Lawn Tennis.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 15, 10 April 1912, Page 9

Lawn Tennis.

THE GAME IN WELLINGTON. (By ROMULUS.) F. Laishley, Brougham Hill Champion. THE final of the Men's Championship Singles at Brougham Hill was played on Wednesday last between L. W. Hawkins and F. Laishley, who had defeated 11. V. and J. A. B. Howe, respectively, in the semi-finals on the previous Saturday. Hawkins is a known trier, and as Laishley’s form has been in and out this season, popular fancy leaned towards the former. Certainly on one or two occasions he gave rare exhibitions, notably against R. St. J. Beere in the final of the Inter-Club Championship (Victoria College v. Brougham Hill), although Beere subsequently won the rubber. But Laishley‘s driving and placing for the greater part of the match was up to the high standard he set ten years ago, when he won the Provincial Championship three years successively. Obviously on that form Hawkins could not touch him, and. unfortunately for the Petoneite, Laishley reproduced' it in the Brougham Hill finals. His driving was perfection, and although Hawkins at one stage in the seepnd set led 3—9, Laishley stuck to his game and did not err in that recklessness so characteristic of his tennis in later years. As a result, he not only saved the set, but actually scored six of the next seven games, the full score for the match in Laishley’s favour Reading 6—2, o—40 —4 (12 games to 6). Laishley is the best loser - the writer has ever experienced, and his success on the present occasion, in the years of his decline, came as welcome news to the marry who know him as a fine sportsman. Wellington Clnb. In continuation of the Wellington Club’s. President's Handicap, the following matches in the later rounds have been played:— MEN'S SINGLES. Second Round: R. J. Grant (scr.) v. T. L. Ward (owe 15 4-6), 5 —6, 6—l, 6—o. Third Round: R. J. Grant (ser.) v. D. S. Colurnb (scr.), 6—3, 6 —5. LADIES’ SINGLES. Second Round: Mrs. Walker (rec. 2-6 15) v. Mrs. Grady (scr.), 6—4, 6—2. Miss Van Staveren (owe 15 1-6) v. Miss Atmore (rec. 15 2-6), 6—4, 4—6, 6—l.

Schoolmaster’s Tournament. The annual tournament of the Wellington Schoolmasters’ Sports Club was held recently, and was notable for the closeness of the results in the semi-finals and finals, details of which are appended:— MEN’S SINGLES. Semi-finals.—Taylor (6) v. Arcus (15), 70 —63; Fathers (10) v. Thwaites (10), 70—68. (Final not played when mail left Wellington.) MEN’S DOUBLES. Semi-finals.—'East and Moriee (17) v. Taylor and Melody (12), 70 —60; Ward and Smith (17) v. Low and Thwaites (scr), 7 o—6B. Final.—Ward and Smith (17) v. East and Moriee (17), 70—67.

General Notes. In the semi final of the Ladies’ Championship Singles at Newtown Club’s courts, Miss Clark defeated Miss Irene Clark, 6 —l, 7—5, and now meets Mrs. R. 11. Nagle in the final. Several Wellingtonians, including T. L. Ward (Wellington), F. J. Cornell (Hutt), W. Crewes and J. Dick (Trinity), Went South at Easter, though Crewes Was the only one likely to be taking part in the annual championships (Canterbury), at Christchurch. F. A. de la Mare, to whom reference Was made in this column recently, took his departure from Wellington by the

