CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 79, 29 December 1919, Page 7

CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS

NEW ZEALAND TOURNEY

RESULT OF FIRST DAY'S PLAY

Tho New Zealand Tonnis Championship Tourney was commenced on the Wellington College grounds on Saturday. 1 Conditions wore anything but' favour- | able, particularly, in tlio early hours of tho day. either for good plft.V or for the comfort of players or spectators. A cold southnrly wind swept up the courts, ' '-.and not only was it destructive of good play, hut kept oven tho players uncomfortably cool. In tiho afternoon thero was a little more warmth in tho sun, and a. littlo less bite in the wind, but tho weatiior was still "Bitterly cold. Good progress was made with, the programme for tho day, all but ona of the sobeduled matches being played, some 46 matchos in all. Tihi# is quite a good programme for six courts, but it will be difficult to sustain this rate of play in tho later days of tho tournament, when tho number of players is reduced, and tho tax on competitors increases both by tho greater number of mntches they •will be called upon to play in the day, and the greater intensity of the sames as tho tourney goes on. ■ In one -particular this tournament is beinir played'under most uncomfortable conditions—no '-refreshments of any soft are -provided on the ground. Thero is not so much as a water tap from which ' .anyone ran drink. It was found impos- • fiblo, after a irost diligent canvass of tho town, to persuade any caterer to provide refreshments. As will appeal' from the results, all men's matches were decided on the best . of five sets, and all other matches on the -*bost of three sots. Following aro the Tesults of tho play:—

