LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 449, 6 March 1909, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(Bt Inteh-Clcb.) No inter-club matches wero played last Saturday, all fixtures being postponed to cnablo players to attend tho Wellington-Can-terbury annual match. Tho perfect day made tennis as pleasant for tile spectators as for tho players. Tho seating accommodation was taxed, and many visitors took up their stand much nearer tho courts than was pleasant for tho players. Although Canterbury was without the services of Wilding, its team was strong, aud it gavn Wellington a most exciting "go." Tho rubbers stood 4 all, with Peacock and Fisher v. Goss and Kiver 1 set all, and the Canterbury pair leading s—l5 —1 in tho final set, and it speaks well for tho generalship of the local pair in creeping up, evening, and eventually winning a match which already seemed lost. Olliyicr, who played first single, has a free swinging drive, both fore-hand and back hand being equally effective, and his American service was strong—tho second service camo in as swift as the first. Swanston was troubled very much at times by Olljvier's serve, apparently dealing too softly with it. Brown negotiated it more successfully, letting go freoly at it, and following it up. Quill had an unpleasant spill in the double which no doubt put him off his stroke for a while. His play in this match was steady and resourceful, but not so brilliant as his exhibition against Peacock in tho single. Quill has modelled his play after tbo style of Parker, and, on the whole, has boon very successful. His least successful shot it that short-drop shot, which ho docs not cover up well. Consequently, if his opponent anticipates it, ho wil. bo thero as soon as tho ball, and often make a winning shot off it. Goss and Kiver are a first-class pair, tho former rising to tho occasion, and playing a very dashing game at times. His many years' experience, on tho tennis courts, aiways ,mako him a difficult man to beat. Bonnington and Pearsc, with less years to their credit, havo a long record in Cantorbury tennis, and both justified their inclusion in tho team. .'. !.'

Much disappointment was expressed at no ladies coming up with the team, especially as Canterbury lias nominated four ladies for tho Sydney tour. Surely if this province possesses ladies strong enough to bo nominated for a Now Zealand representative team, 'they must bo good enough to participate in an mterprovincial contest.

The names of tho ladies, who havo been picked to play .against Now South Wales have been reported. They will probably be paired as follow:—Misses Powdrell and Numiolov, Misses Ward and Wellwood, and Misses Travers and Gray. The team will leave Wellington on April 16. It is hoped that a match will bo arranged between the New Zealand ladies and a Victorian team, which is expected to be in Sydney at that time.

Tho Sykes C.D.B. colonial tennis ball, which has given general satisfaction throughout the past season, has been adopted for tho New Zealand championships of 1909. Mr. T. R. Quill, of Christchurch, accompanied by Mrs. Quill, leaves for England this week. Mr. Quill intends playing at all tho principal tournaments in Great Britain and on tho .Continent, and hopes to be back to compete in tho New Zealand championships at Auckland next Christmas. .

Miss Nunneley put up a very fino porformanco last week in winning the ladies' handicap singles of tho Thorndon Club from owo 40. Mise Seed (received 15) camo through to tho final, only to be beaten 6—4, 6—2 by'tho ex-lady champion. Tho recent Nelson meeting, besides being such a delightful tournament from a tennis player's point of viow, has been very successful financially—some £25 being the share of tho profits which comes to tho New Zealand Association.

Tho Otago championships aro to bo played in Dunedin at Easter. Ollivier (Christ church) and Sinclair (Dunodin) nro making a bid for the men's doubles, and several.of our local players aro speaking of making tho trip.

At tho conclusion of the business at tho recent Now Zealand Council meeting, , Mr. Malcolm Ross, chairman, on behalf of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, presented Mr. G. N. Goldio, the popular and hard-working secretary, with a handsome gold watch suitably engraved, Mr. Ross, in a very happy speech, told how the secretary had worked for the sport, and that it was in a largo measure duo to Mr. Goldio that tho game of lawn tennis had mado such great advancement k New Zealand of late years. Mr. Goldie, in tho courso of his reply, fcolmgly thanked ono and all, and said that, although he had been debarred through lack of opportunity to obtain honours for Now on the courts, as so many present had done, he had endeavoured to do his littlo for the sport as secrotary, and it indeed was gratjfying to him that his efforts wero appreciated. Ho was loudly applauded throughout, and also when he resumed his seat. Tho West Coast Association holds its championships at Easter in Greymouth. At last year s tonrnament, which was held at Hokitika, Alan M'Lean beat Lyttelton in tho final of the championship singles. This meeting is held in Wcstport, Rcefton, Hokitika, and Greymouth. alternately.