LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 51, 23 November 1907, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

(By -Intkr-Club.)

The first round of the Shield contest was completed last Saturday. The weather, was not very favourable in town, the high wind being very much felt on both clubs' courts, where the matches were being played.

Wellington met and defeated Brougham Hill on the bitter's courts by 8 sets to 5 (89 games to 79).' Fisher played a tricky game against Laishley, who did not seem to get going until too late. Fisher's service was coming off very well, and lie was always at the net to kill the return. By the way, tbo rule re foot faulting was overlooked in this match. Fisher was certainly foot-faulting,

and was not called once by the umpire. Swanston was in good form, and played a dashing game against Peacock, who did not soeni' to' uo up to his usual standard. Peacock's service was-weak, but the high wind may have had something to do with it. Swanston won o—l. young adopted his usual tactics of running his opponent from side to side, and always seemed to ho at the net ready to kill a weak return. Wilson played a good game, better than the score. (d— 3) denotes. Brown and Hunter had the hardest light in the singles. Both men drove hard, anil Hunter's volleying was particularly good; early in the match, whilst Brown put in some beautiful passing shots' towards the finish. Alter 7 all was called, they ran game and game until Hunter secured a lead and won 14—12. Mrs. Goldic played her best game this season against MissTravcrs, who defeated her 7—5, after a very close game. -Mrs. Hickson was playing at her best, and won from Mrs. Bell, 7—l. Much interest was taken iu the men's doubles, Fisher and Peaccock against Swanston and Laishlpy. -The latter pair wore out to win, and did win, 9—3. Laishloy played much hotter than in his single, and some-of his smashing was brilliant. This player always finishes his smash, the point'being either won or. lost outright. Swanston's low- volleying and fine back-hand drives did much towards the win. Peacock and Fisher both did good work, the latter player having, a knack of returning balls which seem to have positively beaten him. .Wilson and Brown were.too good for Young and Quinnel.-.vrliq did not work, well together. The Green and Cook v. Hunter and Lindsay match wont in favour.of the Wellington pair, but not until 11—9. was roached. Mrs. Hickson and Miss Ward defeated Mesdames 'Goldie and 13611, u— o, all four advantage, games going to Wellington.. Mesdames Howe and Lindsay gave Mrs. Reeves and Miss Travers a good run, scoring 4games against them. , Qumnell, and, Mrs..' Lindsay looked like winning; the combined when leading but,a little over-anxious-; ness -f QuinnoU's, in taking some of his parfr-. nor's balls, allowed.Cooke and.Miss Ward.to even, and finally . win 9—7. Mrs. Lindsay played a very safe game. Lindsay and Mrs. Howe were too steady for Green and Mrs. Reeves, winning 7—l. Green is not seen to the. same advantage in a combined as he is m a single or a men's double. ■■ It is rather a pity that somb of the.clubs play advantage sets in these contests, as when long games'are played it invariably means that the last match or two have to he played in the dusk, which is hardly fair, to the players concerned; '•'..,.' --■

Victoria College-defeated Newtown on the latter's cburts by 7 sets to 6 (75. games to 83). The advantage of -games .W'asvm ' the. loser's favour. G. Prouso beat Morris: after a very even game, the latter- player drivesbeing very 'accurate'.and"of'- good .length. Prouso is'playing a fine game, and if lie continues tc improve as he has boen'doing of late he will soon" be classed amongst Wellington s very kst players. Bcero is coming up to the mark again,- and only suffered defeat (8—0) from I'\ P. Wilson. Nagle, after getting a lead 6—2 from "{hitman, slackened off as Hunter did when the Newtown player beat hint. Pntman crept' up, making 8 all, and then took the' set 9-8. Miss Van Stavern defeated Mrs., Nagle, 7—2, the latter lady being much troubled, by her opponent's cut drives. The winner's style of .jplay -is very tolling, and. her strokes, especially; the: cut ones, are very serviceable when a high wind is in evidence. Miss Roberts became' exasperated at Miss Glasgow's constant return of the ball, and let fly at them with the result 7—l in favour of Newtown. Prouso .and Beere, who play an excellent double, both being good at overhead work, defeated Morris and Redward somewhat easily, \ 9—2. 0. Prouse and Anderson (the latter player seems to improve with ovory match) put up a.good record against Wilson and Nagle, 'Pntman and Knight doing equally well against Low and Brailsford. Misses Van Stavern and Roberts had a close game with Mrs. Nagle and Miss Clark. Miss Van Stavern is playing particularly well. On her form, she should bo more than noticeableat tho_:Now Zoaland tournament.- Misses.Scott and ,Cox played pluckily against their moro experienced opponents, Misses Glasgow and Robinson. Anderson and Miss Cox. did well to beat Brailsford and' Miss Clark. The'second combined wont somewhat easily to Newtown. This concluded the first • round of the Shield. Wellington, 3 wins;'no losses; Brougham Hill,, 2 wins, 1 loss; Victoria College, 1 win, 2 losses, Newtown, no wins, 3 losses.