Men's Championship Singles. Firc-t round: R. N. K. Swanston(Tharniion) beat A. S. Gray (Otago University), (i-2, o—l, 6—3. L. Bonnington (United. Canterbury! beat 6. P. Pritchard' (Lyall Bay), S-G. 6-0, 6-2. K. Clark (United, Canterbury) boat J. N. Stainton (Hawke's Bay), 6-2, fr-i 6-41. E. W. Griffiths (Remuera. Auckland) beat' 11. V. How» (Brougham Hill), 6-72, 6—l, 7—5. AV. M. Angus (United, Canterbury) beat. A. E. Park (Thorndon), 5-7, 0-3, 6-4, 8-6. F. S. Wilding' (Unital, Canterbury) won from C. .T. Dickie (Waverley) by default. C. JI. If. Heaps' (Thermion) boat Eric Beeves (Tliorndon), 2-6, 6-3, 10— S. 6-4. Second round: .T. G. Swainson (Paliiatua) won from y ,T. C. Nicholson (New Plymouth) by default. I)r. ,T. T. Lauren-, son (Remuera) boat E. Bnrtlett (Eden and Epsom, Auckland). 6-$, 6—4, 3—6. L. Robson (Remuera) beat A. G. Wallace (Waverley), 6—3. 6—l. G—o. D. G. Franco (Brougham Hill) beat St. L. Reeves (Tliorndon). 8-6. i—6. 6—3, 6—l. L. Franco (Broitsrhnm Kill) beat, P. E. Allison ('Otago University), 7—5, 6—4, 2-6, fl-2. Ladies' Championship Singles. First round: Miss M. M'Farlane (Eemuera) brat Mrs. J. C. Peacock (Tiorndou). 6—3, 2—6, G—4. Miss E. Travers (Wellington) beat Muss E. G., Plimmer (Thorndon), 6—l. 6—2. Mrs. 11. Parkineon (Petono) beat Miss M. Ward (Thorndon), 4—6, 6—2, 6—2. Minj M. Payton (Remuera) beat Miss N. Mantell (Tliorndon). G—o. 6-2. Mrs. W. J. Melody (Kelburn) beat. M.rs. M..H. Gordon (Mnsterton), 7—5, 6—4. Miss R. Hughes (Papiatua) beat Mrs. Marcbbanks (Thorndon), 6-4, 6—2. Men's Championship Doubles. First round: Eric Reeves and K. .T. Walker (Thorndon), beat ,T. N. nnd W. II Stainton (Hawke's Bay). 4—6, 6—2, 6—3, B—6. P. E. Allison and A. S. Gray (Otaro University) heat .T. C. Nicholson and C. B. Webster (New Plymouth). 6—2, fi—2, 6—4._ G. 11. Townall and M. L. Lanipe (Wanganui) beat W. Pearse (Teniuka, ■ Canterbury) and S. D. Denton(United. Canterbury), 5—7, 6—3. 6—3, 6—2. R.. N. TC.'Swanston and .T. C. I'eacmk (Thorndon). heat W. J. Melody (Kelburn) and W. H. Lees (Lower Hutt), 6-Ml, il—4. 6—4. ■G. Ollivier and E. S. Wilding (United, Canterbury)' bent J. G. Swainson fPabiatua) and.S. Powdreil (Wangamti) G-3, 6—2. 6—2. T. R. Quill and L. Bvinnington (United Canterbury) beat K. C. Clayton and St. !■. Rnevs (Thorndon), 6—l, 6-fl. G—3. Dr. J. T. Laurenson and L. Rolxon (Beiwwa) best E. W. Griffiths (Remuera) ond E. Harriett (Eden and Er>*om), 6—3, 6—!, B—JO, Ct-o.' ' " s?<>r,ml Pound: W. nr-d K. Clark (United, Cantei-bn'-v) !)nqt: .T. Anderson and J. T>ov-' I rell (Wane-rnii). 6—2, 6-fl. 6—2. F. W. (victoria, Collcee) and C. F- Ron* (Thorndon). beat P. H. Instn'jiP 'Broiio-Sav Fill) im! M. F. Instone (.Avouside, Canterburv), 7—5, ,2—6, 6—4, 7-9, 6—4. Ladies' Championship Doubles. Mrs. M. H. Gordon (Masterton) and Miss M. H. PavtoM (Remuera) heat Miss R. Hughes and Mrs. E. Rootli (Palliatna). 6—3. 3-6. 6-4. Mrs. W. J. Melodv (Kelburn) and Mrs. H. PorkinBon (Peking) won from Miss M. Marchbanks and 'Miss 1. Mantell (Thorndon; by default. Second Round: Mrs. E. M. Hodges and Miss 11. M'Farlane (Remuera) beat - f i-s E. Travers and Mrs. E. Whitcombe (Wellington), 6—2, •1-0; 7—5. Combined Championship Doubles. First Round: W. Goss (United, Canterbury) and Mrs. Hodges (Remuera, Auckland) beat .T. Ci Peacock and, Mrs. Peacock (Thorndon), 6—4, B—6. F. W. Martin. (Brougham Hill) and Miss M. P.wton (Remuera) boat W. J. Melody «nd Mts. Melody (Kelburn) 1 , 3—6; 'f— 5, 6—3. E. W. Griffiths, and Miss M. M'Farlano (Remuera) won from R. }n. K. Sivanston (Thorndon) and Miss E. Travers (Wellington), by. default. Second Round: W. M. Angus (United, Canterbury) and Miss I. Mantell (Thomson) won from K. C. Clayton and Miss ;M. Marchbanks (Thorndon), by default. W. 11. Lees (Lower Hutt) and Miss S. Clarkd (Ilawke's Bay) beat S. Powdreil (Wanmnui) and Mrs. B. Booth (Pahiatua), 3-6, 6-3, S-6. G. 11. Pownall and Miss. P. Welk (Wan'ganui) beat M. L. Lanipe and P. Farden (Wanjianui), 7—5, 6—2. W. Pearso • (Tenmkft) and Sirs. M. R. Gordon (Masterton) beat. D.\ J. B. Seymour and M'« 31. Ward (Thorndon), 6—3, 5—7, 6—4. If. .L Walker and Miss N. Mantell (Thorndon) beat C. A. Cuff (Te Arohn.) and Miss ,E. G. PI burner (Thorndon),' 6—4, 2-6, 6-1. Boys' Championship Singles. First Round: Dmifjlas Earle (Kelburn) beat lan Oakley (Day's 8ay),.6—2, 6—3. Girls' Championship Singles. First Round: Aileon Brooker (Wellington) beat Flora Cameron (Wellington), l>—-4, 5—6, 6—o. Second liound: Hazel Wall is (Wellington) lieat Vera Warmington (lower Hutt), 6—l, 3-6, 6—2.

