LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1354, 3 February 1912, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

SOME TOURNAMENT REMARKS. ffl* TooiFunff.'T Taranaki Championships and Handicap Tournament, at Waverlor, February 22, 23. and 24. Manawatu Championship and Handicap Tournament, ~„at.,Palmcrston North, .Svjl'Febniary lOiniufclfc, "When Greek Meets Greek/' It was, a very even contest which toott' place between J. C. Peacock and It. N. K. Swanston last Saturday afternoon in tlieir fight for the Wellington provincial championship. Thoro was something disappointing about the match, however, as each player seemed too oonscious of (ho other's ]>ower. Swanston more especially soenied ill at ease, and was not nearly, so accurate as usual. Uoth players served doublo faults at rather critioal Btages of the match, though Peacock's serving was good on the whole.

Swanston made a grpat recovery in winning tho first ect by 7—5, after his opponent had lead by 4—o, but the effort cost liim a great deal, and ho did not make much of a stand in tho second set.

Tho third set was an unusually long one. Swajiston ought ocrtainly to have secured it, as no fewer than six times ho held tho advantage game, but always failed to tako the other necessary one off Peacock's servo.

Peacock was in much better form than at the New Zealand cliatnpioiiskii) meeting, and showed that he has profited by the excellent practice which ho was ablo to indulgo in at Christchurch. On tho day's play lie was the better man, although if Swanston liad not tired so quickly tho result might, have been different.

Regarding the Handicaps. , The Wellington Handicap tournament recently held at Day's Bay lias come and gone, but a few remarks regarding it will no doubt prove of interest. Brown, and Hawkins played well in carrying oil tho Moil's Handicap Doubles. They had a closo "go" against Cleghoni and de la Mare, and worked off a hugo handicap in tho final. At one stage Cowan and Wollwood—an attractive pair from Hawko's liay, who played a sharp, clean game—looked like winners in this ovent, but thoy did not, however, get past tho semi-final. ' Brown and Miss Brewster had a fairly comfortable win in tho Combined HandiCa, riio final of tho Men's Handicap Singles (second grade) provided a very clo«e finish between E. Hooves and Rawns. ley. Both players drove splendidly, but Rccres proved' the superior player. Ho thoroughly deserved his win. Parker, Crowes, and Curtis all showed pood form in the first grade Handicap Singles. , Misses Van Staveren and Davis did well to carry off the Ladies' Handicap Doubles against such a formidable pair as Misses Williams and Batliam, who did not work off any of the handicap of 12 points, and, in fact, lost by S points over and above . this. Miss Van Stavercn showed spfendid form throughout tho wholo of tho tournament, and her out drivo was something to 1)0 reckoned with. Miss N. Curtis, tho winner of tho Ladies' Handicap Singles, is a _ player who will certainly be heard of in tho future. She has a good, service, and plays at the net with force and accuracv. Slie put up a fine performance in working off a heavy handicap from M. lugg (another promising young player), and, in defeating Miss Macintosh ii\ tho until. Honour to Whom Honour, Etc, A word of praise is due to the capable secretary, Mr. Murray Keaii, who managed' tho tournamenc without a hitch of any kind. The courts were in good condition, the dressing-room accommodation was satisfactory, and tlie nrrnngeniciHS generallv left nothing to lie oesiml. The inler-club matches win be resumed to-day. An interesting wmest will Do the cup match lielwecn the I clone aiul Brougham Hill ladies, as both cso teams are now even. Fe'one, of cm r , lias the stronger team, but the Bio ghat Ilill plovers, who have .boon showing up well, will make n fight for it. Tennis Backets and Nots.-Croonet set* and extra mallets « . balls in j>'l n"*'"ties. Denton* 58 Willis Stieet. Aht.