LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18889, 3 January 1927, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS.

♦ THE NEW CHAMPIONS. K.Z. TOURNEY AT AUCKLAND. 2E!i (PEISS HJOCIiTIOX TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, January I. The final stages of the New Zealand laws tennis Championship Tournament were reached to-day, and as the result the new champions are:— Men'* singles: E. D. Andrews (Paluerston North). Ladies' singles: Miss Anita Howe (Wellington). Men's doubles: L. G. Knott and N, G. Sturt (Auckland). Ladies' doubles: Misses N. Lloyd and J. Wation (N.S.W.). Combined doubles: Miss M. Spiers (Canterbury) and D. G. Trance (Wellington). Boys' Singles: E. Malfroy (Wellington). As the result of one entry for the girls's singles beiug invalid, Miss Delia Newton (Auckland) was the only competitor. She was awarded a gold medal, hut it will bo a question for appeal to the committee of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association whether she ■ball hold the trophy and the title. The final of the men's singles between North and Andrews -went the

fall distance before Andrews won, 2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. Andrews did not settle down so quickly as North, whose play was very accurate. Andrews worked himself into form in the second set, but eould not capture the lead, and in the third and fourth sets Andrews bad North racing from corner to corner. Andrews struck an execellent length, and drove inches inside the sideline on many occasions. North tired, bat made a stand in the final set, which went to throe all before Andrews won. One o£ the surprises of the tournament was the splendid showing of Knott and Sturt (Auckland) in the men|s doubles, and they rounded off their series of victories by defeating Norman and Prank Peaeh (N.S.W.), in the final, 6-2, 8-6, 4-6, 10-8. After the first set the games were hard fought, goinfc chiefly with the service. All four played spectacular tennis. The Peaches drove and lobbed well. Knott and 'Sturt both drove with great vigour, while Knott was particularly good in.overhead work iiom tho three-quar-ter eourt. The match was one of the most spectacular of the tournament, and as an exhibition of hard hitting and cceoracy combined, has seldom been equalled in.the New Zealand champion- ' ships. Miss Speirs and France again won the combined doubles championship, be- : inj the only one of last year's win- j ners to repeat success in the final against Mies Knight and Sims. 1 ranee was particularly versatile, placing cleverly,' and making fine recoveries. Mips Speirs also scored.at the net, and in cross-court driving. The Auckland pair made frequent errors, although Miss Knight shone in hard driving. ttalfroy had little difficulty in winning the boys' singles championship for the second successive year. Turner, whom met in tho played well np to standard, but could not seriously extepd the champion. The Anthony Wilding Memorial Cup for -ihterprovihcial competition .waswon by Wellington, with 8 points. Auckland secured 3 points, New South Wales 2,' and Canterbury 1. Friday's Play. ' The outstanding surprise of Friday's pliy was the defeat of Miss-May Speirs, the Canterbury holder of the ladies' singles, title by Miss Anita Howe, of Wellington, 6-3, 6-4. The new lady champion, who won the New Zealand Girls' championship in 1919, 1020, and 1921, played an attractive game. She was helped to victory by. a wonderful cross-court forehand drive, whieh, times out of number, flashed past Miss Speirs, . leavinjr'her helpfail. Hiss Speirs took the first three games in the first set, and Miss Howe annexed the next six in a row, thus winning the set. Miss Howe captured, the lead in the second set. By a great effort. Miss Speirs evened the games at • four all, but that was her last effort, and, winning the next two games, Howe- became the new champion amid loud applause from the stands 'The mea J a singles semi-final between Haege atid North, lasted two and three quarter, hours, before North gained the -victory. Haege played a magnificent uphill mme as the fact of four advantage ihowM "wish two sets in hand North' looked to have the match safe, hut'Haego wrested tho third and. fourth sets, and contested tho fifth set to the last point. North was master of the situation almost throughout. His drive* were- of excellent length •while his net smashes and placements had Haege completely 'deceived. Haege was kept on the run forlong spells, but be wade some won- * derful recoveries. Both players execut-ed-some pretty shots, Haege s smashing being spectacular* but less accurate than usual. Andrews defeated Bartleet m an unexpectedly easy manner. The first sot was evenly contosted, but Bartleet was netting tind outdriving frequently toward' the close, and Andrews took the set, following this by capturing the next to love. Altogether Andrews won ten games in a row'. Bartleet ran ahead iii the third set leading 4-1, and having set'point at 5-4. Andrews drew level, taking the set and the match, mostlj on Bartleet's errors. Frank and -Norman Peach reached the semi-finals of tho men « riter a long struggle with Bartleet and L'oLson. The Peaches improved witt the -progress of the game, and in. the •vital fifth net played splendid tenuis. In the final of the ladies' doubles .Misses Lloyd ..nd Watson overwhelmec the Auckland pair. Misses knight and Cnlebrook, winning ti l, ' l>-3 in the combined doubles. Miss Lni rnd Kims reached the semHu.al in " l'ottom half of the di{iw by deflating Miss Myers and Mi-Causlantl. MUX'S SiNUIXS. . 1 Semi-final*. ; Dr. A. I- Nor": ''' ' AcfircwP! ( i'alimrst'jn North) bea 'j; jj Eirt.ett iAui-k'.nnd}, C-j. o-0. 6-5. Pinal. H. f>. A Til re'" * beat Dr. A. I- North. -■£ 4 8. li t. 0-0. C-3. LADES' SIMtLKS. Semi finutf. Mis* Spfcirs tt'nnterbury> beat ilis J.' Walton (N.S.W.). C 3. Mi»s. A: Hove (Wrlluujtun) 'jtat -Mrs \v J.Melody (Wellington). 6-a, -J-6. 6-0. Kiiis!. Mus Howe beat Mise Speirs. 6">. C-4. MEN'S DOUBLES. " Third Hound. 1.. G. Knott and L. 0. Sturt (Auckland brat P. Haege <Victoria) and C. K. Mslfro (Wellington), 5-7. 7-5. J-6, 6-4, 7-5. . Semi-finals. L N. Peach and P. Peach f.N.S.W.) beat i I 1.. Bartleet and H. L; Kotsou (Auckland 1 5-7, 2-8, 6-3, 6-3, 7.5. R h. 0. Kriott and L. Sturt (Auckland ■ heat Dr. A. L. Korth and J. llcCausl»n B (5.8. W.), 4-fl, 7-5, 8-6, 6-8, 6-1. • Rnsl." Knott' sod Start beat N. Peach and 1 fl-2, 8-6, 4-6, 10 3. -I»ADI£S' DOUBLES.

