyed across the court or gave a shorf dropping return. It was practically due to his being able to change the play at different times that he owes his win. Morpeth has improved considerably during the last 6 weeks and comes through the championship without the loss of a set.

Auckland Club. The Auckland Club gave their annual “Al Home” on Tuesday last, when a large number of visiting players took part in progressive tennis. The players were divided into “A” and “B” sections. In the “A” grade Misses Steele and Crowther were the winners, and in the “B” grade Misses Nelson and Payton secured the prizes. Rotorua Tournament. The Rotorua Club reports many inquiries re the Easter tournament. Should arrangements be made with the Railway Department to put on an extra express on Tuesday evening from Rotorca to Auckland, other players will, in all probability, be able to attend. It is rep >rt d that L. W. Hawkins will be at Rotorua at Easter. Hawkins is well known in this district now and those players who were at Hamilton last year know what a host he is. If Hawkins is present, the trip will be a success if the tournament isn’t.

GISBORNE. r A progressive tournament for three prizes presented by the vice-pre-sident (Mr. Grant) was held at the Whatniipoko Tennis Club's court* last week. Misses Bradley and Black

were appointed a committee to conduct the tournament, and there were between 30 and ;40 ladies present. The playe.rs were divided into two grades, A and B. Mrs. Carmichael won all her four seta in the A grade, and obtained first prize. In the -B grade, Misses H. Watkins and Wachsmann both won all their games, and played off a single to see who should take the prize, the game resulting in favour of Miss Watkins, 6—3. A third prize was presented to Miss Foster.

HAMILTON. A tennis match was played on Saturday week by the Wesley Club against the Hamilton B Club team. The match resulted in a win for the former. The following are the scores, Hamilton players being mentioned first in each instance: — Ladies’ Doubles.—Misses G. Tompkins and G- Stevens v. Mrs. Dillicar and Miss Thorne, 3—7; Misses Pickering and McAUum v. Misses Loveday and Worsley, 7—o. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss G. Tompkins v. Miss Thorne, I—7;1 —7; Miss Stevens v. Mrs. Dillicar, o—7. Combined.—Miss G. Tompkins and Criekett v. Mrs. Dillicar and Turbot, 6—9; Miss Stevens and Sare v. Miss Thorne and Pomeroy, 3—9; Miss Pickering and Luxford v. Miss Loveday and H. Worsley, 6—7; Miss McAUum and Wyatt v. Miss Worsley and W. H. Worsley. Men’s Doubles.—Sare and Criekett v. Pomeroy and Turbot, 2—9; Luxford and Wyat v. Rees and Worsley, 3—9. Men’s Singles.—Sare v. Turbot, 5—7 ; Luxford v. Rees, 7—9; Wyatt v. H. Worsley, o—9-

ROTORUA. The local tournament has been continued, with the following results: — Men’s Champion Singles: Williamson •beat Algie, 6—4, 6 —2; Empson beat Williamson, 6—o, G—4. Ladies’ [Handicap Singles: Miss S. Empson (owe 10) beat Miss Clarke (15), 50 —35; Miss Corlett (15) (beat Miss Bock (25), 50—38; Miss Gordon (25) beat Miss Auld (25) 52—50. Men’s Handicap Singles: Davis (12) beat Algie (15), 70—54. Visiting players will be interested to hear that six lawns are to be laid down in front of the new bath building. The old raised lawns opposite the tea kiosk have 'been claimed by the bowling club as an extra green.

BLENHEIM. The St. Andrew’s Club paid a visit to the Marlborough Courts on Saturday week, when some interesting games were played. The following are the scores, St. Andrew’s players being mentioned first in each instance: — Men’s Singles.—H. Horton 1, v. Anderson 9; Collins 2, v. Wiffen 9; J. Horton 4, v. Bennett 9; Pattie 9, v. Hulme 11. Men’s Doubles.—H. Horton and Collins 4, v. Wiffen and Anderson 9; Robertson and J. Horton 6, v. Mae Shane and Jenkins 9... Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Ross 9, v. Miss Anderson 7; Miss Harding 2, v. Mrs Wiffen 9; Mrs Dodson 9, v. Miss Fulton 4. Ladies’ Doubles. —Miss Ross and Miss Harding 8, v. Miss Anderson and Mrs Wiffen 10; Mrs Dodson and Miss Lucas 3, v. Miss Fulton and Miss Newton 9. Combined Doubles. — Robertson and Miss Hutcheson 5, v. Mae Shane and Miss jxeville 9; Horton and Mrs Dodson 9, v. Jenkins and Miss Chapman 5. Totals.—St. Andrew’s, 73; Marlborough, 118. Marlborough, 11 sets to 3.