LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18659, 7 April 1926, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS.

Easter TOURNAMENT.

RAIN INTERRUPTS PLAY. Dull clouds hung abovo the placers -who assembled at Wilding Park yesterday morning to enter upon what had been hoped to be the final stage of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association's Easter championship and handicap tournament Play commenced at nine o'clock and continued until about 10.45 a.m., when a thick mist interrupted it. But this soon lifted and tennis was resumed, only to be stopped again at about 12.30 p.m., when raib tell heavily for over an hour. The courts were converted into lagoons, and when the shower ceased, hari brooms and dry sacks were employed by a small army of men to mop up the water. So good .was tho organisation of the tourney and so efficiently, had Mr R. Browning, the secretary, got off the various events, that the tournament would have ended last evening had the weather held, so creating history in local tennis circles, for never in the memory of old players has an Easter tournament yet finished at Easter time. Spectators of the play at the three days of the tourney have been conspicuous by their absence. Apparently those who did wend their way to the Park were in some unconnected with the sport or were the immediate acquaintances of the players. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the finale in the championship events were unable to be played off, thus the president of the Association, Mr \V. N Scay, nas not called upon to present the championship cups. After a meeting of the committee, it was agreed that the finals of the championships be set down for Saturday, and that fho remainder of tho tennis be continued to-day. Yesterday the final in the ladies' singles handicap was finished, Mis 3 A. Columbus beating Mias R. Hall, 9-0, while in the second semi-final of the men's singles championship, T. W. Patterson Uat P. G. Greenwood, 6-1, 3-6, : 6-4. G. Ollivier and R. Browning beat T. and E. Prebble in the second semi-final of the men's doubles championship, 6-0, 6-4. In the combined handicap, the semi-finals have been reached and shoald be played today. Semi-finals in the mixed doubles championship were settled late in the afternoon, T. W. Patterson and Miss M. Spcirs defeating W. S. Somerville and Miss Y Ferrier, 6-2, 6-4, and W. Sheppard and Miss Buchanan beating J. Mercer and Miss A. Columbns. 6-5, 6-1. The second semi-final of the ladies' doubles handicap resulted in Misses M. Ward and Wright beating Miss N. Eeed and Mrs Brooke, 9-3. A. L. Wood and E. G. Burn won the final of the men's doubles handicap from W. Somerville ana S. W. Field, 9-6. LADIES' DOUBLES HANDICAP. Semi-finals. Misses Gibson and McLaren (owe 3-6 15) beat Mrs Miles and Miss Eaglesomc (owe 3-6 16), 9-7. Misses Ward and Wright (owe 1-6 15) beat Mrs Brooke and Miss Reed 9-3. This match was one of the best ladies' events of tha day. The play was very even and every player was at the top of her form. Miss McLaren's driving often ended some very good rallies, and she has an excellent back-hand. Miss Gibson, a young player, from Timaru, was one of the best of tho younger players at the tournament, and if coached properly, should be heard of at the next tournament. LADIES' SINGLES HANDICAP. Semi-Final. ' Miss Columbus (owe 15) beat Miss Jfutt (rec. 5-6 15), 9-6. Final. Mis Columbus beat Miss Hall (rec. 15), I 9-0. . Miss Columbus had'the best oi the game from the beginning, out-driving and volleying her opponent, who did not appear to have any, confidence. in her shots. She continually' drove into' the" net, and lacked ihe initiative of her opponent. ' MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Third Round. W. Sheppard and Miss Buchanan beat.C. Bowen and Miss Dalziel,. 6-1, 6-3. G. Patterson and Miss Speirs beat O. Angaa and Miss Reed, 6-0, 6-1. ' J. Mercer and Miss Columbus beat D. Hale and Miss Wake, 6-2, 6-3. W. Sqmerville and Miss Ferrier beat Pi Harman and Miss Andrews, 5-6, 6-3, 6-4J Semi-Finals. W. Patterson Irad Miss Speirs beat Somerville and Miss .Ferrier, 6-2, 6-4. W. Sheppard and Miss Buchanan beat J. Mercer and Miss Columbus, 6-5, 6-1. All the players, started cautiously except Somerville, who hit hard at everything. His service at times was excellent, and often left .Patterson" standing. On the whole, the play ( w'as not brilliant, the players being content to keep up long rallies. There was very little between the players in the first four games, bui; from then on and Miss Speirs dominated the game, winning the first set 6-2 and ,the.second 6-4. The'second set was more -even, although, the play was dull, Somerville'a service being the only bright spot in the game. < MEN'S DOUBLES HANDICAP. . Third Round. 8. W. Field and* W. Somerville (owe 4-6 15) beat 3. R. Dodds and J. Longtorl (scr),. J. and A. Mercer (owe 2-6 15) beat H. Tillman and E, Orbell (owe 2-6 15), 9-6. Semi-Finals. . Field, and Somerville beat Mercer and Meroer, 9-5. A._L.- Wood and E. G. Burn (owe 15) beat W, Sheppard and C. Angag (owe 30), ir-8. i Final. A. L. Wood, and E. O. Burn beat W. Somerville and S. W. Field, 9-6. , T h3«_was one of the last matches of the day. The light was very bad, and the wet balls made the play all the more difficult. The games,were hard fought, and the rallies stubbornly contested. Wood drove and served excellently, and. was ably supported by Burns, who took 1 some very difficult, volleys at the net. Somerville and Field played very steadily. They base.d their attack. on deej>. driving, and followed up quickly to the net. It was then that Woods' driving became noticeable. Tims after tima he beat, his opponents with accurate drives down the side line. With the score at 5-5 no one could predict to whom tho set would go. Through sheer doggedness Woods and Burns took the next three games, but Field and Somerville fought stubbornly for every point and through excellent net play Drought the score up to 8-6. But Wood's serving again became formidable, and Wood and Burns won the final game. MIXED DOUBLES HANDICAP. Third Hound. ; J. Mercer and Miss. A. Columbus (owe 4-6 15) beat J. Bramall and Miss Hewlett (owe 2-6 15), 9-3. J. Goss and Miss Goss (scr) beat W. Morrison and Miss Ward (owe 15), 9-8. . "W. Hawkins and Miss E. Baker (owe 4-6 15) beat E/ 'Bowen and Miss Dalziel (scr) '9*4* .D.* Johnston and Mrs Miles (owe 1-8 15) beat P. Harman rnd Miss Andrew (owe 4-6 15), 9-7. V MEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP.

