LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 20, 15 November 1911, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

WELLINGTON. t ßk -ROMULUS"). Saturday's Results. IX the senior matches, men’s ' competition, on .Saturday last, Brougham Hill defeated Victoria College by 4 rubbers to > 9 sets to 6, 65 games to 64. The scores were: H. O. Howe v. F. P. Wilson, 6—2, 6—5; Hawkins v. Beere, 6 2,1—6, o—6 (Hawkins retiring when a set in and 1 2 m the second set); Simpson v. Smith, 6-4, 6—2; J. A. B. Howe v. Cleghorn, o o 6; 11. V. Howe and Hawkins v. Wilson and Beere, 6—3, 5 6, 6 —3; J. \ B Howe and Sampson v. Smith and ( leghorn, 6—4, 4—6, 6—3. Cleghorn put up "a good performance in his single by defeating J. A. B. Howe easily in straight sets, and should find a place in the V.C. teani higher up than fourth man. Wellington A defeated Wellington B by 6 rubbers to nil, 12 sets to nil, 72 games to 21. Scores were: Brown v. .lell'ery, 6—4, 6—l; Ward v. Golumb, t 1, 6—l; McNieol v. Kirkealdie, 6—l, l 1; McCaul v. Grant, 6—l, 6—3; Id own and McCaul v. Jeffery and Kirk,.u|i|ic, 6 —l, 6—3; Ward and MeNicol v.> ( oliinib and Grant, 6—3, 6—2. Victoria College takes premier position m the Cup competition by defeating the -tiong B.H. combination 4 rubbers to 2, S sets to 6, 64 games to 55. Parker V. Lawrence, 6—2, 6 —l; Delamare v. Townsend, 3 —6, I—6;1 —6; Brown v. Kean, 5 —6. 26; Duncan v. Veen, 6 —o, 3—6, 6—l: Parker and Delamare v. Townsend and Kean, 6—4, 6 —4; Brown and Duncan v. Lawrence and Veen, 2 —6, 6—5, 6 —2. In the ladies’ competition Victoria ColI, : ■ defeated Brougham Hill by 4 rubbers to 2, 9 sets to 5, 67 games to 54. Scores were: Miss Van Staveren v. Miss Morg:in, 6—3, 6—2; Miss Tennent v. Mrs W. E. Howe. 6 —o, 6—2; Miss Roberts v. Ais Archer, 2—6, 2 —6; Miss K. Mciniosh v. Miss Davis, 4—6, 6 —4, 6—5; .-.os Van Staveren and Roberts v. Miss ' ican and Mrs Howe, o—6,0 —6, 6 —3, 5 —6; idsAis Tennent and Mclntosh v. Misses 'in h r and Davis, 6 —2, 6—3. The best ■.vins in this match were those of Miss All-In r (Brougham Hill) in the third . le. and Misses Tennent and K. McIntosh in the second double. Such an < asy victory in the latter rubber is hard to understand after the losers’ tine showiii’:' against Miss Travers and Mrs Goldie (Wellington) in Brougham Hill’s preions match. Wellington A defeated Wellington B i.v G rubbers to nil, 12 sets to nil, 72 games to 22. Scores: Miss Travers v. Mrs Grady, 6—2, 6—l; Miss Williams Miss Hannah, 6—o, 6—o; Miss Cock V. Miss Atmore, 6—2, 6—l; Mrs Goldie V. Mrs Walker, 6—l, 6—3; Miss Travers mid Mrs Goldie v. Mrs Grady and Miss Hannah, 6—l, 6—4; Misses Williams and < ock v. Miss Atmore and Mrs Walker, • ! 2, 6-4.

