TENNIS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 10 December 1927, Page 8

TENNIS

(By

“Back-Hand”

NOTES AND COMMENTS

FROM EVERYWHERE

The Hawke’s Bay team which visited Wanganui, in quest of the Christie Cup are full of praise for the royal way in which they were entertained by the Wanganui Association Everything possible was done to make the stay of the visitors a most pleasant one. The courts were in excellent order. One member of the team who has had a wide and varied experience of tennis courts throughout the British Empire, went so far as to say that they were the best he had played on. This is indeed great praise. Where is the Wanganui caretaker?

Elliott played his usual steady game, and fully deserved his win over Marshall. Another match worthy of special mention was that between Elliott and Brown, and Marshall and Hawkins, the former pair winning after an even and hard-fought contest. Brown fully justified his inclusion in the team- by his splendid exhibition in both the doubles. Craigie’s win over Dr. Christie was also a good one. and fully earned. His play throughout was the essence of steadiness. The men won four matches out of nine, and had the ladies been up to provincial standard the team would have stood an excellent chance of lifting the trophy.

Commenting on the play the Wanganui Herald says among other things that one of the best matches of the day was that in the combined doubles in which Lampe and Miss Myers defeated Lowry and Miss Clarke. Lowry seemed to take matters rather casually in the first set, and the Wanganui pair, settling down to the game from the first, were s—o on their opponents before the Hawke’s Bay players took a game. Wanganui won the set, 6 —l. Playing confidently the local pair took the first two games in the second set, but then the visitors started to place their shots better, and play more effectively from the net. Wanganui got but two games in that set. The final set was a battle all the way, the scores being even at 2—2, 4—4, and 5—5. Lowry was doing well with his cross-court shots from the net, and Miss Clark was driving accurately with both backhand and forehand and also getting back some impossible shots which Lampe would smash at her feet from the net. Lamp's overhead work was 'i treat to watch, and the deciding factor in winning the final set and the match, 7— 5.

Another fine match was that in the men’s doubles, in which Lampe and Barkman were defeated bv Lowry and Milburn. The contest was won bv the Bay players because t’’showed clever co-operation. The visitors won the first set. B—6. but lost the second, 3—6. The final set thev took. 6—4. Lowry played safely nnd Milburn made the most of a fast service, while on the Wanganui side Barkman was at a disadvantage in running round shots.

An error occurred in my notes ol last week wherein it was stated that Brown had defeated Budd in a ladder competition match at the Hastings Club courts, this should have read “Budd defeated Brown.”

Nelson Park A team had rather an easy win over Hawke’s Bay B team on Saturday last. The tit-bit of the day was supplied by Henderson and Runciman, the former winning after an even and hard-fought contest. Hawke’s Bay A team also had an easy win over St. Paul’s A team. The latter team were outclassed on the day. the only redeeming feature being their play in the mixed doubles.

The membership of the Park Club has increased amazingly this season, and the courts are crowded every evening. The players are evidently taking full advantage of the Daylight Saving, and the committee have found it necessary to restrict play to doubles at night during this season. The membership is approaching the 200 mark and as a result of the continual play the courts are showing signs of wear. • » •

The first rounds of the Neal and Close Cup competition were commenced last Saturday. Hastings A team met and defeated Park in C grade by 10 sets to 6.

G. Heighway, top man on the Park ladder, is playing well up to form this season, but found a tough proposition in F. Murray, who is really a B grade player.

F. Smaill, a new arrival from Christchurch, played a very nice game, and gave one the impression of being a very heady player. » # * P. Wake and C. Campbell are two young players who have made rapid strides and worked their way up the ladder, but both found the opposition too strong on Saturday. Campbell’s style has improved of late, and he is playing a much harder game than he did last season. • » • Miss V. Shewan, who has headed the ladies' ladder for some years, is a very strong player, who invariably plays a good game. She had no difficulty in disposing of Mrs. Rigby. Miss Molly Budd played very fine tennis to defeat Miss V. Stairmand. Mrs. drearer and Mrs. Oifft proved too strong for their opponents. • • • Two proved sportsmen of the Park Club have recently presented a pair of silver racquets each to the chib, one for ladies’ handicap doubles and one for men's handicap doubles, and this has already aroused keen interest. Any two players mav chnl lenge the holders, and they arc handicapped by a committee sot aside for that purpose. Misses V. Shewan (Continued at Foot of Next Column).

and V. Stairmand are holders of the ladies and C. Campbell and G. Gillon of the men's but as a string of challenges appear on the list, it does not anpear likely that thev will retain them for long. The donors of these trophies am to bo heartily congratulated and thanked most cordially for the interest they have taken in the club.