Lawn Tennis

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 31, 20 February 1937, Page 16

Lawn Tennis

i ' Sideline. ' ')

UNITED ASSOCIATION Marked Improvement by Players V » NOTES AND COMMENTS

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Since the inauguuration of the competition under the auspices of Unit.ed Tennis Association, marked improvement in play has been shown by the players. The ofileials - of the association are to be con? gratulated on their enterprise, as, without a doubt, they have given the private clubs the same footing in tennis as major associations have to their clubs. Club Notes. Haumoana, with 16 points to tiieir credit, hold first place in the compptioion, having played 4, won 4, and winning 44 sets, 334 games to 20 sets, 256 games. The team is well balanced, although diificulty is being experieneed in seiecting the four ladies. Seven members were trie.d out in various matehes, all playing up to standard.. However. the final selection should be Mrs. Moore as No. 1, Miss Archibald 2, Mrs. Lowe 3, with either Miss Letford or Miss Death filling fourth place. Mrs. Moore is playing well and should have no diffieulty in defeating her opponents. Miss Archibald has only played one game, but on past experience should be an asset to the team. Mrs. Lowe can always be relied upon to give her best. Miss Letford and Miss Death are both playing good tennis, and both .deserve a plaee in the team. Among the men, J. Lowe holds place of honour, but has not proved the equal of the other club's humber ones, having been beaten three times out.of four matehes. E. Haggerty, as No. 2, has won three matehes and 'lost onc, proving his righc to that position. G. Inglis, No. 3, who played as No. 4 in hie first match and incidentally won, has only won one match in his new position. H. Horton, the last man, has four -vietori.es to his credit, having won by 6~ 5, 6— *2, 6— *2, and 6— 5i t » Not Very Strong. Karamu, with 12 points, hold second position. They have played four, won three, lost one, and won 37 sets 300 games to 27 sets 268 games. This team) uy playing steady tennis and with determination, have attained this position. They ara not very strong, especially in the ladies. Ilve Tadies have been tried, and" all have ' proved themselves worthy to represent their team. Mrs. McGrath holds No. 1 position. She plays very good tennis, but is inelined . to lei shots that look impossible pass without attempting a retuxn. Miss Giles at No. 2 deserves her place. Miss McGrath, as No. 3, is a young player who shows promise of being among the top notchers next season. No. 4 goes to Miss Ware. The men are well selected, D. Southon being Nq. 1, R. Coe 2, G. King 3, and J. McGrath 4. Sonthon is the club's best player, but should remember not to poach when playing doubles. In R. Coe's place, I would like to see G. King, who is more reliable, although on his day, R. Coe is worthy of No. 1 position. O. Jonson, who has played No. 3 for the club, drops out of the picture as he. is not consistent. J. McGrath fills No. 4. He has reach and good control of the ball.

Unfortunate Club, Westshore has four points in the competition, having won only Oue game out of the four played, and^won 26 sets 272 games to 38 sets 296 games. This club bas been unfortunate as they have not been able to play their best team. However, in the absence of their best players, the younger members have been able to gain experience that will help in the futuure. Miss B, Wilton has improved considerably since her selection and shows promise. Miss M. Campbell, No. 1, an absentee in the first two matehes, is not playing as well as last year, while on the other hand Mrs. Stitson, No, 2, is playing tennis of high standard and should be in the first position. However, should Miss Carnpbell reveal her old form, she should be a keen eompetitor for Mrs. Moore. Miss H. Lavery, No. 3, is playing excellent tennis. Miss Wilton fills fourth position. Miss Nodwell, who played in the first match, was a player of outstanding merit, but is not available for selection. The return of N. Cowie should strengthen the men's section, although on his showing in his first game last week-end, does not merit him occupying first position. However, when he has ee.ttled down he should produce some excellent tennis. G.) Gale, in second position, although beaten in the majority of his games, has fully extended his opponents. R. Martin has not shown the tennis he produces on the court on club days. J. Stitson, another young player of outstanding merit, is inelined to be over-anxious, many of his matehes being lost this way. Hard To Understand. Skyrocket also has four poini.s, having won one and won 25 sets 263 games to 39 sets 304 games. This team is hard to understand, especially s in the men's division, as all four members have played in the different positions. On xecord, J. Barden should fill No. .1 position with satisfaetion, as his tennis is of high order. S. McDonald comes next in lino. Although he is the youngest member in the club, he plays excellent tennis, and his win over J. Lowe was a feafher in his cap. F. Burton takes No. 3, but is inconsistent. W. Watkinson is tEe mystery man of the team. Top player on the laddor, yet in all his matehes fails very badly. He takes fourth place, but will have to improve to hold his place. The ladies are not very strong, and with Mrs. Hunt away are weakened considerably. Miss Thompson now takes No. I. Her actions at times are very nn- , orthodox. and if she pays more atten- . tion to rallies now and again should do better. Miss Harding is playing bet- ; ter tennis, and would not surprise . : ' Sideline" if she is not No. 1 player j before tho end of the round. Miss N. * leake takes No, 3. This player is ] steady. Miss Alexander is inelined to - be over-anxioua. 5 _

A Harder Propositioa, Heretaunga sibso has fouf points, ha\ ing won convincingly last " week-eu-wnich eame as a surprise, . They v. oue match and, won 28 sets 256 ga.. to 36 eels 301 games. Clubs will L .them a harder proposition than the n. xound. With F. Scott as their No player and A Parkhill No. 2, J, Sao. 3, and R. Parkhill 4, the men sho» Win the majority of their sets. F. Sct is the outstanding player in the comx tition, an.d should go through witli.. a loss. A, Parkhill . is a brilliu. player, and in his two matehes play . won convincinglyl J". Sadler is u most improved player in the club, u. has earned his position. R. Parkh, on his day, plays tennis of the high.; order, but is inelined to be inconsib tent. Miss A. Wilkie plays a fuiv, steady game. She takes No. 1 position. No. 2 position has been filled at various times by Miss High, who is liabte to be erratie when in a losing position. and Miss R, Wright, who has not played sufficienl tennis to warrant her inclnsion. Miss J. Wilkie should be No. 2 as she plays a more steady game. Miss High, for No. 3, and Miss K. Smith, for 4. Miss Smith plays quit a good game, and should' she serv. nearer the back line instead of tliie. or four feet back she will get more force into her service. This club should watch out for foot fault, Second Round Fixtures. Fixtures for the seeond round are as follows: — February 21: Haumoana v. Karamu, at Karamu; Heretaunga v. Skyrocket, at Skyrocket. February 28: Skyrocket ▼. Westshore, at Westshore. Mareh 7: Karamu v. Heretaunga, at Heretaunga; Westshore v. Haumoana, at Haumoana. March 14: Skyrocket v. Karamu, at Karamu; Heretaunga v. Haumoar«v at ^Haumoana. March 21: Haumoana v. Skyrocket, at Skyrocket; Westshore v- Karamu? Karamu. , March 28: Heretaunga! v. Westshore, at Westshore.