; NOTES ON THE PLAY. Tlio play oil the first day of tlie tourney was perhaps lower in quality than has ever been seen at any previous New Zealand meeting. Much of this may bo attributed to tho fact that this is the first New Zealand championship meeting held since tho war began to draw our young manhood overfcas. Also it may in part ho attributed to tlio weather conditions. All over tho country the summer has been late in coming, and many of 'lie players have had hut 'little practice, especially on grass _ courts. The Auckland players were in form, and it would probably not bo unfair to attribute some of their success to tlie fact that they have been ablo to get in nitre practice in the early Bummer than the Wellington players, finely those from farther south. Aifio it would not be fair to condemn anyone for failure to make good under tho conditions prevailing. The strong wind wa.s e.':/<'eine'y disc-oncerting. Down the wind it was finite impossible to toss n ball. Every shot of this description, which is to some players a necessity of their game, went yards over the hack line. On the other hand, when tho wind was fiercest it seemed l/> be hardly possible to hit a high ball out against the wind. All players, but especially the. younger players,, of whom thero aro «. number at this meetiin, found it. impossib'e to "6how their tine form on the first day. There" have been one or txo disapnointments at the meeting. Every playnr, nnd every spectator, had looked forward to seeing Dickie nnd Yvallace, tho Waverley pair who were the champions of 1013,

in action and in form, but they have come to tho meeting without any practice, and Dickie is far from well, suffering a painful and slow recovery from sciatica. He had to decline his singles match with Wilding on Saturday, but ho intends to play with Wallace to-day, meeting liobson and Laureiiion, of Auckland. With tho Wavcrley men iu form this would -have been n match worth going far to see. Another disappointment was the scratching 5 of Swanston and Miss Travers in the combined doubles. Tho match was scheduled for 9.30, but Jfiss Travers guessed that tho courts would not bo playable for hours after this time, and sho arrived on tho giound late. In the meantime, after a wait 'of an hour, Swanston lmil had to scratch. The mishap is the more regrettable because Swanston and Miss Travers appeared to have by far tho best chanco of winning the combined championship. A feature of the first day's play was the suceca? of tho Auckland contingent.. The greatest surprise of the day was tho hollow defeat of Wallace, the 11)13 asngles champion, bv Robson, and 'Eobson won from beginning to end with tho greatest ease. Throughout tho Ancklandor played with the utmost confidence, smashing and driving with scod speed and remarkable accuracy. Wallace is fond of the side lines, even in a single, and his lack of practice cost him many points with these shots. It happened nnfOTtunately that Laurenson was drawn against Eartleet, another Ancklandor, and the most promising of the young players at tho tournament. Laurenson is iti tho third round already. He is quite sure to get into tho fourth round, and also into the fifth round, tho semi-final. He has been li.efcy in tho draw. R-obson and Swan'k'ton' have to meet, to determine which of them is to get knto tho fourth round. Each of them has to play one match before they meet, but each should win easily enough. The fight between Robson and Swanston will bo a fierce one. The Wellington man demonstrated that he has not lost his. skill in back line play bv his decisive defeat of Gray, of Otfigo"University- Gray played a clever game, but ho could not break up Swanc steadiness or master his skill in placing those very good length forehand and backhand drives, shots in which Swanston has no superior in the counify. Rcbobn must- adopt bolder tactics lo beat him, and he will probably chooso to play a different game in any cose. Staying on the back line, there is not a player in tho country wiio ever could beat Swanston. Other players who must be reckoned with in tho singles are Ollivier and Peacock, Olliyier boating tho present champion, having won in 1914,< at the last New Zealand meeting held, and Peacock, tho 1910 champion. These two have to meet in the third round, probably to-day. On their play on Saturday, neither of them-seemed to bo in best form. "Wilding won from Dickie by default in the single?, and U appears that he will have to meet Griffiths, of Ttemuera, in the fourth round. 'Ho played, only onco on Saturday, a doubio asrninsfc a weak pair, and in this frame Wilding showad only moderate •form. • t . In the men's doubles Robson and Laurenson have- to meet Dickio ond Wallace, and it is to be hoped that the Waverley men will strike! This is almost mora than can 'be expected of them, but if they wero at their V.nst the match would be one of ihe best c-f tho : tournament. They aro a pr&a-t I nation. Wallace is the most brilliant I oxponont in the country of cross com t play, and Dickie is his p-'juu! in all sa\c net jilav. The Ancklanders are younger and fitter. ' Laurenson is skilful and Robson. fiery, .yet not rcckless. The match should be a pood one. The othsi 'doubles with Rood chance,s aro Swanston and Peacock, of Wellington, and Ollivier and. Wilding, of- Chrislchurch. The Wellington pair have a good :hance of getting through to the final without danger, bnt tho Chyistchurch men will