J Semi-finals. K. Walker and C. B. Loughnan beat W. Sheppard and C. Angas, 6-2, 6-8, 7-5. G-. Qllivjer and K. Browning beat E. and T..Prebble, 6-0, 6-4 In the Walker-Loughnan, Sheppard-Angas match, the play was very fast and rigorous. Loughnan was the outstanding player, smashing and volleying with great accuracy. In the 6rst set Sheppard and Angas seemed to be»off form, and seemed content to allow their opponents to make the pace. In the secon<? and third sets, however, the play brightened up, and if the first set had been, played in the same manner it is difficult to say who would Have won the match.

MEN'S SINGLES HANDICAP. First Grade Semi-final. H. Tillman (owo 2-6 15) beat C. Bowen (scr), 9-4. ■ TO-DAY'S GAMES. The Tournament Committee met at the conclusion of play yesterday and decided that the following remaining handicap matches should be commenced at 10.30 a.m. to-day:— LADIES' DOUBLES HANDICAP. Pinal. Misses Gibson and McLaren (Timaru) v. Misses Ward and Wright (Christchurch). COMBINED DOUBLES HANDICAP. Semi-Final.

Miss Colombui and Mercer v. Mrs Miles and Johnston. Miss Goss and J. Goss v. Mrs Baker and W. Hawkins, The winners will meet in the final. The committee has decided that the finals of the championship events shall be played at Wildinp Park next Saturday, as follows: — 1.30 —Men's singles: T. W. Patterson v. B. B. Loughnan. 2 p.m.—Ladies' doubles: Misses M. E. Spelra >nd Y. f errier v. Hisses M. Wake and E. Buchanan. 2.4s—Men's doubles: G. Ollivier and R. Browning, v. K. J. Walker and B. B. Loughnan.' B.ls—Mixed doubles: Miss Buchanan and Sheppard v. Miss Speirs and Patterson.