LAWN TENNIS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1932, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS

THE 1931-32 SEASON REVIEWED.

ALL SAINTS’ CLUB

In reviewing the season just past, which concluded with a friendly game played between All Saints’ and the Kokatalii Club, there is justification for saying that it lias been one of the most successful in the history of the Club, both socially and financially. After having been runner-up for the ■two previous seasons in the competition lor tlie Grimmond Cup, competed for in a scries of matches arranged by the Country Clubs, and participated in by All Saints’ by special invitation, the team from the All Saints’ Club succeeded in winning the coveted trophy with an unbeaten record during the competition. Matches were played at Kanieri, Kokatahi and Ross and lavish hospitality was extended the team during its visits to these places. This hospitality, together with the splendid sporting spirit in which the games were played resulted in a most enjoyable season’s play, which was appreciated not only by the players themselves hut also by the other Club members who watched and assisted in the necessary arrangements. Tn addition to these matches, a match was played against a team from Runanga in which All Saints’ suffered its only defeat for the year. This game, too, was very closely contested and resulted in some remarkably well fought out sets. Perhaps the match creating the most local interest, Jiowever, was that played at Hokitika between the leading players from the combined Country Clubs (including All Saints’) and the Hokitika Club. This match, which rs now looked upon as an annual fixture, created considerable interest and was attended bv a large number of spectators. Although the Hokitika Club proved too strong lor the Combined Clubs’ team, the comparatively high standard , of play on the part of 1 some of the Combined team caused not a little surprise. In this connection AV. Chetdynd met with outstanding success in defeating by a comfortable margin (9—6), Hokitika’s leading player, L. Gooch. Chetwvnd was right on the top of! his form and gave Gooch no openings. | His volleying was superb and his placing faultless. If Chetwvnd could always produce this form, he would be hard to heat for premier position on' the West Coast ranking ladder.

During the progress of the year, the needs of the younger players were kept steadily in view and judicious coaching by the better players was responsible lor a, great improvement in the standard of play generally. Numerous ladder matches testified to the various players' keenness and considerable adjustment was found necessary before the end of the season. A considerable number of challenge matches Were p 1 ayatij V . % l>,uL.'fclje,^major placings fol‘ the seasoii telriitined consistent. Telfer and Chetwynd changed places, the latter now holding first- position on the ladder. On general play there is little difference between these tw r o, Chetwynd being brilliant at times but Telfer fairly consistent. AVfth more play, Telfer would improve vastly. His enormous reach is a great asset and should he used to more purpose. Freitas played his usual solid game consistently and showed up in good tennis during the AA'est Coast Championships. His peculiar service wins him many a game. Gotland plays a fair game and is consistent but has shown no improvement on the season’s play. Osmers was very patchy all through the season hut only requires more concentration to enable his true form to be shown. If lie settles down to the game more seriously he should show a great improvement next year. The remaining men require considerably more experience, although some show promise ot development. Mrs Butinnd improved out of sight' and is outstanding in first position on the ladies’ ladder. She proved her ability in several games this season. For a young player, her court craft is good and her attack splendid. She plays equally well whether at the net or on the back line. With a little more experience, this player should he among the Coast’s leading ladies. Miss Ross retains second position. She is reliable, though showing little improvement. Miss Seebeck plays a very nice game and has some really good strokes. She played some “marathons” during the year. A little more confidence would work wonders.

Mrs Collett plays quite a good game and is worth her place in the team. She is also most helpful in the pavilion, being a great worker.

THE HOKITIKA CLUB. The weather during the past season was not ideal for tennis, the various matches having to be postponed until quite late in the season and this also all’-a ring the ustiitJ number of laddermatches played. 'I be loss of players like Partridge, Keller. Drs, Hayes and Baird, and Mrs Partridge, instill felt in the Club, but the members lave responded to the ineeiVtivc to occupy the higher positions and the present, teams have bad a must, successful year as regards matches. Tim ( lull supplied a large number o. players for the West Coasl Tournament, and memhers annexed several cionts, including championships. Gooch remains the leading player m the Clnli, and, incidentally on the Coast, ni'd Turner, who has worked up to second position is a very sound player, and a force to lie reckoned will. Doughm-ly and Larcomh'’, (lie remaining members of the A Team have been consistent i hrmiglioui rhe year. On the distaff side Miss I). Stevenson lias moved to (op lady, but is strongly pressed he Miss Thompson, who is also

fim> doubles plaver. Miss Knight at (bird has had a good season and Miss Mortland, Inis distinguished hersell in her first season with the Clnli. Ihe remaining if.mi members are all good individually, ami require only keenness to bring them up to the necessary pdrh