have to meet'tho winners of this Auck-land-Waverley match to-dav in the semi-final, if they should escape defeat beforo that stage. In fho la dips' singles, Miss and Mrs. Hodges sssm to bo the likely finalists. In the dnublr* Hi? Auclclniid pair, Mrs. Hodges and Miss M'Far!r:!c. put Miss Travers and her partner out ii\ their fivst match, and t-ioy -did it py clever play. MifG Travel's was given but little 'of th= play, but on the dry she was tho strongest player oil the court.

% TO-DAY'S PLAY. .APPROXIMATE TIME-TABLE. The secretary of tlw -S.Z.L.T.A. (Mr. Arthur Poiherick) gives tua loliowing particulars with ri-a.tJice to the play arranged lor to-day. I 1 or tiie conwnienpe of tlio players i!iu following sue the times which it is expected each piaver will bo required during .tils (lay, and tf 10 matches will be,put on as nearly us possible to the times mentioned, biugle matches are reierrod to as y, I donule matches as D, and combined matches as C:— j ■ Men. P. E. Allison (D, 12.45); L. Bonninglon (D, 9.0, S, ll.aO); C. A.-Cuff (I), t'.O); (I. J. Dickie (D, 10.15); L. France (0, 9.0, I), 11.35); A. S. Gray (13, 12.45); C. 11. H. Heaps (1), 11.20, and possibly singles at 4,1 a); H. V. Howe (D, WJ); J. T. Lawenson (D, 10.15, S, 2-0); K W. Martm (!J, 9.0, S, 11.30, D, 4.15); G. Ollivier (t), 9.0, ri, 11.®); J. C. Peacock (1), 9.0, S, 11.30); S. Powdrell (S, 10-15); T. 1!. Quill (1), 9.0, b, 2.0); L. Itobson (D, 10.15, S, 2.0); ])/ J. B. Seymour (D ( 11.30. S, 3.0); 11. Ji. K. Swanstou (D, M, S, 11.30); K. J- Walker (3, 10.15, 11, 12.45); P- S. Wilding (,D, 9.0, S, 12.45); W. 11. Angus (S, 12.13); K. Clark (S, 12.45); S. D. Denton (s, _ 11-30); I). G. France (D, 11-30, S, 2,0) ;;U. Goss (C, 9.0); 1). Wi Gi'iliitlis (G, 9.0, S, 12.1.)); M. L. Lampe (D; 9.0); W. 11. locs (S, 2.0); W. J. Melody (S, 10.15); A. E. Park (D, 9.0); W. Pearse (S, 10.15, G, 4.15); G. H. Pownall (D, 9.0, C, 4.15); Erie Weaves (D, 12.45); C- H. liout (1), 4.15); J. G. Swainson (C, 9.0, S, 2.0); A. G.Wallace (D, 10.15); C. B. Webster (C, 9.0). Ladies. Miss_M. Carrick (C, 9.0, D, 2.0); Mrs. M. H. Gordon (D, 11.30. C, 4.15); Jim. M. C. Hodges (O, 9.0, H, 2.0); Mi:-s 1. Mantel 1 (may be wanted tor combined in late afternoon); Miss X. Mantell (1), 2.0); Hiss M. M'Farla'nc, (C, 9.0, S, 11.30); Mrs. H. Parkinson (C, 9, J), 11.30, S, 3.0); Mrs. J. C. Peacock (D, 2.0); -Miss K., Travel's (S, 3.0); Miss M. Ward (D, 2.0); Mis; K. Wilson (may be in late afternoon for double.:); .diss S. Clark (S, 11.30, D, 2); Mtes P. Harden CD, 2.0); Miss K: Hughes (C, 9.0, S„ 3.0); -Mrs. ,1Marchbanks (1), 2.0); Mrs. W. J. Melody (U, 11.30, S, 2.0); Miw M. Paylon (C. 9.0, ]), 11.30, S, 3-0); Miss E. G. Plimmer (mav bo wanted in late afternoon lor doubles); Miss P. Wells (D, 2.0, C, 4.15). Boys. P. C. Anderson (10.15); D. Earlo (5.0); C. Graham (3.0); J. I'owdroll (4.15); ,T.' C. Wagg (3.0); P, ]}• T. young (5.0); A. S. Jievm (12.45); F. 0. Gentry (4.15); -G. Jladdock (5.0); M. Beeves (5.0); T. li, Williams (5.0); W. Collings (4.15); G. N. '1. Goldie (4.15); L. Ji'l'hce (12.45); I. A Scay (10.15); M. A. Young (5.0).