Brougham Hill Club Tournaments. Further progress has been made in these events. The men’s singles are well advanced, the first round being completed and the second well under way; while the men's doubles are complete almost to the semi-finals. Additional icsults: — MEN’S SINGLES. First Round. Butcher (10) v. Harris (20), 50—39. Laishley (owe 16) v. Manoy (18), 50—■ 47. Lawrence (s-er.), v. Jack (14), 50—41. Kean (2) v. Levick (30), 50— —40. Quinnell (18) v. W. E. Howe (14), 50— 89. Armstrong (20) v. Hurley (6), 51 —49. Veen (4) v. Rawnsley (16), 50 —43. Second Round. Butcher (10) v. Oakley (14), 50—38. Marriner (4) v. Hunter (owe 8), 51 —• 49. J. A. B. Howe (owe 8), v. Lawrence .(n r.), 50—40. Veen (4) v. Armstrong (20), 50—36. MEN’S DOUBLES. This event is also ■well forward, two founds being practically complete, as the only game to bo played in the second rounds is between Townsend-Kean (6),

and Midlane-Hutchings (20), the winners going into the semi-finals along with Rawnsley and Reeves (14). Sampson and-Lawrence (6). J. A. B. and H. V. Rowe (owe 2). LADIES’ SINGLES. First Round. Mrs J. A. B. Rowe (8) v. Miss Plimmcr (14), 40—32. Second Round. Miss Mack (12), v. Miss Morgan (owe 4), 40—30. LADIES’ DOUBLES. First Round. Misses Creasey-Williams (10) v. Misses Mack-Howe (14), 40—31. Misses Gray-Plimmer (16) v. Miss Morgan. Mrs. Burton (scr.), 40—35. COMBINED DOUBLES. First Round. Smith and Miss Pearson (18), v. Edwards and Miss Hayes (10), by default. Veen and Miss Williams (10), v. Rawnsley and Mrs. J. A. B. Howe (14), 40—32. BLUE RIBBON EVENTS. Challenge Round Davis Cup Contest. —• 29th, 30th December, 1911, and Ist Janu. ary, 1912, Lancaster Park, Christchurch. New Zealand Championships.—23rd, 26th, 27th and 28th December, 1911. Lan caster Park, Christchurch. Wellington Provincial Championships. —2oth, 22nd and 23rd January, 1912. Day's Bay, Wellington. Wairarapa Open Championships. — 20th, 22nd, and 23rd January, 1912. Masterton ( lab's courts, Masterton.

General. The American team to challenge for the Davis Cup sailed on 10th November, and consists of W. H. Larned (captain), Beals Wright and M. E. McLoughlin. A new club, St. Peter’s, with a membership of 40, has recently been formed in Wellington, having courts situated at Mitehelltown adjoining those of the recently affiliated Puketoa Club. L. C. Harton, one, of the oldest members of the Muritai Club, left last week for Te Kuiti, where he has gone into business. The Y.M.C.A. Club, Masterton, has resigned from the Association (W.P.), as its courts .have been sold, and the Club is unable to secure other suitable grounds. C. Beasley (wher has played a good deal of tennis at Day's and Ron.i Bays and Muritai) was in Wellington for a week recently. He passed on to the West Coast of the South Island, and afterwards intended going through to Christchurch, en route to his headquarters at Auckland—a big round trip. Shield fixtures for Saturday are: — Men's. —Wellington A v. Newtown, at Day's Bay; Victoria College v. Wellington B, at Day’s Bay. Ladies.—Wellington A v. Newtown, at Day’s Bay; Thorndon v. Brougham Hill, at Brougham Hill; Victoria College v. Wellington B, nt Day’s Bay.

THE GAME IN AUCKLAND (By FOOTFAULT.) Fixtures. November 25: First round inter eliib competition. December 23, 26., 27, 28: New Zealand championship, at Christchurch. December 30, January 1 and 2: Davis Cup, at Christchurch; Auckland' handicap tournament, at Remuera Lawn. January 27 and 29: Championships tournament, at Remuera Lawn. Reninera s Opening Day. Tn spite of the boisterous weather on Saturday, the Remuera Club had a very successful opening. The president of the club (Mr. V. J. Larner), in a neat speech, welcomed the new members, and then, in referring to the fine new pavilion, said ho considered the club owed a deep debt of gratitude to one of its members, Mr. R. Abbott (of Messrs. Arnold and Abbott), as this gentleman had given his services as architect gratuitously. The l«>wns, be said; were a

