Sportsman’s Corner

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 29, 12 March 1948, Page 6

Sportsman’s Corner

Opotiki Tennis Teams Defeat Whakatane: More Constructive Criticism

(By “Service”) From all accounts the club’s match against Opotiki on Saturday last provided a most enjoyable day. Ten men and ten women made the trip, and three-set matches were played in all events. The contest resulted in a win for Opotiki by 22 matches to 18. A dance was provided by the local club and the general trend of opinion by the Whakatane players was that the matches between their club and Opotiki do much to revive the social aspect of inter-club play so regrettably lacking these days. These events should be supported by as many members of the local team as can possibly assist, and entertainment of the visitors not left entirely to the actual players. Forty matches were played altogether—to many to make comment on each but, from hearsay by team members several players showed marked improvement. B. Print established an early and comfortable lead against his opponent in the singles, but apparently lost concentration at this stage, and allowed the standard of his play to deteriorate. Two lessons are to be learned from this—never relax when you are leading, and never alter your game while you are winning.

Miss A. Trask played very well displaying a pleasing tendency to carry the war into the enemy’s camp by going to the net at every opportunity and volleying well. C. Wells is playing very well at present, showing less tendency to try and hit winners off every ball as was his wont. His service and smashing are especially, good. W. Rutherford is also playing good tennis his outstanding points being his flat forehand and accurate low volleying. I don’t think his present style of service is correct as instructed by the leading authorities —it is a round arm swing with the &rrh unbent and cannot possibly give any degree of accuracy with •speed. It would pay Rutherford to change his swing to the more orthodox one as will be described in a later aticle. This should also improve his smashing, which is a very important aspect of anybody’s tennis. However, Rutherford plays a very active an game, and I will not be surprised to find him much nearer the top of the gladder before very long. At home several handicap games were played, and with 20 players away plenty of tennis was enjoyed by all those present. A feature I noticed was the habit of several players and umpires (not “empires”) to call balls which hit the net and go over, “Net.” This is incorrect and such balls are called “Let,” an old English word meaning “to hinder.” Another failing in umpires is their tendency to call “Good ball” in the middle of a rally. There is no need to say anything when a ball is in—merely call the faults. A player hearing the umpire speak is inclined to hesitate and thus spoil his shot. Tomorrow', probably, the B team will play the zone final against either Opotiki or Waimana. At the time of writing this I do not know who won the match between the latter two last Sunday. The other day of the week-end will be taken up by an interesting match —Captain’s team versus Vice-captain’s in doubles and combined doubles events only. All players present will take part in the match which will commence at 1.30 p.m.

Four “Possibles” At Rifle Club’s Trophy Shoot:

The Rangitaiki Rifle Club' fired the first competition for a trophy presented by the club last Saturday. The conditions were seven shots at 500 and 600 yards. The weather was fine and the shooting was of a higher standard than usual. Two possibles were registered, one at the 500 by L. Davies and one at the 600 by C. Penny. The handicapping proved to be liberal as four men made the possible of 70. There are two more competitions before the trophy can be won, the first of which will be fired for on Saturday, March 20. ■ A “working bee” will be held next Saturday morning in order to put the range in order for the Bay of Plenty Shield Championship on March 17. The range will be open for “Zeroing” rifles and for practice after the working bee. Saturday’s scores follow: V. Green 32 at 500yds, 31 at 600 yds, 7 hep, total 70; J. Nowland 33, 30, 7, 70; F. Reichardt 27, 34, 9, 70; P. McGillan 28, 32, 10, 70; L. Davies 35, 33, scr, 68; C. Penny 32, 35, scr, 67; A. Moore 32, 33, 2, 67; R. Burgess 29, 32, 6, 67; N. Mayo 29, 23, 14, 66; W. Moore 32, 31, 2, 65; L. Mikkeisen 33, 28, 4, 65; V/. Mayo 29, 30, 6, 65; F. Villis 25, 28, 12, 65; S. Pearse 30, 30, 4, 64; W. Arbuckle 27, 23, 14, 64; M. Mcßae 30, 30, 2, 62; B. Reichardt 24, 29, 7, 60; R. Mayo 23, 22, 14, 59.