LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1651, 18 January 1913, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

[By FOOTFAULT.]

ENCOMIUMS FROM DIXONi , " \ Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association Championship and Handicap Tournament—At New Plymouth to-day (January 18), lost day. ■ ' ; ■■-. Wairarapa Open Championships and Mnsterton I Club's Handicap—Maslerton, January 22, 23, and 24. . ;.'

British Captain's Opinion of • Thorndon Courts.; ',':.'. ~'' Those brilliant people—the British laics players—left; a whole host' of friends on their departure from our shores. It may be ■ mentioned that they'are nil of opinion with regard to the manner in which they had been received throughout New Zealand. .It was of Wellington, however, in ■ which, their genial captain (Dixon) spoke.in superlatives. Apart: from general arrangements, he 'was,,particularly well pjeasod with,the,court at Thorndon; on which, the (W, 'Hors-v woos had,focused. ...both care ■'■. and skill.Horswood in,fact,was personally complimented by the English'captain upw the condition of the ground, more especially on the second day, when it hail recovered from the drenching southerly rain that had descended two. days before. ■[.'■;' On the wharf; just prior to leaving by tho Ulimaroa, Mr. Dixon reiterated this, statement to Mr...A. L. Berry (Secretary), and added that, of all the courts which he had.played on—both in Australia end New Zealand—ho considered Thorndon to be most' like the world .famous j,cehtjp court at Wimbledon. . High "philstf, Ma.-, deed! , '.. : ■. ■ ■•' .. :.' Shall We See Thorn Again? ". ''~ Another, item of .interest to followers of the game was the very.cordial invitation extended by. the Hon. F.:M., B. Ffshei. to Mr. Dixon to bring out another, team during the next two years, and tho likelihood ofiits ,bcing accepted.: : i--1/ixori has remarked that the recent visit will prove, bt inestimable value to players generally throughout the country, llow, much,more so then.'will a series of visil3 go to achieve this end?' Olio sincerely trusts, the'reft/re that we may again have the pleasure nf witnessing further contests,between British'.lsle's and ijew Zealand players.' , .■'.".'-.■'."■ ■■' : (Club Matches—Men's iSOnior Grade...'-,; Now to our lo'caT'matches. •'The' Wellington senior men's, team did not enter the arena at full strength, and, ns a result, fell , to : Brougham Hill (likewise situated), but fortunately for tho'latter liipy found a worthy little substitute in Eric Reeves. The first single-that, between Harold Brown and Hunter—was .rather remarkable for On uo occasion did Hunter. appeaT to press Brown, who ran out at casj ■ viniifet- by two.love sets. ■ '"■ The match, Coliimb 'v.. H. V. Howemuch to everyone's surprise—ran to the full three sets.' : Cohimb repeatedly passed ilowe by side-line shots, but tairards the end of the match Howe managed to cut short his tactics, and with judioicufl placing had not much difficulty in annexing the necessary aces to ensure his victory. ■,-■'.' ''■'■■■• "■ ~ Sampson and J. A. B. Howe were well matched in the first set, but; thereafter Howe fell nway somewhat. .'.'.- Fernie, who-does not particularly shine in match play, was creditably beaten by Erie Reeves, who, as indicated, seems to Ixs a most promising young a player. If Heevos is well'advised he will not overtax his strength to coine into first-class play, it present his club-mates should see that he secures suitable practice, and docs not undertake too much until both. physique and game are fully developed. -,■... . The doubles in both cases were won by Brougham' Hill after somewhat'close .contests, In both cases the Wellington men had a lead of 4—l in the last and final sets, only to be gradually .overhauled and to lose-in .tho first case: by two games and in the second by one;- , Men's Junior. ' '.'.'.'"•,.': In the men's junior grade, Trinity Church had an easy victory over Johnsou villc. Hall, for Johnsonville, was tho only one to put up anything liken good, game. Both'tho matches in which he played ran into three sets, and. indeed, these were the only matches that ran their full course. ■' ■ ■ Kurori played up well lndcfenfang lulbirnie. The Henderson'. brothers had close finishes in their matches, only re : quiring a few points to come out on' the other side, ', , Kean, of Brougham-Hill, was a little too confident in meeting Fathers, of Victoria College. Fathers had obtained some good practice during tho holidays. This stood him in good stead, and his condition was all that could be desired, ~ Voen, who turned out for the first occasion for some little time,, put up a good light against Clere, .playing., three hard sets, besides a double. Men's Third Grade, In tho men's third grade matches Brougham Hill A had a handsome win over Trinity Church, the scoro being G rubbers to love. Their confreres in tho B team likewise had a good win against Newtown. Wellington, who stand a good chance of winning this contest, wcro also victorious over Island Bay. Hunt, of Wellington, made few mistakes against Balfo, winning by a margin of G games!* Men's Fourth Grade. In the men's fourth grade the most conspicuous win was that obtained by Brougham Hill . against Johusorivillo. Brougham Hill only won by six sets to love, and only had 12 games 6Cored against them. ' . ' Ladies' Junior Grade, Brougham Hill had a good win over Newtown. Miss Mack, who has recently returned from Sydney, played well in defeating Miss Powell. Miss Plimmer did not play up to' her usual form, although,' I on the day, Miss Chirk deserved her win. ; Partnered by Miss Vcitch in the doubles, Miss Clark had another creditable win. ■Trinity. Church were handicapped by dcfaultiii!,' members. Hnd their full lenm been available in tho match against Island Bay nn exceedingly close contest would, no doubt, havo resulted.