credit to the green superintendent (Mr. Hume), who had been indefatigable in his efforts to have them in perfect order. After Mr. Larner had declared the lawns open and the “Graphic” photographer had taken a group, players availed themselves of the short periods between the showers to once more wield the racket. The clirb has any amount of young players of promise, the most prominent of whom are Duthie, Tonka, and Larner. Duthie especially shows unmistakable signs of developing into a top-notcher. luter-club Competition. The association has received splendid entries for the inter-club competition, the following being the list: —- First Grade: West End, Parnell, Eden, and Epsom. Second Grade: West End, Parnell, Eden, Epsom, Remuera, Auckland, Devonport, and Onehunga. Third Grade: Eden, Epsom, Auckland, Remuera, Devonport, Otahuhu (two teams), Onehunga, Mt. Albert, and Dominion-road. From this it will be seen that 19 teams have entered, which with ten in each team, provides for 190 players, as against eleven teams last year, with 132 players. The competition in all grades should be very keen.

Mount Albert. The formal opening of the Mt. Albert Club took place on Saturday. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, there was a large number of visitors and members present. Mr. T. B. Clay, president, declared the lawns open for play, and in the course of his speech, congratulated the officials upon the condition of the lawns. Afternoon tea was provided. Although play was in progress all the afternoon, the pleasure was somewhat debarred by the frequent showers. Hirkdale Tennis Club. A meeting of Birkilale residents was held in the schoolroom last week, when the chair was occupied by Mr Julian Brook. Itx was decided to form a tennis club, and the following officers were efected: —President, Mr J. Brook; secretary and treasurer, Mr F. Kay; committee. Mosdames A. Woodhouse. C. Martin, Miss J. Mackay, Messrs A. 8. Whatfonl, and C. Martin. Here and There. I would strongly advise young players to study the latest books on tennis. In these they will find illustrations and many valuable l ints for beginners. It is painful to see the way some of our young players stand to hit a ball. They only need to be shown the correct way when they would see for themselves where , and why they will have to alter their style before they can hope to do any good at the game. The ladder competition is to be introduced into the Remuera Club again this year, and should prove of great assistance to the selection committee for the inter-club team.

Owing to the still very Hiisettled stat* of the weather, tennis ou Saturday was not of a high-elass order; in fact, very few players risked using their new reo quets, being content to merely have a hit up with their has bee ns. The Remuera committee have granted the association the use of their lawns fok the handicap and championship meetings. 'ihe volley board, thanks to the efforts of B. Wyman, has again been erected at the West End Club. S. Upton will once more assist the West End Club, ami now that singles are ineluded in the inter elub, should be oi great assistance to the team. It was a striking coincidence that the committee meeting held fry the Purnell Club on 7th November happened to fall exactly on the thirty-ninth anniversary of the formation of the club in 1872. The original minutes and statement of accounts submitted at that meeting are in the present club's possession; also a list of about 80 original members. Mrs Ruck appears to 1m the only mime still on the club's roll. There was no play on the W; st End lawns on Saturday. Tn his opening speech at Remuera on Saturday. Mr Larner touched upon a very important subject when ho drew attention to the lack of interest taken by tennis players in their annual meetings. There is no doubt about it. the attendance at most of these meetings usuellj' consists of the prize-winners for tho past season and those keen and ener getic enough to take positions as officebearers for the coming season. It is to be hoped that players will take this hint and show that they are taking a Evo interest in the welfare of the club byrolling up at these meetings.

Amongst tne lady member* of the Paim-ll Chib wli<> appear to have struck form early are Misses Walker, Steele, «ml Flitter. who may be looked on to do good work during the season. Mr Grigson, writing to his old club f( Varnell:! from Melbourne, seems to be light in the thick of tennis, amt hopes to play on the Melbourne Cricket Club's grounds. Tho movable concrete retaining wall erected by the Parnell Club between the tennis and croquet lawns, and designed by Mr Gri gson Wore he went to Australia, has proved a great success, and any club thinking of doing similar work would du well to inspect it.