Tn,tho Cup contest Khandallah defeated Petone (8 sr.ts to 5). Fleming was in good form and played an excellentjgamc against Kirk. Corneal pave Richardson a- groat run, and it was anybody's game until the. last stroke. .Tones, a very promising young Khail■■dallah player, won both his. ; games. The, 'Khandallah team was. not the strongest that the elub can put in the field, and if it is going to he in the running the' tail must be strengthened. ... ..... ,-.

Brougham Hill defeated Wellington at Day's Day, 7 sets to 6 (81 games all). One of the most interesting games was between Warn and Watkins, two very promising players. Both have a good style and • hit: very hard. Watkins put the most" pace into his shots, but Ward is more accurate with his smashes. Watkins won 9—6. Both ladies' singles went to Wellington. Misses FarmJr and Morgan played well for Brougham Mill.

Newtown defeated Victoria College at Day's Bay, 7 sots to 6. Lewis and Grady had comfortaolo wins from.-D.. Smith and Tiichlebaunu Sheppard and 'ludliope had a hard vantage set, and Fair won .die..only, men's single lor tho College, beating Hutson o—4. Missfcs MeKellar and Mclntosli were just too good 'for Misses lledward and Christie, winning B—C.

At a meeting of the New ' Zealand Lawn Tennis Association hold. last.week ,it .was suggested to send a team of. six ladies to Sydney in March to play in an inter-State match against New South Wales, if that Association could make arrangements for the accom-mod.iti-jii of the team. The'match played at Christchurch during tho last Now Zealand tournament, New.South Wales v. New Zealand, was, for some unaccountable reason, abandoned after the New Zealand ladies had secured a win, and it is to be hopod that, should our team of ladies bo sent to Australia, the competition will be played right out, whatever the result.

There is keen-interest already being shown amongst the ladies who'have hopes'of'doing well at the Now Zealand meeting, and thereby being brought into prominence. It is natural to surmise'that the team will be picked on the form shown at New Plymouth.'. There is little doubt about Misses Nunneley and Powdrell being picked, but the other four ■will give the selection committee some thinking to do, as there aro quite a dozen ladies who will have to be considered.

For the Pennant,-Brougham-Hill B secured a good win against Victoria Collego B, and Johnsonville was equally .successful' against Victoria College A. .

In ihc Raoquet contest Muritai, still in a winning vein, defeated Victoria -, Collego A. Kilbirnie added another win to the list by heating-Victoria College B'. Brougham Hill B sprang a surprise on the Brougham Hill A by defeating them 6 sets to 1.

The Thistle Tennis Club opened their temporary conut at Roseneath on Saturday afternoon under very favourable circumstances, the lawn being' nicely sheltered from the strong northerly which was blowing. There was a good attendance of members and friends. A few games were played, and afternoon tea was served. The chairman in his opening reniarks referred to the necessity of a recreation ground for the residents of Rosoncath. and hoped that all present would help tbo-club to that end. The court- was for mally opened by Mr. Smith, the president of the club, who referred to the intentions of the club, which is only in its infancy, but as there is a strong committee at work big things may be expected in the future. Messrs. Steens and Wishart also spoke on the benefits derivable from tennis. The club is indebted to ilr. P. .Watt for the use of his lawn for this season. As the Roseneath School Committee, is forming tennis courts in the school grounds, .it is the intention of the olub to cooperate with them, and they expect to have two full-sized courts ready for nest seasou.