LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1019, 7 January 1911, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(Bs Side-line.)

Tournament Fixtures. Dannovirko Cliampionship and Handicap Tournament, January 17, 18, and 19. Wellington Provincial Championship and Jlasterton Handicap Tburnament, at Mastei'ton, January 21, 23, and 21. Entries close January 13. Peacock, in retiring from the provincial events at tho Marlborough meeting, was iherely following the usual proceedure. There is, also, a further reason for withdrawal; although probably it had no bearing on his decision—that is, tho fact that the tournament management quite., wrongly allowed Parker to enter at the last moment. This species of "kowtowing" to the reputation of players, and tho consequent probablo increase of the gate, is an unfortunate, factor in most modern sport. A chapter might bo written on this in all branches of sport.

The fact of Miss Travers and Miss Wellwood playing in tho Marlborough meeting has no bearing on the subject, the ladies at such meetings always having made a practice of playing on (even when victorious) in tho greater and previous ovent. The fact that this viewis hold, by such a sport as Mr. H. M. Gore, and felt so strongly as to impel liini to publicly express it, will be eaough without more said.

Marlborough Meeting. Tho feature of the Marlborough meeting wns the remarkable reversal of form shown by I ho leading players. .Miss Nunneley, after quite failing in the New Zealand meeting, went right through all her events, and finally finished by winning the championship, singks, doubles (with Miss Baird), combined (with Harold Brown); and'handicap singles. Miss Nunneloy evidently plays tho ,uphill ganiG well but, even then, her most decisive defeat of Miss Travers is very interesting indeed. ' That Miss Travers had reached the finals in all the championship events at each meeting must undoubtedly, by the end, have had. its effect, and presumably Miss Travers was

beginning to feel a consequent 6taleness. Her hands may have given out also. It is to be hoped that theso players will attend tho Masterton meeting, and decide who really is tho better for tho season.

11. W. Brown had a good rim, winning very consistently. Although ho only won ono event—tho combined championship with Miss Nunneley—lie wi- in. the final in both his singles, taking the set from Parker in the championship and pushing E. W. Griffiths in the handicaps. In fact lie rattled up some 17 points, while tlre.lfc.tter player was only wanting one for tha match. I. I. 1 Wilwith Miss Batiam, won the combined liandioap from E. W. Griffiths and Miss Simpson (the Taranah pair),. to whom they conceded five points fairly ell lt ? should bo noted that all trophies vrer© won by outsiders at tho meeting, Wellington players, who did go predominate, while it is said of ono player that ho has since had tho misfortune to lose tho lot. '

v Other Tournaments. Results are now to band from tho Hastings, Hawke's Bay, ami "Pahiatua.meetings Tho sarno tale of perfect conditions is told evervwhero, but ill Hawke's Bay 1 at least that almost goes without saying. Of the local players who went to Hastings only Cornell reached tho finals, doing so in both championship,singles and combined doubles. In tha semi-final of tho singles, Duncan retired in favour of Cornell. Theso events, as well as the doubles wore won by Cox, Cornell pushing him to win at 6-5 in tho second set, Webber and Rainbow taking one set ill tho doubles.' Both theso meetings wero verv well-attended,".-and much comment was made on the evident strides the game lias mado in -popularity. Hawke's Bay will produce a long list of champions in a very few years. Tho Pahiatua tourney, was most noteworthy for tho success of. the Sydney visitors, and Svrainson's victory' over Pearse, ill two straight sots; while, as if to turn the tables, Pearse, with Gawitli— a good pair—defeated Swainson and Druce in three sots.

Miss Williams proved herself to to a player of considerablo worth. winning the championship, beating Mifs N. L. Hughes 9-7; this was a great game; also the handicap singles. . With Mrs. Wardell, Hiss Williams won the doubles from scratch, beating tho Misses Hughes (owe 10) by 50—36; while Wardell and Miss Williamsbeatßoe.vo and Miss N. L. Hughes by 50—12. This lady is playing at Dnnncvirke. where, no doubt, she will receive a fairly severe handicap on account of her success, but the fact that Miss Hushes. took seven games from her, shows I hat the handicapping was quite faiiv One could wish that, were she' not sailing for' Sydney on tho 20th, she and. her party would enter for the provincials at Masterton. Duncan, of Petone, won tho s.ingles handicap, beating Marshall—both from tho same mark—by 60—30.

Dominion Tennis. A meeting of dolegates of the Wellington Provincial Association is , called fpr January 11, 'when tho motion re representation will bo discussed. The association is. steadily gathering strength, two new clubs having affiliated this season—the Y.M.C.A. (Masterton branch) and tho Tcnui Tennis Club—involving an incrcaso of some 80 affiliated members. It. N. K. Swanston and C. C. Cox are attending the Masterton meeting. Mastorton's Y.M.C.A. Club possesses two grass courts, and another in tho making.