CANTERBURY BEATS OTAGO.

Au interprovincial tennis match between Canterbury and Otago was played In Dunedin on Saturday. Rain prevented the corn•bhied doubles from being completed. The visitors won rather easily, securing 16 of the 22 sets played. The local players showed very poor form. The scores were as follow, the names of the Canterbury players ibeing given first: Men’s Singles. - Olli ver beat White, 3—6, 6 4, 6-2; Goss beat Marshall, 3—6, G—4. 3—6; Pearce beat S. Brown, 4 —6, 6—5, 3 —6; (Borrows beat Sinclair, 3—6, 2—6, 6 —5; Bonlilngton lost to Moody, 6 5, 2—6, I—6; iSheppard lost to Hamilton, 5 —6, 2—6; Venn •beat Bray, I—6. 6-3. 6—4; Sands lost to Given. 6—3, 3 —6, 5 6. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Goodman lost to lli-ss Campbell. 5-9; Mrs. Ballantyne beat JMiss Leaner, 9 -4; Miss Cotton lost to Miss tMarks, 6—9; Miss Hay beat Miss Bauchop, f>—s; Miss Miles beat Miss Hislop, 9—B; Mrs. Berry beat Miss Stevenson, 9 —4. Men’s Doubles. Ollivier and ’Goss beat ’"White and Brown, 6 1, 6 —2; Borrows and -Bonnington beat Marshall and Moody, 6—l, —2; Pearce and Sands beat Sinclair and JEvvan, 6—4, 6—2; Sheppard and Feuu beat (Hamilton and Bray, 6—5, 6—5. Ladies’ Doubles.- Mrs. Berry and Miss lost to Misses Campbell and ■•Le.stcr, 7 9: Misses Hay and Miles beat IMisses Hislop and Stevenson, 9—7. Combined Doubles.—Borrows and Mrs. ißalautyne beat Marshall and Miss Lesten 6— 2, 6 3.

A COMPARISON.

How do our leading lawn tennis players compare with those of England and other countries?” (writes Dr. L. O. S. •Poidevin). That is a query apparently heavily charged witli genuine interest, and one which ‘’stay-at-home” enthusiasts are never tired of putting forward. It is a query which has lately been put to me Aery frequently and persistently, and in consequence ] am encouraged ’to offer Rome reflections upon the subject to readers oi this column. The standard of cur play measured in terms of Davis Cup success would, of course, give it the premier place amongst the nations to-day. however, that is not altogether a satisfactory criterion to adopt, because the Davis Cup conditions permit of such a limited representation as to make it a matter almost of individual success rather than team success. It is quite true, therefore, that in Norman Brookes and ’Tony Wilding we have a pair of the greatest players of the day, .who not only won the Davis Cup supremacy for us in 1907. and have maintained it tor us ever since, but who also are quite capable of defending it against allcomers with quite reasonable prospects of success. I nfort unately, however, we can hardly claim that the high standard of play maintained by these two distinguished players is a true reflex of that of the nation they represent. As regards style, the comparison with English players is by no means unfavourable to us. On the whole, our grip of the racket is quite different and distinct from the English grip; and that, I think, is the basis of the main difference in stylo.' Our grip, I think, gives us better control of the backhand. Roughly, we ]day. in making the backhand 'stroke, .with the. front of our wrist forward,; whereas the Englishman plays with the hack of his wrist forward.- Of course, there are many modifications; but that is the basis of the difference which may. perhaps, be better appreciated by Haying that the Englishman invariably uses the opposite side of his racket in making his backhand to that which he uses in making forehand strokes, whereas our grip enables us -to use the name rfide of the racket- for both. .This question of grip is a large and somewhat controversial one. and 1 do.not propose to linger over it just now; it is with ths Results’ that I am at present concerned. In our the ball is’met more with the full face of the racket than in the case'of English players. We carry-our racket to meet-the ball practically in the same horizontal plane as thatjn which the ball is travelling, wher«ms' the English player