Final. Misses N/ 5 Lloyd and J. Watson (N.S.W.) beat Misses B. Knight and if. Colebrook (Auckland), 6-1, 6-3. COMBINED DOUBLES. First Round. Miss D. Nicholls and L. G. Knott (Auckland) beat Miss M. Lovry (Hastings) and E. D. Andrews (Palmerston North), 7-3, 6-4. Second Round. Miss M. Myers (Wanganui) and J. McCausland (New South Wales) beat Mrs W. J. Melody (Wellington) and M, L. Lampfl (Wanganui), 0-6, 6-2, 6-2. Miss E. Hale (Takitimu) and F. Peach (N.S.W.) beat Miss D. Nicholls and L. G. Knott (Auckland), JO-8, 3-6, 6-0. Third Round. • Mrs Scolt Watson and 11. Brinsden (Auck' land) beat Miss N. Lloyd (New South Wales) and A. 0. Wallace (Waverley), 6-3, 6-2. Miss Mvers and McCausland beat Miss B. Witherow (Auckland) and 0. Brewster (New South Wales), 6-2, 6-2. Miss B. Knight and A. W. Sims (Auckland) beat Mlsb J. Watson and Dr. A, L. North (N.S.W.), 7-0. 9-7. Miss M. Speirs (Canterbury) and D. G. France (Wellington) beat Mis 3E. Hale (Takitimu) and X. Peach (N.S.W.), 6-3, 0-1. Semi-final. Miss Knight and Sims best Miji Myers and McCausland, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0. Miss Speirs and France beat Mrs bcott Watson and H. Brinsden (Auckland), 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. Final. iliss Speirs and France beat Miss Knight and A. W. Sims (Auckland). 6-4, 6-1. BOYS' SINGLES. Second Round. E. K. Turner (Auckland) won from C. K. Harrison (Auckland), by default. M. Ferkins (Wellington) beat D. Peait (Auckland), 6-5, 6-5. Third Round. Turner beat Ferkins, 6-3, 6-3. 0. E. Malfroy (Wellington) beat 0. G. Bowden (Auckland), 6-1, 6-0.

