LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1650, 6 January 1914, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

THE PALMERSTON TOURNAMENT. (By ' TeleeraJrfi.— Pteei- Association.) ..••■;.. Pahlatua, January .5. The Tennis Club's annual Pahiatua tournament, which started on January 1, was concluded to-day. There were 180 entries, constituting a record. Tho results' are:— ■ Championship Doubles. "Powdreil (Wanganui) and Gawith [MiiSjterton) beat Staiiiton Broa. (Waipawa),- 6V5, 6—l. ' ; ! -Men's Handicap-Singles. ■ ■ Mitchell (Wellington) beat Hamer (Wellington), 70—68. Combined Chapipionship Doubles. Miss R. Hughes and J. G. Swainson beat Mrs. Scott and'PowdreU (Wajiganui), 9—5.,. . ■ • . . rllen's Handicap Doubles. Gawith (Mastorton) and Soundy (Gis--horue)''beat Howe- and Hamor (Wellington), '"Men's Championship Singles. J. G. Swainson .beat Powdrcll, re-, tired. ■ '' ...Men's Handicap Singles. J. N. Stainton (Waipawa) beat Powdreil, 75—69. Combined Handicap Doubles. Miss L. D..'Hughes'and Thynno beat Miss Hodgo'(Otaki) and Gawith, 50—41. v .'. Ladios' Handicap Singles. Miss Hodge beat Miss L. D. Hughes, retired, 40—23. Ladies' Championship Singles. Miss R. Hughes beat Miss L. D. Hughes. " ' ■ . Ladies' Handicap Doubles. Misses'L. M. and L. K. Hughes boat Misses R. Hughes and Booth, GO—ss.' MOTOR-PACED CYCLE RECORD(By Tolqirraph.—Proes Aeioclallon.) Timaru, January 5. On tho Caledonian track A..G. Donald this evening cut down tho motor paced eyclo , 'record for two miles. Tho conditions woro not of tho best, as a shower roado t.lm inuik somewhat greasy and

the motor skidded at the corners. Moreover, tho motor gave out and stopoed half a lap from homo. Notwithstanding this drawback, Donald covered tho two miles in Sniin. 'J8 4-sscc. 'Hie first milo was covered in Iniin. 38 4-oscc. The motor had a wind shield fixed.

RUGBY IN CALIFORNIA,

GAME STEADILY IMPROVING

"Notwithstanding that tho New Zcalanders had a triumphal tour through California', I am of opinion that American Rugby football has improved since last year." This statement was made by Mr. W. W. Hill, of Sydney, who visited America at tho invitation of tho Californian and Stanford Universities to refereo th<nr recent annual matcu. "This particular match gave me an opportunity of judging whether any progress: had been made since the visit of the Waratahs to California," said Mr. Hill, "and 1 must say that. .. the standard of back play has advanced. The forwards were- fairly evenly matched, but they, ivcro not exceptionally strong." Referring to the New Zcalandera, Mr. Hill stated that tho overwhelming defeats of somo of the sides was duo solely to tho poorness of tho local forwards. Tho Californian backs were all right, but when it came to tho forwards attempting to hold their own against, the solidity of .the New Zealand pack, the weak spots in Californian Rugby were quickly brought to light. Without ■ detracting from tho successes achieved by the New Zcalaiiders, Ml. Hill was- of opinion that tho brilliancy of the New Zealand backs was due to tho fact that, owing to the mastery of their forwards <<}cx the local men, thero was little defence to bo beaten. Consequently, ; .he ball was thrown about in a bewildering fashion, and huge sores resulted, lie did cot think that this New Zealand team was as strong as the- famous "'All Black , ' combination, .although , the forwards, compared very favourably with the vanguard of that team. As a matter of fact, Mr. Hill thinks that if Now South Wales can develop two or three solid forwards, the New. Zealanders will meet worthy opponents v.hon they visit that State next season.

"In somo places in America, where the 'Waratah' forwards completely mastered, tho'local men, the scores put up were just as huge as tho tdals amassed by tho New Zcalanders," concluded the secretary of the Now South Wales' Rugby Union. "Our backs were little,.if anything, inferior to those of the New Zealand team, and as already stated if'we can unearth a few solid running forwards, New Zealand is going -to meet trouble." '