s.s. Maori on Monday week, en route to Port Chalmers, where he is entering the legal profession. I’rior to leaving this city he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor by the Chief Justice, on the motion of a high official of the Crown Law Office, Mr. 11. H. Ostler, LL.B. Wellington was unable to get a team away either to Auckland (North Island interprovincjal tournament) or to Blenheim (match with Marlborough Association). Fisher and Brown would have made the Northern trip, while Ward Crewes, Mason, and Delamore (the latter two of Victoria College) were likely starters for the journey across the straits, but in both cases difficulty was experienced in securing lady players, and consequently the projects had to be abandoned. THE GAME IN AUCKLAND (By FOOTFAULT.) The inter-provincial contest between Auckland and Taranaki, which took place at the Eden and Epsom lawns on Saturday and Monday last, created much interest in lawn tennis circles. It was extremely unfortunate that- neither Wellington nor Hawke's Bay found it possible to send teams. When the delegates from all four provinces met at Christchurch during Davis Cup week they all expressed the opinion that there would lie no doubt that each province would send its strongest teams. From what transpires the Wellington secretary did not put himself out in any way to get a team to visit Auckland. The Hawke's Bay Association were very confident right up to the last of sending their strongest team, but the local secretary received a wire at the last minute, saying, “Much regret cannot send team.” So far no explanation has been received. When Saturday morning came with a drizzle it saddened the hearts of many. The players wended their way to the courts but found play impossible. It'was not till after two o’clock that play was started with the first- Men's Doubles. The Taranaki pair have a great reputation and they played splendidly, completely’ outclassing the local pair. I have never seen a player so much at home on the court as Wallace. No matter where or how the ball comes to him he is equally good. He hits the ball at the top of the bound with plenty’ of top spin. His clean smashing and neat volleying were a revelation to local players. Dickie puts plenty of vim into his shots and wins many aces by sheer determination. It would be hard to find a better pair of sports than these two players. R. D. Wybourne is a young player who shows much promise. He quickly sized up Quinnell in the Singles and never gave him a chance. His smashing in the Men's Doubles and Combined was especially severe. Webster is another promising young player, but is rather inclined to be rash. His smashing and clean volleying shewed to much advantage in the Men's Doubles. Miss Powdrell has not been seen in open tournments for some time, but she showed that she has not forgotten how to wield her racket. Tn her single with Miss Gray her side line driving was a treat and gained much applause from the spectators. In the Ladies’ Doubles she fought hard and well, and it was very unfortunate for her that Miss Brewster was not playing up to her usual form. In the- Combined event, played the last thing on Monday. Miss Powdrell was seen at her best, her side line ami cross court driving drawing rounds of applause from the spectators. Miss Brewster was not playing at all well. Her best performance was on Monday in the Combined Double with Dickie. Miss Simpson played well in the first set of the Ladies' Double, but then seemed to lose heart. This was also very noticeable in her match against Mrs Cooper. Mrs Van Asch was three times within an ace of winning Taranaki the contest, as she had a lead of 52 and 40 love again-t Miss Steele in the third set. Some of the rallies in the single were very long, and the match was full of interest. Her volleying at the net was especially good. Congratulations have been extended to the Auckland team on their win. The ladies played splendidly, and they alone

accounted for no less than 11 of the 18 sets won. Miss Steele was the hero of the contest. Had it not been for her splendid effort against Mrs Van Asch Auckland would have lost. Dr Keith showed to most advantage in the Combined event with Miss Gray. His placing in this match was splendid. His only weakness was in being unable to kill outright many weak returns. W. A. Brown played at the top of his form against Dickie in the Singles, but tiie latter proved a bit too consistent. )He also played in good form in the Combined, smashing and serving in good style. In the Men's Doubles, however, bis play was disappointing. Time after time when he had made a good opening by lobbing his opponent out of position he failed to take advantage of it by waiting till the return lob bounced, instead of running right in and smashing. Quinnell did not play up to expectations. His volley is accurate, but far too weak against hard hitters. His best game was with Mrs Cooper against Dickie and Miss Brewster. Robson played well in his Single and Combined, but his Double game was disappointing. He should take a leaf out of Wallace’s book and put more weight behind his volleys. He, like Brown, was not far enough in to be able to kill weak returns. His American serves were verv effective in the Combined Doubles. The ladies played splendidly throughout and as a team would take a lot of beating. Miss Gray, although suffering from the effects of a recent cold, was in splendid form. Her games in the Ladies’ Double and Combined were especially brilliant. Miss Cumming playeq a splendid game all through, being successful in all her matches. Her lobbing in the Combined Double was quite equal to anything I have witnessed, while her cross court drives time and again proved too much for her opponent. Mrs Cooper was in good form, her brilliant net play both in the Combined and Ladies’ Doubles pleasing the spectators immensely. For some unknown reason Miss Gorrie did not put in an appearance, and Miss Steele was called upon to fill the vacancy, which she did with great credit. Her driving has improved very much since the championships, while she can volley when occasion arises. The visiting ladies were taken for a spin in taxis on Monday morning by the secretary and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the outing. One thing was very noticeable in regard to the entertainment of the visitors and that was the need of a ladies’ committee to look after the visiting ladies. It is impossible for the secretary to attend to everything, and for this reason it is to be hoped that this matter will not lie overlooked next time. The delegates held a meeting on Monday afternoon, when it was decided to hold the next tournament in Taranaki.