Final. C. E. Malfroy (Wellington) beat E. H; K. Turner (Auckland), 6-1, 60.

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

[THB PEEEB 8p«clal Serrlce.]

AUCKLAND, January 1

Youth achieved a notable triumph at the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Championships, concluded to-day. E. D. Andrews, the new men's singles champion, is only twenty-one, while tho new holders of nion's doubles title, L. uKnott and N. U. Sturt, are 21 and 1J respectively. In tho other events a similar tendency is shown. Miss Anita Howe, new ladies' singles (hampioi), was' girl champion in l9iy ; 1/20, and 1921. It is a noteworthy tact tuat Andrews was also boy champion in 1921 and 1922, so that the boy and girl 'champions of 11#1 are Now Zealand champions fuve years later. Andrews had to fight hard against Dr. North for tho men's title, winning 2-6, 4-G, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. With North playing, steady, "accurate tennis, and Andrews outdriving and netting, it appeared likely that the title would go overseas. North'won the first set very easily,; but in the second Andrews gave glimpses of better form. However, North won the set without being pushed. Then Andrews took a .grip on his game. His placements were very accurate and his length excellent. His side-line driving was particularly impressive, as many as thrfi© baite in succession landing on tho. chalk line. North • had to run from. corner to corner, and this wore down his resistance, Andrews evening the sets at two., all. North fought pluckily in the nftn set, but could go no further than three all. Three of the sets lasted fifteen; minutes t and the second and fifth lasted 20 minutes. . A tricky wind had players in difficulties at times, especially in side-line drives. • . .

The victory of Knott and Sturt in the final of the men's doubles was' very popular, probably because it was unexcected. They were not given a place in " the Auckland team to play New South Wales, but to-day they suceeded in defeating Frank and Norman_ Peach, the visitor^'-crack doubles pair-, 6-2, 8-G, 4-0, 10-B.' It Was a 1 close match all the wny. Perhaps, had Norman Peach played a. more restrained game instead of attempting winning drives, -which shot into the net, the -Australians might have/worn •/ Nevertheless the Auckland pair played a fine gaime, returning with int'erst all their opponents' shots. • Knott was''particularly impressive in overhead work, killing lob. after lob from near the centre line.- - Sturt" also hit hard and accurately. The Australians relied more on lobbing, but both the Peaches sent some hot shots across the net. It was an .exceptionally fine match of highly spectacular tennis.

Miss Spiers and l>on France retained ,he title of combined doubles cham-

pions by defeating the Auckland pair, Miss Knigl.it and Sims. . France was master of the court, nnd played with rare cleverness. He varied .his shots well, scoring, very, fine placements, and making, good saving strokes. Miss Speirs was also right on her game, although her first service was. invariably inaccurate". The Aucklanders lost many points in errors, Sims especially having an "off" day. The big snrprise of the New Zealand Lawn TenniS Giampionship tournament was" sprung on Friday, when Miss Anita Howe,, of Wellington, deprived Miss May Speirs, of Christchurch, of the ladies' singles title by defeating her in the final, 6-3, 6-4. Miss Howe had previousdly beaten Mrs W. J. Melody, the 1924 champion, in the semi-final, 6-3, 2-6, 6-0, so that she can justly claim premier honours. Miss Hdwo is the possessor of a lightning forehand drive, which she flashed across the court at frequent intervals. She scai-ce.ly drews the racquet back, but uses the power of the wrist so that tho opposing player has no hint of when this wonderful point;winning stroke will be released. Miss Speirs could not put a racquet on this specialty shot.

