LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

———• (Bt Inter-Club.) The only excitement now left in the interclub matches is tho competition amongst the third-olass players for the pennant championship. Tho Postponement Committee declared all matches off Inst Saturday, but had no sooner done so than the weather cleared, and a fine afternoon developed. For all that, the cup contest was decided, owing ,to Brougham Hill defaulting to Newtown, and consequently the latter club has scoured the cup and championship. The winners, although seniors last year, were compolled for various reasons to .. play junior this year,.and.have worked through tho competition in a creditable manner. Their new courts should be ready for play in a month or so, and tenuis players generally will hope to see them re-enter for tho senior championship. The Wellington Club finishes second, and a very close second indeed, as in actual play they are only one championship point behind the winners, and have won more sets and games and lost less in matches played-than the champion club. Newtown has earned its victory, and,' considering that the club has been without a home, the result is most praiseworthy. Brougham Hill certainly gave the Newtown members the use of the Lloyd Street corner, and in return the Newtown ladies have presented a trophy for competition amongst the Brougham Hill ladies. Petone has finished np a good third, and Brougham Hill, last year's winners, almost with them for that place, being just one point behind. Hutt Club has won four out of the ten matches played, and finishes fifth. This club was expected to finish near the front, but failed to win matches when victory seemed within its grasp—that is, on the form shown by its club members.. It should be able to put in a stronger team next season, and its players should improve, as they have the finest courts in the Wellington district to practise on. ■ Tho KaTori team was in and out in its play, only securing three wins out of 11 played, bat its players are mostly ,on the young side, and can be expected to improve with experience. ' 'Brougham Hill B team cheerfully accepted defeat time after, time, but'it can be safely said enjoyed its .matches as much as its conquerors did. By its last win it takes a place above Victoria College, having annexed more sets than the club that comes last on tho list.

Victoria College, although last, can always, bo reckoned upon as good sports, game to tako a boating and to take it with a smile. ■' The Pennant competition is still undecided. Muritai and Brougham Hill being practically level. In fact, should the first-named win from College A to-day the two clubs will tie with eight wins and three losses each. Then they will have to play off. But should V.C. win, there is only one satisfactory way to decide the competition, and that is. to play the third round right out. Tho Newtown team has, so far, as many _ championship points as. Victoria College, and' is as much entitled to remain in tho competition as the other club, even though it lias played one more match. The Brougham Hill championships are all well advanced, and 'are expected to be concluded by Easter. The men's championship doubles was won by Swanston and J. A. B. Howe, who, after disposing of. Williams and O'Leary in the first round, and Hunter and Lindsay in the second, beat Laishley and Herd, BHS, 6—l, in the final. In' the ladies' doubles Misses Sullivan and Davis sprang a surprise by defeating Mosdames Burton and Howe—two. sets straight. Misses Morgan and Creacy's win over Misses Farmer and Murray was well earned, if somewhat unexpected, whilst' Misses Hayes and Rothschild put up a very good fight against Mrs.-Goldieand Miss Archer. Miss Morgan, by winning from Miss Cronibie, and Miss Farmer, througli scoring a win against Miss Archer, have reached tho semi-final of the ladies' singles. , There wire- 10 'entries for the men's singles, which will be fought out between Swanston and Laishley, both having worked through to the final Hunter took a set off Swanston _ in the second round, and Young made a big bid for the first set against Swanston in the semi-final, having the lead s—l at one time, only to lose the 6et 5—7. The second set went to Swanston, 6—3. Watkins and Lindsay had a close go, the second set.running into 10—8 before Lindsay could claim victory. J. A. B. Howe took the first set from Laishley, 7—5, but lost the next two, 6-0, 6—l. H. Howe had a somewhat easy win from Lindsay, and then he.too fell a victim,to Laishley in the semi-final after a good fight, Swanston scored a decided victory over Fisherin the semi-final of the Thorndon championship, beating him 'hree sots to one, 4—6, 6—3, 6—l, 7—5. Both 'men played fine tennis, and.Fisher made a desperate struggle to gain the fourth set, whilst his opponent fought equally hard to wia it, which ho eventually did, and thus qualified to meet Peacock in the final. This ij to be played off this afternoon. Intending competitors at the forthcoming Easter tournament are reminded that entries olose on Friday, April 2, at 5 p.m. Some doubt has been expressed as to whether the senior meeting will be held on tho Thorndon or tho Day's Bay courts. Naturally senior players favour tho Thorndon courts, as the trip across the bay, which is so delightful in summei\ loses its attraction when tho evenings draw, in and cooler weather advances.