Lawn Tennis INTER-CLUB GAMES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 42, 5 March 1937, Page 11

Lawn Tennis INTER-CLUB GAMES

" Volleyer.")

Hastings Match Against H.B. GUIDE FOR SELECTORS

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At Marewa last Saturday, Hastings defeated the Hawke's Bay oiub by filteen matches to nine. Despite the absence of Mrs. Cotterill, the Hastings team on paper looked much stronger than the home team, but several- Napier players surprised their opponents I F. Forbes, after an easy singles win •against K. liead, played two splendid douftles. In the men 's event, with a young and inexperienced partner, he frightened Lowry and Sharpe into comparative silence. Although the lattcr pair finaily won the third set, they wero a,t one stage within two points of dereat. Forbes and Miss Ormond lator played the best combined double of tlie day against Lowry and Mrs. Hassall. Miss Ormond also secured a meritorious victory over the representative player, Miss Griffiths. By f aat and accurate driving, the lefthander, Neville Simpson, defeated J. N. Lowry in straight sets. In the mixed doubles Simpson and Miss Hickes beat two of the highest ranked players in Hawke's Bay, Watson and Miss Budd. Watson 's lack of interest gave his unfortunate partner little chance. In the women's singles Miss Hickes, who has improved her game since last season, scored a good win over Mrs. Hassall. On the whole the standard of play was low. The courts, as must be expected in their first year, were not true and there was a strong breeze. If the two clubs were more evenly match ed. fceener rivalry would be shown. Town v. Country, On the following day some far better tennis was played in the Town v. Country match at Waipawa, where the courts, as usual, are very good. Although the country team was heavily defeated, most of the matches went to

three sets, and in the oppressive neat so much perspiration was lost by all concerned that the Waipawa river is still discoloured. In the first men's single D. Bitchie, who was not included in the last representative team, opposea the Hawke 's Bay No. 1, P. Watson, and the latlor won the third set 6 — 4. Each player (won fourteen games. As Kitchie is regarded as better in doubles than in singles, it will be sarprising if he is omitted from the Bay team for Wanganui. Lowry and Sharpe were defeated by Best and Read respoctively. but Moorhead struck a shrewd blow for the country by (lefeating Elliot, of Hastings. * A/s' Read showed .outstanding form in winmng his two doubles later ln the day, it is a pity that he will not be available for the trip to Wanganui. Four of the women's singles went lo three sets. In the No. 1. position Mrs. Cotterill led 3 — 1 in the final set against Mrs. Milburn, and although the Napier player won, she was very cJose to defeat. In the second single Miss Glenny won a lot of points against Mis? Budd by deadly volleying, an unusual sight in a women's event, but Miss Budd'e more consistent ground strokc won a close match, The first women's double, Mrs. Milburn" and Miss Budd v. Mrs. Cotterill and Miss Glenny, was about the best contest f>f the day. The country representatives won the third set 8 — 6, but all the four players showed tennis of a high standard. Guide To Selectors. Although it was unfortunate that Madden. of Dannevirke, was unable to play in this ma^eh, the week-end tennis should have been a useful guide to the selectors for Hawke 's Bay. Forbes 's play in Napier was an effective answer to criticism of his inc.lusion in the team which lost to Manawata. At least five of the representative women players showed that they could- justify their selection. While Lowry was out of'form on both days, he is still the best all-round player in this distriet, and his defeats need cause no concern. Bead and D. Ritchie both proved themselves worthy of consideration.