The second set was 5-4 in favour of Miss Howe, and the score was' deuce when a disconcerting incident happened.; Miss Howe lobbed the ball just over tho net, and Miss Speirs, taking ■no risks, . waited for the bounce, but the wind blew the ball back over

the net out of Miss Speirs' reach. That gave Miss Howe a match point, and she clinched the chance with the next shot. Miss Howe is a member of the

Brougham Hill Club, Wellington, and comes from a tennis family. Her father, H. V. Howe, and her uncle, J. ■A. B. Howe, were for years the best doubles pair in Wellington.

THE TEST TEAM. TO MEET NEW SOUTH WALES. (rst39 tssocwfios riLEGRAU I AUCKLAND, January '2. The selectors, Messrs E. W. Griffiths, 11. Browning, and D. Murray Ivcan, have chosen the following team to repiesent New Zealand in the lawn tennis test match against New South Wales nt Wellington on January 14th and loth: E. 1). Andrews (l'almerston North). G. OUivier (Canterbury). X. u. C. Wilson (Wellington). E. Ij. Bartleet (Auckland). f„ G. Knott (Auckland). X. Sturt (Aucidand).

•Emergencies, in order of merit._ ure as . followsD G. France (Wellington), C. K. Malfroy (Wellington), L. A. France (Wellington), I. A. Seay (Canterbury), A. W. Sims (Auckland), and E. Is. W. Smyth (Wellington). In selecting the team, the selectors have taken into consideration the undoubted weakness obtaining in.. New Zealand doubles, play, and are of' opinion that the exceptional-performance of the present holders of the doubles championship. Knott and Sturt, entitles them to s place in. the team, not-with-standing the claims of others on their singles

UNITED CLUB'S TOURNEY. PLAY CONTINUES TO-DAY. Good entries were received in the United Tennis Club's tournament, which was commenced at the club's greens on Saturday. About one-third of the entries was received from outside clubs. The courts were in perfect order for excellent tennis. To-day the play will be continued. Results of Saturday's games are as follows: LADIES' SINGLES HANDICAP, first llound.—Mi:>s Cooper (scr), walk over; Miss Donaldson (15), walk-over; Mis.s Napier scr), walk over; Miss "Wilson (receive 3-6 15) beat Miss Cooke (m:t); Miss Mcllrce (owe 3-6, 15) beat Miss O. Spencer Bower (rec. 3-6. 15); Miss Seymour (n-c. :i-6 15) lost to Miss Lance (scr); Miss Youn:; (owe 3-0 15), walk over; Miss Aitken (scr) beat Miss M. Scott (owe 3-6 15); Miss K. Scott (owe 3-6 15) beat Miss A. Hewlett (owe 3-6 15): Miss Fleetwood (rec. 15) beat Miss Rich (rec. 15); Miss Reed (owe 3C) beat Miss Taylor (scr);- Miss Borrows (owe IS), Miss Sherris (rec. 15), and iliss WcW (owe 15) each won by default. Second Round. —Miss Donaldson beat Miss Cooper, 0-8; Miss Napier beat Miss Wilson, 9-2; Miss Lance beat Miss Mcllree, 9-3; Misa K. Scott, walk-over; Miss Borrows, walk over; Miss Sherris beat Miss Webb, 9-C. Third Round.—Miss Donaldson beat Miss Napier, 9-0. LADIES' SINGLES (OPEN). First Round. —Miss Wake beat Miss E. Borrows, 6-1, 6-2; Miss F. Cooper, walk over; Miss Aitken, walk over; Miss H. Jones beat Miss N. Reed, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; Miss M. Scott beat Miss Seymour, G-3, 0-3; Miss Saunders beat Miss A. Hewlett, 7-5, 6-1; Miss Webb, walk over. Second Round. —Miss Wake beat Miss Cooper, 6-2, 6-3; Miss Jones beat Miss Aitken, 6-2, 0-4; Miss K. Scott, walk over; Misa Saunders beat Miss Webb ,0-0, 6-3. Third Round. —Miss Wake beat Miss Jones, 6-2, 0-3. MEN'S SINGLES (OPEN). First Round.—E. G. Burn, walk over; A. Borrows beat A. G. Jamieson, 6-1, 6-1; F. M. Allison beat F. J. Hutchison, 6-0, 6-1; 11. 0. Ford beat A. Aitken, 6-2, 6-2; K. R. Mahan beat A. Steeds, 7-5, 6-3; J. R. Johnston beat A. Burns, 6-1, 6-4; A. L. Wood, walk over; W. Goss, sen., beat M. Renton, 7-S, 6-1; J. C. Cullinan beat W. P. Clayton, 0-2,' 6-1; R. H. Henley, walk over; S. D. Denton beat R. Franklyn, 6-1, 6-1; 11. Dymond beat L. J. Findlav, 6-1. 6-_; R..A. Row beat G. Skellerup, 0-3, 6-3; J. llollcj, walk over; M. G. Munns beat It. Jones, 9-i, 9-7. Second Round.—Borrows beat Burns. 6-0, 6-0; Allison beat Morrison, 0-3, 7-5; Mahan beat Ford, 6-0, 7-5; Wood beat Johnston, 4-6, 0-1, 0-0; Goss beat Cullinan, 3-0, 6-0, 0-2; Denton beat, Henley, 6-3, 0-0; Row beat Dymottd, 6-1, 6-2; Munns beat Holler, 6--, Third Round. —Row beat Munns, 6-3, 4-6,