D. R. A damson (3.0); N. Davidson (1.15); D. Hansen (r.'.Ji); H. Lapwuilh (3.0); 11, Bond 0-15': A. Urooker 02.15); il Grierson (10.15; 11. Harrington (10.15); M. Lee (3.0); O. ShrvpanJ (12.-15); G. Culver (10.15); E. Gnerf.m (10.15)j A. Howe (rj.l-5); M. Prineu (3.0): li. W.illis (probably no! required until '1 uesd.iy). '['he matehes to lift played are as under with the commencing time htntcd, but allowance must be made lor unexpected delays through courts being m use: — 0 a.m.—Oilivier and Wilding v. Quill and Bonnington; Kwanston ami Peaeoclc v. Lainpo and Pou'iiall; Cufr and Park v. I Lowe and Martin; Goss and Mrs. Hodges v. Martin and Miss Paylon; Weteter and Mrs. Parkinson v. Su'ainson and Miss Hughes, Griffiths and Miss MTnrhuie v. France and Miss Carriek. 10.15 it.iii. K. J. Walker v. S, I'owdrell; Laurcnson and Robson v. Dickie and Wallace; W. .1. Melody v. Wnnio Poarso; Maud Harrington v. Esma Grierson; Borvl Grierson v. Gwemlolino Calver; Ivan S. Seay v. Paul C. Anderson. 11.30 a.m.—J. C. Peacock v. G. Oilivier; Miss S. Clark'v. Miss M'Farlane; S- D. Denton v. F. W. Martin; Seymour and Heaps v. L. and J). G. France; Mrs. Gordon and Miss P.ivtoii v. Mesdnines Melody niift Parkinson; L. Bonnington v. 1?. N. K. Swanslon. 12.15 p.m.—Reeves and Walker v. Alii son and Gray; W. 51. \Angus v. F. S. Wilding; E. "Clark v. Ii W. Griffiths;

Aiister S, Bevin y. Lennox M'Pheoj Dulcie Hansen v. Eileen Brouker; Olivo Sheppard v. Arita Howe. . 2 p.m.—L. Eobson v. I). G. Franco; ■Misses Clark and Cnrrick v. Mcsdames Marchbanks an<l Peacock; Misses Harden and Wells v. ..Misses N. Mantell and Ward; Mrs. S. C. Hodges v. Mrs. W. J. Melody; T. K. Quill v. W. H. Lees> J. G. Swainson v. .r. T. Laurenson. 3 p.m.—Miss R. Hughes *. Miss 11. Paylon; Miss E. Travels v. Mrs. 11. Parkinson; Hughlino Lapwovtli v. Marjories Leo; Dorin I!. Adamson v. Mavis Prince; .T. C. Wagg v. Cecil Graham, possibly B. J. B. Sey,iuour v. C. A. Cuff, dependant: on morning's play. 4.15 p.m.—Martin and Rout v. CulT and Park or Howe and Martin; possibly C. 11. H. Heaps v. Iv. J, Walker ov S. I'owdrell; Pownell and Miss Wells v.' Peai'so and Mrs. Gordon; i'r. N. T. Goldie v. P. C. Gentry; Nina Davidson v. Hazel Read; William Collins v. Jack' Powdrcll. 5 p.m.— Gsoffrey Haddock v. Itaurico Reeves; B. R. T. Young v. T. R. Williams: M. A.. Young v. D. Earlc. Other matches may lie played (circumstances and players agreeing).