crosses the flight of the ball with his racket; in consequence, our style contributes to a plain hit stroke, while the English style tends towards the production of ‘‘cut-*’ upon tile strokes. Grace and elegance can be imparted to both styles; it is largely a matter of individual taste as to which is - preferred. Many prefer the clean-cut character and the. finish of our strokes, as illustrated, let us say, by A. B. Jones. Dr. Sharp, Horace Rice, and many others. They do not call for such accuracy of timing as docs the English style. You may watch these players mentioned above for a whole afternoon without ever being rewarded by the detection of a miss-hit; but unless the adherent of the other style is in his greatest form you will see several in that time. English players, however, pay much more attention to good .style than we do. Our style is rather incidental to our efforts after effect. Continental players, especially in their forehand strokes, strive after overspill; the socalled “lifting drive” is characteristic of their style, but it does not compare as regards grace and finish with the more orthodox British styles. Wilding, I suspect, had a good deal to do with the popularising of this forehand drive on the Continent. Here, again, the question of effect as between the various styles mentioned is a controversial one, and I do not propose to deal with it now. Summarising briefly, I should say regarding style that English players strive more after style as style than we do; that we place, more store upon effect; but this, notwithstanding our best, compares quite favourably with theirs, appearing at the same time perhaps more natural and less forced.

Now as to methods. This again invites consideration of the modern service vogue. The American service methods have not been adopted so universally by English players as they might be, and that is why many of the English players have not touched greatness. In a single, English players volley a great deal more than we do. With very few exceptions they follow their services into the net, and in the remainder of the game they seldom miss an opportunity to assume the volleying position. Consequently it is a rarity (and looked upon rather as femininity) to see two men battling away from the base line. With these methods, of course, not everyone will agree; too much reliance may easily be placed upon volleying. To be of much use in a single volleying should be the result rather than the basis of strategy. The man who comes teariuo- towards the net after every service may win many games through his opponent’s mistakes, but the good base-liner will win in most cases, unless the two following conditions be fulfilled. In the first place, it is necessary that the. vol lever should himself be in good position, and secondly that lie has his opponent at a disadvantage. It is very little use coming into the net to volley persistently under any other conditions. Now. the American service methods contribute largely towards the fulfilment of these, two conditions, ami they have a twofold advantage over most other services; they give the server time to get into a strong volleying position himself, and by their break and other virtues put his opponent into a position of strategical weakness. Under these circumstances good volleying holdsja definite and conspicuous superiority, and the success of Brookes, Wilding, and others testifies to tile truth of these remarks. Now, the. majority of English players adopt the persistent volleying method without the modern, service foundation ; of'course it is quite possible to do so with success, but it calls for superlative skill in volleying and exceptional quickness on the court. H. L. Doherty adopted these methods with marvellous and almost unexampled success, but his play smacked of th'v genius.

.Of present day players ill , England, Gore is a base liner end an exception to the rule; Ritchie is a modified exception, and'Roper Barrett usually confQinis to the rule. . Not one of the three has anything more than a medium-paeed, straightforward service, and Roper-Bar-rett, the most amiable service of the three. He is, however, a remarkable expert yoHeyer, and one of the quickest men one has seen on court, so that he. to some gxlent balances the apparent weak ness of his service. It is about the mine pace as that of Doiist. Dixon 1 has a verygood ■ America n service,'and he volleys persistently, though a he’avy man and somewhat slow in .movCnpml. >'• Beamish, Kenneth Powell, R. B. Powell, Mavrogoriloto. ••P. (I.’’; and A. H. Ix>we, Parke, all conform to the general volleying rule,

though two of their number duly have American services. Crawley, too, has a good modern service, and he volleys persistently, as doesHillyard with a plain hard hit, straightforward service. In doubles play our methods, will hear very favourable comparison ' wlith those of English players. For one thing, we volley eloser to the,net than they do in a double, and consequently i we are enabled to make sharper-angled cross-court shots. We go*in more the partner up inside the service line method while retur.ning the service than they do, in. England, where, with few exceptions, both players stay on the base-line while receiving the service. We have little to learn from the English play as regards the tartics’ot the doubles game. j ’ ” ;, '