COMBINED HANDICAP. First Round. —Johnston nnd Miss Taylor (owo 15) beat Clayton nnd Miss Young (owe 8-6 15); Aitken and Miss Aitken, wnlk over; Boss and Mrs Saville (roc. 15), walk over; Renton nnd Miss Jones (owe 15 3-6), walk over; Fleetwood and Miss Fleetwood ,ove 3-6 15), walk over; Borrows and Miss Borrows (owe 30, 3-6) beat Jones and Miss Cooper (scr); Wood and Miss Mpier (owe 15 3-6) walk over; Skellerup and Miss Webb (rec. 3-6, 15). walk over: Jamieson and Miss Rieli (scr), walk over; Findlay and Mrs Findlay (3-6, 15) beat Ward and Miss Eobson (owe 15, 3-6), walk over; Morrison and Mrs Westall (owe 15, 3-C), walk o\cr, Burn and Miss Hewlett (owe 3-6. 15), walkover; N. G, Henley and Miss Mcllree (owe 3-6, 15), walk over. Second Round.—Clayton and Miss \ounp: beat Johnston and Miss Taylor, 9-G; Ross and Mrs Saville heat Aitken and Miss Aitken, 9-7- Fleetwood and Miss Fleetwood beat Kenton and Miss Jones. 9-4; Skellerup and Mrs Webb, walk over; Findlay and Mrs iindlay beat Jamieson and Miss Rich, 9-5. Third Round. —Ross and Mrs Saville beat Clayton and: Mrs Young, 9-5. COMBINED DOUBLES (OPEN).

First Round.—Goss and Miss. Wako beat Henley and Miss Sherris, 6-2, 6-3 Skellerup and Miss Webb beat Johnston and Miss Taylor, 3-6 6-4, 6-2; Aitken and Miss Aitken beat Henley and Miss Mcllree, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3; Jones and Miss Cooper, walk over; Ford and Miss Reed beat Morrison and Miss Robson, 8-6, 6-4; Renton and Miss Jones beat Clayton and Miss Young, 6-1, 6-3; Burn and Miss Hewlett beat Harman and Miss Cooke; Borrows and -Miss Borrows beat Dymond and Mrs Westall, 6-4, 6-3. Second Round.—Ford ajid Miss Reed beat Renton and Miss Jones, 6-3, 6^2. LADIES' DOUBLES (OPEN). First Round'.—Misses Aitken and '\\ebfe beat Misses,Donaldson »nd Sherris, 0-2,. 6-2 ; Misses Borrows and Mcllree beat Misses Cooper and Lance, 1-6, 9-7, 6-2; Misses Scott beat Misses Hewlett and Fleetwood, 6.-1, 6.-1; Mjsseß Wake and Saunders beat Misses Reed and ,Robson, 6-1, .6-1. / " Setond Round.—Misses Wake and Saunders beat Misses Scott 6-1, 6-4.

