Lawn Tennis

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 53, 25 November 1937, Page 14

Lawn Tennis

Yolleyer.")

RANKING MATCHES Two Players Worthy of Inelusion CLUB CHAMRIONSHIPS

(By "

In the first series of ranking matches, arranged last week by the Hawke's Bay tennis executive, eight men and eight women will participate. Althongh this seems rather few, it is hard to name many other players worthy of inelusion, but two who should he given a chance in the next series are Miss Fryer (Hastings) and Plummer, of Waipukurau. Althongh Miss Fryer's strokes. at present lack severity, they are correctly produced, and she is one of the most promising players in the district. If Plummer could "make the grade' ' in singles his strength as a douhles player Would he an asset to the Hawke's Bay team — at the age of twenty-six he is younger than many of last season' s representatiyes. ,

The same applies to Jack Madden, ■ of Dannevirke. Madden has yet to be seen in action in Napier or Hastings, and by his non-appearance at last summer's Town v. Country match he lost a good chance to show his ability. He is said to be a most consistent player with no particular weakness ; this is the type which is most useful in a team contest. If Frank Forbes had wlshed to play he would no doubt have. been' included in the ranking matches, and the same applies to Noel Wilson. The latter is assisting with coaching activities at the Hastings club, and it is to be hoped that he will be able to play fegularly this season. The inauguration of these ranking matches is a commendablo action on the part of the executive, and perhaps the most satisfaetory point in connection with the present series is the inelusion of D. Ritchie. When he and Moorhead play their match, two of the six best .players in Hawke's Bay will meet. Hastings ChampiQnsHips. The Hastings club championships are already, attracting much interest among members. This happy contrast to tho iakadaisical competitions of other seasons is due to the efficiency of the club executive, iu which the players have every confidence. One rather unexpected' result of an early round in the men's championship was the defeat of Leo Vesty, who possesses some most attractive strokes. If he can acquire a more consistent control of these shots he will soon be ' a very hard man to beat. As the club competitions of last season were finally cancelled through lack of brganisation, the winners from the previous season are still the holders of the , various club championships. Both the singles cliampions, Max Ferkins and Miss Budd, are now - in Wellington, but all the holders of the doubles titles are. still members of the club. Hard COurt Championship. The enterprise shown by tlie Hinemoa Club (Dannevirke) in last season' s inauguration of a provincial hard court championship should be more fully rewardedi this season. Last summer the open tournament of„the Hawke's Bay Club, postponed until Easter • through rain, clashed with the Hinemoa tourney, and most of the leading -Hawke's Bay players. competed in Napier. While hard courts are not. very popular, at the end of the season asphalt has many advantages over grass. Hawke's Bay Title. This year's Hawke's Bay championships are.to be held in conjunction with the open tournament held by the Hawke's Bay Club at Marewa. AIthough it was hoped that the North Island championships might have been allocated to Napier, these are to be held in New Plymouth, commencing on January 5. A Taranaki player, C. Strombom, is the present holder of the Hawke's Bay singles title; in last season's final lie defeated J. N. Lowry, of Hastings. If Strombom can make the trip to Napier his presenc© at this season's championships , would be most welcome, for his court manners are on the same high plane as is his tennis. Gorrection. In last week's notes it was stated that allt expenses in connection with the Stedman and Coombe wei'e to be met hy the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. As accommodation for the visiting players has to be arranged by the associations on whose courts exhibition matches are to be played, this stateinent was incorrect. The associations concerned will, however, receive a percentage of the gate takings.