LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 101, 22 January 1921, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

s WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENING Ofl TOURNAMENT By Telezranh.—Special Correspondent. MastertOn, January 21. The eighteenth annual Wellington championship tournament and the Wairarapa handicap meeting were commenced here to-day on the Masterton Tennis Club’s courts. Owing to heavy rain which fell during the night, and continued intermittently up to 2 o'clock, play was not started until shortly before 4 p.m. Uy that time the courts had been well soaked, and were, in consequence, slippery, and without much life. The handicap events were put on first. Following are the results:— Men's Handicap Doubles (70 up, advantage points).—First round: W. J. Melody and N. B. Berkman (10), 70 points, beat F. H. Garner and W. F. Dudson (25), 57. d'ho rest were byes. Second round: P. P. Tahiwi and W. M. Simcox (20), 70, beat E. D. Cameron and 11. S'pconer (28), 68; N. Miller and IV. Hollinge (18), 70, beat K. C. Clayton and J. W. Ward (IS), 64; Edmondson and Milburn (10), 70, beat Prosser and Noble (30), 55; J. M. Power and C. F. Williams (10), 70. beat D. K. Logan and L.‘H. Welch (25), 66; C. Kerr and R. Perkins (30) ,70, beat H. B. Maunsell and J. Maunsell (28), GO; J. Carne Bid will and W. G. Martin (28), 70. .beat P. B. Broad and H. Williams (18), 51. Ladies Handicap Doubles (50 up, advantage points).—Second round: Dr. E. G. Applegate and Miss E. Waldie (12), 50, beat Mrs. H. B. Maunsell and Miss B. Henry (20), 40. First round, a bye. Combined Handicap Doubles (.60 up, and advantage points).—E. D. Cameron and Miss M. Martin (30), 60, beat Mr. and Mrs. J. Carne Bidwill (25), 45; N. B. Berkman and Miss A. Cochrane (18), 69, beat N. W. Groves and Mrs. K. Groves (18), 51. NEW SOUTH WALES V. WELLINGTON WIN FOR THE VISITORS. The final match of the New Zealand tour’of the New South Wales tennis team was against a Wellington quartet' on Thursday afternoon on the Thorudon Club’s" courts. Hard play characterised all the games, and, in fact, the visitors afterwards said the series was the keenest they had played in New Zealand. New South Wales won five matches to Wellington's three, but the result 'was as nearly as possible four all. The result turned largely on the doubles between J. C. Peacock and R. N. K. Swanston and the Peach brothers, the New South Welshmen just turning the match in their favour 7—5, 7—5. Detailed results are:— Singles. Peacock (Wellington) defeated N. Peach (N.S.W.), 14-12, 6-4. Swanston (Wellington) defeated Watt (N.S.W.), 6—4, 1-6, 6-3. Park (Wellington) lost to F. Peach (N.S.W.), 3—G, 0-5. Allison (Wellington) lost to Henderson (N.S.W.), 4-6, 4-6. Doubles. Peacock and Swanston (Wellington) lost to Peach brothers (N.S.W.), 5—7, 5—7. Park and Allison (Wellington) lost to Henderson and Watt (N.S.W.), 6—3, o—6,0 —6, 1-6. Peacock and Swanston (Wellington) defeated Henderson and Watt (N.S.W.), 8-6, 6—l. Park and Allison (Wellington) lost to Peach brothers (N.S.W.), 2—6, 4 —6. Totals: Wellington, 3 matches; New South Wales, 5 matches. The visitors were entertained before the matches' at luncheon at the Hotel Cecil, and left on Thursday night for Sydney. "When the New South Wales team were playing Canterbury at Christchurch, P. Peach (N.S.W.) beat Clark (C.), 2-6, 10—8, 6 —4. Describing the game, the “Sun” stated that Clark showed that he needed experience to bring him into the front rank of tennis players in New Zealand. “lie is a colt of much promise,” stated the “Sun,” “and his meeting with the Australians should do much good to his future play. It will be noticed: fiat, though he lost the match, he ii d the same number of games .as his opponent.” Mr. Clark is a son of Mr. AV. B. Clark, of Island Bay, late of Bulls, where he went to school.

HAAVKE’S BAY CHAMPIONSHIP. By Telegraph—Preen Aarociatlon. Hastings, January 21. The Hawke’s Bay Tennis Championship will be played at Hastings on January 30 and 31 and February 1. AMERICAN TEAM IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIANS DEFEATED IN ALL MATCHES. (Rec. January 21, 11.25 p.m.) Sydney, January 21. The American tennis team met the Australians in two singles and one doubles matches at Double Bay, in the presence of several thousand people, and in fine, hot weather. Washburn and Hawkes opened the programme. the Australian effectnnllv employing his swerving service. Washburn experienced great difficulty in gauging distance, but. displayed excellent W«rment in moving into position nt critical moments. Ue treated the spectators to a fine dis-day of hack-hand, also an invaluable cross-court drive. . Johnston was at first uncertain and allowed Heath to gain the lead, bnt qvicklv gave the crowd a glimpse of his splendid forehand drive, which he employed with great severity and accuracy. His strokes were characterised by exceptional force, smashing frequently with cannon shot velocity. Tn the doubles Tilden and- Johnston proved veritable 'need merchants. Tho contest was a brilliant exposition, bristling with thrilling rallies. Tilden immediately impressed the onlookers by his lightning services and killing returns. Both the visitors directed their play to O’Hara Wood, in preference to Brookes, but Wood was in rare fettle and responded nobly. At times he was the star perfoimer of the court, hi- volleying and smashing being of tho highest order. Brookes was a real general, keen in anticipation, excellent in judgment, placing and playing for position, but his strokes lackeil tho fire of his vigorous opponents. The Americans appeared to have the first set won, but Australia drew level, six all, a stirring struggle ensuing to the end. The visitors eclipsed the local players in the remaining sets. Following'are the scores: — Washburn defeated Hawkes, 6—4, 6—4. Johnston defeated Heath. 6 —3, 6 —3.

Tilden and Johnston defeated O’H«ra Wood and Brookes, B—lo,8 —10, 6 —2, 6 —4. 6—2. —Press Assn.