LADIES' PLAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18904, 20 January 1927, Page 12

LADIES' PLAY.

IMPROVEMENT WANTED

[THE PEESS Sped*! Service.]

WELLINGTON, January 19,

In the last few daya it has been demonstrated that there is very little wrong with New Zealand tenuis so far as the men are concerned, but the position in regard to ladies'-tennis is not so'reassuring. Miss May Spoil*, an ex-New Zealand champion, has stated quite emphatically that ladies' tennis in New Zealand is slipping back. Miss Srteirs, however, did not think that the ladies were to blame, Rather, she blamed the- mon who, sho declared, thought only of themselves and would not spare a little time to help the ladies. , „„ , r , r ~. ' "Is Miss Spcirs right?" Mr M. i'->. Denniston, chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association was asked today. , . ~ . "I have come, to the conclusion that ladies' tennis is not as good as it was when Mrs Sturmer (frequently misnamed Mrs von Sturmer) was at her best," he said. "She played better tennis than any girl playing now. The reason rests jiartly with the ladies themselves. For instance, I know one leading player (who shall be nameless) who has repeatedly, been offered advice by men and has consistently declined to take that advice. The ladies' play at Auckland this year was, in my opinion, not so good as that suown at Christchurch last year when Miss Speirs herself won the championship. This was partly due to lack of concentration prior to the tournament and an unduo over anxiousness to win their games, which resulted in their getting away from their natural style. They went for safety instead of playing naturally. That was particularly noticeable in Miss Speirs' own case in Auckland. If any reason is to be ■assigned for Miss Speirs' defeat in Auckland it can be put down, to use the words of Mrs Hodges (formerly Miss' Eva Baird), a well-known New Zealand ex-champion, to faulty footwork. I remember attention being drawn to this in Christchurch last year. Mrs Hodges, by the way, is a player of repute, a keen critic and a shrewd judge, and is v in a position to give advice which I am passing en second hand.

"Leading men players cannot, rather than will not, spare then- time to give the ladies the benefit of their advice and expert play Very few women players go to the trouble, of watching the stroke production of leading players, and that is one way in which one's game can be improved immensely. 1 am sure tho men players would respond if they were invited by the ladies to help them. It is difficult for a man to volunteer his assistance when there is a chance of its being refused. It rests with the ladies themselves to seek the advice, assistance, and cooperation of those men who have the best interests of the game at heart."

N.S.W. TEAM. A CIVIC WELCOME. The Now South Wales tennis team, Messrs F. Peach (captain), N. Peach, J. McCausland, J. Fitzgerald, C. Brewster, J. McKay (manager), and Dr. A. h. North, arrived in Christchurch yesterday morning and were welcomed on the station by Tennia Association officials. At mid-day the Mayor (Mr 3. K. Archer) presided at an enthusiastic civic welcome to the Tisiting team. • Mr Archer said that two or three of the players were not new to New Zealand, and had played here on previous occasions. They had earned a great reputation as clean sportsmen. He did not.wish to individualise in speaking of the team, hut Dr. North, after his brilliant play in the singles championship at Palmerston North, was particularly welcome.

Mr W. N. Seay said that all Canterbury tennis players were pleased to have a visit by the New South Wales team. Mr F. Wilding, K.C., and Mr W. Goss, also extended a welcome, to the team. In replying, Mr McKay said that Christchurch had been the place that they had been most anxious to reach during their tour. The value of visits of international teams was very great in promoting goodwill between Britain's possessions, and the nations of the world. Mr F. Peach also replied thanking tho Mayor and citizens for their welcome. Three cheers for tho team wero given by those assembled. CANTERBURY CHAMPIONSHIPS. COMMENCE TO-DAY. The Canterbury provincial tennis championships will commence at Wilding Park today. The grass courts at the Park will be officially opened for the tournament, and everything has been put in readiness for the play. Seating accommodation for 3000 people is being provided in a special stadium. Apart from the New South Wales team, most of the entrants are Canterbury and South Canterbury players. Order of Play. The following matches are scheduled to commence-at 9 a.m. sharp to-day:— Men's Singles—Court 1, J. McCausland (N.S.W.) v. P. G. Greenwood; court 2, G. Ollivier v. K. A. North; court 3, 0. Brewster (N.S.W.) t, W. Pearse (South I

Canterbury); court 4, Dr. A. L. North (N.S.W.) v. C. A. Cuff; court 5. G. G. Aitken v G. H. Holford; court 6, N. Matson v. J. H. IV. Sheppard; court 7, X. Barlow v. C. W; Collins; court 8, R. A. Row v. D. F. Glanville; court 9, F B. Hale v. V. E. Page; court 10, W. H. Ogicr v. L. W. Leslie; court 11, A. Borrows v. B. B. Loughnan; court 12, W. G. Morrison v. W. R. Robinson.

The following matches arc set down to commence at 10 o'clock: — Women's Singles—Miss M. Andrews v. Miss M. Ward, Miss Y. Fcrrier v. Miss M. Sowden, Miss I Thwaites v. Miss K. Scott, Miss L. Perkins v. Miss E. Stewart, Miss I. McMullan v. Miss E. Nutt, Miss G. Rankin v. Miss M. Wake, Miss B. Macdonald v. Mrs M. A. Stedman. Men's Singles—S. D. Denton v. Q. Wright, W. G. Gerard v. I. A. Seay, F. S. Wilding v. G. C. Bonnington The following matches are set down to commence at 10.30 a.m.:— Men's Singles—N. Peach (N.S.W.) v. C. Angas, Wm. Goss v. J. Fitzgerald (N.S.W.). All other competitors must be in attendance at 10.30 a.m. The Tournament Committee desires it to be understood that in consequence of the large entry, any players not being ready to play when called upon may be scratched. DANNEVIRKE TOURNAMENT (PMSS iSBOCUriOR TILtOBAU.) DANNEVIRKE, January 19. The following finals were decided in the Dannevirke lawn tennis tournament:— Men's Singles—Sandrall (Palmcrston North). Ladies' Championship Singles—Miss Howe (Wellington). Men's Championship Doubles—Sandrall (Palmcrston North) and Griffiths (Auckland). Ladies' Championship Doubles—Mm Hctley and Miss Snow Clark (Napier). Ladies' Handicap Singles—Miss McFarlane (Auckland) owe 10.