MEN'S DOUBLES HANDICAP. First Round.—Clayton and Steeds (s«), walk over; Jones nnd Skellerup (owo 3-iB, la) beat Franklyn and Hutchison, (owe 3-0, 15), 9.4; Gobs nnd Borrows (owe SO, 3-6) beat Ford and Dymond (owe 15, 3-6),- SM; Row and Denton (owo 30) beat Henley and Henley (owe 15). 9-5; Wood and Burn (owe 15, 3-6) beat Aitken and Jamieson (rec. a-fi, 15) 9-1; Lewis and "Burns (owe 3-6, lo) beat Ross and Fleetwood (scr), 0-7; Cullman nnd Johnson (owe 15, 3-6), walk over; Allison and Mahan (owe 15, 3-6) beat Greenhill and Morrison (owe 3-6, 15), Second Round.—Wood and Bum beat Lewis and Burns, 9-8. LADIES' DOUBLES HANDICAP.

First Round. —The Misses Scott (owe 15). walk over; Misses Sherris and Donaldson (ree. 3-G, lo) beat MissuS Napier and Jetcoate (scr), 9-2; Misses Cooper and Lance (owe 3-6, 15), walk over; Misses Reed and Robson (owe 30), walk over; Misses S. Bo\ven and ' Seymour (scr), walk over; Misses Webb and Aitken (owe 15) beat Mrs Findlay and. Mrs Westell (owe 15). 9-1; Misses Borrows and Mcllree (owe 15) beat Misses Young and Rich (owe 3-6, 15), 9-4; Misses Hewlett and Fleetwood (owe 15), walk over. Second Round.—Misses Scott beat Misses SherTis. and Donaldson, 9-5; Misses Reed and Robson beat Misses Cooper and Lance, 9-4; Misses Webb and Aitken beat Misses Bowen and Seymour, 9-0. men;s' doubles (open).

First Round.—Allison and Mahan. walk over; Johnston and Cullinan, walk over; Morrison and Greenhill beat Hutchison and Franklyn, 6-4, 6-5; Denton nnd Row beat Jones and '-ellerup, 6-3, 6-1; Burn and Wood beat Dymond and Ford, 6-1, 6-4; Borrows and Goes beatMunns nnd Aitken, G-C, 6-3; Clayton and Steeds, walk over; Henley and Henley, walk over.

, Second Round.—Johnston and Cullinan beat Allison and Malian, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3; Denton and Row beat Morrison and Greenhill, 6-3,6-3. MEN'S SINGLES HANDICAP.

First Round.—Jones (scr) beat Ross (scr), 9-1; Henley (scr) beat Fleetwood (scr), 9-7; Cullman (owe 15) beat Allison (owe 15, 3-6). 9-0; Lewis free. 3-6, 35) beat Hutchison (scr). 9-8; Skellerup (owe 3-6, 15), walk over; Johnston (owe 15), walk over: Mahnn (owe 3-6. 15) beat Munns (owe 15), 9-5: Burn (owe 15), walk over; Wood (owe 15, 3-6) beat Holley (scr), 9-6; Franklyn (scr), walk over; Morrison (owe 15) beat Burns (owe 3-6, 15), 9-7; Jamieson (rec. 15), walk over; Steeds (scr) beat Clayton (owe 3-G, 15). 9-4; Aitken (rec. 3-6. 35), walk over; Findlay (rec. 15) beat Renton (owe 3-6. 35), 9-8; Henley (scr). walk over. Second Round. —Cullman beat Lewis. D S; Burn beat Mahan. 9-8; Steeds beat Aitken. 9-1; Findlay beat Henley, 9-4. Third Round.—Steeds beat Findlay, 9 S.

SURPRISE IN FRENCH TOURNAMENT. (BY CABLE—PKS3S ASSOCIATION—CORTBIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION*.) (Received January 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, December 31. In the semi-final o. the covered courts Christmas tournament, Kileen Bennett surprisingly de'eated Suzanne Deve, 6-1, 6-1. IJlle. Deve was reputed to be the third bf*9t Frenchwoman. The quality of Ayrcs' "Cbampionsliip" Tennis Balls is a tribute to the ski]) of British workmanship. Perfect in flijjht and bounce. Britain's Best Ball. _!j