LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1593, 9 November 1912, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

[By "Footfault."]

Davis Cup challenge round (British Isles v. Australasia)— Melbourne, Novoni- ' . tor 28, 29, 30. ; New Zealand Championships—Hastings, December 26, 27, 28. Australasian Clmmpionships—Hastings, December 30, 31, January 1. Eastings Club Championships and Handicaps— Hastings, follows ' Australasian championships, Pnhiatua Club Championships and Handicaps—Pahiatua, January 1 and 2. Thorndon Glut Notes. The Thonidoi Club was more fortunate in weather last Saturday than on the previous week, and the opening of the courts took place in tho presence of a number of Spectators. Formality was dispoiisod with, and play was commenced by Mr. It. M. Simpson, the president of the club, who has just returned from a visit to England. .It gave pleasure to all to see this popular veteran once more wielding the racket. Although a high wind was. blowing outside,, it was not felt on the grounds. At : ono time and another during, the proceedings admiration, was expressed at tho condition of the courts. Altogether it was a very enjoyable afternoon. Amongst the players wore Misa Nun* neiey and Mi6B TravOrt, and Messrs. Swansto'n, Peacock, Whyto. Parsons; and Salinond.- The Hon.. Mr. Fisher was unable to be present. Club MatshM to-day. The Wellington inter-club matches will commence to-tf.ay, as, after' considerable trouble, six Of tho courts at' Day's Bay have been prepared, for' play, and next Saturday there will be twelve available. . The entries for tho compctititihs are so ' largo that oven with the use of all the town cbufts, the committee (Messrs. iSeere, Berry, and Kean),, which -has the arrangement, of the season's fixtures in hand: .find that it will be impossible to avoid postponing some of tie matches, as the number of courts available is quite inadequate to meet the demand. The Club Entry Figures. The total entries number forty*two. The, figures for the respeotivo grades are as follow :— ' Jlen's'Oompetition.— Senior 4,junior 10, third grade 1, fourth grade 6. Ladies' Competition.—Senior 5> junior: 3,- third grade 7. ■It .is regrettable that the Jetone Club has withdrawn its entry, as heretofore it has always put in teams of 'keen players. In regard to tho forthcoming matches, captains' of teams are .asked to l'cavfc result sheets at Afmit's,. Lambfon Quay, not later than- 9 oTclock oil Saturday night. A strict observance of this regulation is desired. Secretaries of clubs are also requested to send. in. team lists' to Mr, Berry, secretary of the- Match Committee, not later than the Thursday before tho ihatcli is to be played. " . Uyall Bay Club, The Lyall Bay Tennis Ciiib's ground is now completed, and.the official opening will fate place on November 30. .There -aro throe asphalt courts, which will be available to members for practice to?ctay. Khandallah. Club. The Khandallah Club has,commenced . a sealed . handicap men's and . ladies' singles.' Brougham Hilt is also busy working off its handicaps.. Wellirtgtoit''CiubV " """""" " . On Labour Day, the 'Wellington Club worked off a sealed handicap Yankee tournament, Whioti :.was won by Irons and Miss JD, William?'(scr.), who topped the' list with nine wins. , ' College Club. The Victoria' College Club's senior team this year 'will consist of B. C. J. Beere* G. ll.Cleghom, J'. B> Parker, and D. S. Smith. ■ English Cup Men at Practice," ''. Members of the L.T.A, of Victoria wefer on; Saturday afternoon (says, the Melbourne "ArgUs" of' October 28) privileged to witness Messrs. 0. P. Dixon and :J\ G. PaVke, two of the member's of the British Isles Davis Cup team, and who will be probably selected, to play in the singles matches, iit practice on the association's lawns. ■ .Owing to some heavy raii'in.the forenoon, the court was not ouite so- fast as it otherwise would have beem, but even this fact did not seem to mitigate to any apparent extent the severity of their game. , Both players .possess: a perfect style, and with ease and grace of motion added, and an agility which in the case of DiScm. is . rather remarkable (he is almost list, in weight), they are without' doubt two worthy exponents.of this game, of games. Dixon possess some particularly brilliant shots, 'amongst which may be noted bis forehand drive, -which he executes with consummate ease from any part of the court. Be it a high hound or a low ball* Dixon strikes it with great mfioe- and accuracy. His backhand stroke is also a very fine shot, possessing a beautiful, length with a great deal or cu',t; in fact, Dixon seems to be particularly, fond Of imparting a Cut to.the majority of his backhand strokes; and.liis cut volleys are remarkably well placed and. severe. In Parke one sees a player of very similar style to Dixon,.the only apparent; difference being the entire absence of any. work on the-ball. His service and ground strokes are beautifully timed, rind his backhand strokes seem to be well-nigh perfect, both as regards severity and ease, of execution. Parke belongs to that .order of pfoyen that tries for every ball, and tnfle. after time lie effected some remarkably fine saving shots, While on mors than one occasion he collided with the back ftmmnf, over- 20ft. behind the. base line,, in his efforts to.reach the ball. _..,.., ~ Since the arrival of the British team, there has been n marked, increase in medemand for-scats,, which is now over GO a'day. Nearly 1300 have already been brioked, and those who wish, to reserve, their seats before the box plan, opens, on November 11, should apply promptly in writing to the hon. secretary ot th<s LTA. of Victoria, 101 Swanstoil Street, and at the same time forward 7s. 6d. and 2s. Gd. preliminary booking fee for each seat required on each, day.