LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1617, 7 December 1912, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

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; -THE .CUP THE PLAY THEREIN., New Zealand". Championships—Hastings, •®3-'D4iMntblr-'26, 27,'28; if : S Australasian Championships-—Hastings, December 80/31, January 1. 'Hastings Club's Championships and Handicaps—To follow Australasian meet-

ing. ■■ Pahiatua Club's Championships and Handicaps—Pahiatua, January .1 and

Hawke's Bay Championships and Dannevirke Club's Handicaps—Dannevirke,

January 4, 5, and 7. Taranaki Lawn . Tennis " Association Championship and Handicap Tournament—At New. Plymouth, on January 1G,'17,18. Wairarapa Open Championships and Masterton Club's Handicaps—Hasterton, , January 22, 23, and 24. Notes on the Club Matches. ' The clerk of the weather was in sorry mood last Saturday, and as a result the "parched" grass courts at Day's Bay received the benefit of a considerable downpour during the morning. This necessitated the postponement of the fixtures Which were to have been played The city courts, however, dried up somewhat, and play was possible, so that the day was. not altogether devoid of interest. . The matches in which the Victoria College men were' to have participated were also postponed on account of, military obligations. This, is quite in order, however. . A good day spent under martial rule is just as enjoyable as a day of tennis, and the probabilities are that when evening came the Victoria College Territorials had received enough exercise to warrant a satisfying feeling of contentment. There have,, in fact, been so many postponements that one more will make no difference.

In . the matches which did. take place some interesting play 1 was seen. Brougham Hill and Newtown had an even "go," the former emerging 'victors by one rubber and 14 games. Playing tor Newtown, Eedward started well, but failed to last. Taking the first set from Hunter, he fell in the next two somewhat easily. Showing plenty of good drivingand net play, Hunter \made few mistakes ill the'two last sets. • •

H. V. Howe struck something like his old form, and disturbed Simpson considerably by his strong feature—good placing. Crowes was apparently having an "off day," for he should have done much better against Howe, senior. Had he been in his true form, the score would have probably been in his favour. Playing in the doubles, however, with Martin, he recovered, with the result that he and partner triumphed over a fairly good pair. ■ Bedwaril likewise got warmed up, and playing with Simpson in the doubles, received his downfall in tho singles.

In the junior competition, the encounter between Newtown and ICarori went neck to neck, the honours falling to Newtown by the narrow margin of five games. Putnam, ploying for Karori, had T. Jones in difficulties. After Jones's long spell from playing, this was hardly 'unexpected. Trinity Church pnoved weak against Brougham Hill. Not one of their team secured a set. Swinburne, however, put up the best game against Edwards. % In the ladies' matches, the best game of the day was that between Miss Travcrs and Miss Davis. Playing for Wellington, Miss Travera (after the first set) could not apparently get in hor usual powerful drives to advantage, and there were frequent long rallies. In the second set these drew applause from the spectators. On the day. Miss Davis played remarkably weii, and deserves congratulation on putting up tho good fight which she did. There are very few ladies in Wellington who could give a similar exhibition against such an experienced and fine player as Miss Travers. The doubles match—Miss Travero and Mrs. Goldie versus Misses Davis and AToher—was also productive of fair tennis. The winners oould not have allowed any more possible chances, winning as they did by only two games in all. ■ Miss Williams was too strong for Miss Morgan,' although Miss Morgan can do much better if really worked up. Miss Williams made few mistakes, and in tho doubles (playing with Miss Cock) there was only one pair in it. Tlie men's matches in the other competitions wero somewhat one-sided. In the ladies' third grado competition, Brougham Hill just managed to beat Victoria College by three games. The Tournaments This Summer. Tennis players are being well catered for this season in respect of tournaments, and one more. tournament is announced this week, viz.,-.the Taranoki open ohampionahip WWTOS and handicap' tournajaaat. TJiW W tn place at Wot?

| mouth Lawn Tennis Club courts on I Thursday afternoon, Friday, and Saturday, January 16, 17, and 18, 1913, The programme provides for the play of men's and ladies' doubles and singles and combined ©vents in both the championship and handicaps, and tho meeting will bo regulated by the usual conditions. The Australasian championships will of oourse bo tho bis draw this season, and the Hastings courts will witness many keen battles during tho Christmas and New Year holidays. Tho Pahiatua Club also holds its tournament at New Year. After participating in play at these two places enthusiasts can journey to Dannevirko and take part in the Dannevirke tournament and also tho Hawke's Bay championships, which aro to bo .decided there. Taranaki claims next attention, and then Wairarapa. Davis Cup—the Conqueror of Brookes. Tho burning topic of conversation in tennis circles this week lias been the remarkably fine play shown by J. C. Parke, of the British Isles team in the Davis Cup struggle. In defeating Brookes in such decided fashion, Parke has, of oourse, placed himself right in the worlds limelight. One littlo dreamt that the mighty Brookes would suffer defeat, i but how this was accomplished has already been Hashed across the wires from Aus-. tralia, and by this time all parts of the world have learned tho great newa. _ Taking the play in the contest right through, it appears that tho men's fine driving powor was their chief characteristic. Net or Base Line Play? Brilliant corner-to-corner and passing shots troubled the Australians, and it perplexes one to really decide which Is the more dangerous game of the two — net or base line play. When one reads of lightning-like drives beating Brookes at the .net, it surely appears that, after ell, base-line play has many points in its favour. We are . informed that Parke executed his drives with remarkable perfection, either deep down the side-lines or from corner to corner. Truly he is a wonder. , Tho doubles, as was cxpected, went to Australia. Dunlop and Parke for their respective sides were the shining lights on this occasion. Dunlop seems to dive into everything that comes anywhere near, and then he completely buries the ball with beautiful decision. As a double combination, Brookes and Dunlop are unbeatable. C. P. Dixon, the English captain, could not quite find form inst prior to the contest, and had decided to stand'down. Fortunately for them he was persuaded to. enter, and. after all executed some brilliant play. The contest will live long m the memory of us all as being the most sensational and ono 6i the most brilliant on record.