PLAINS TENNIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5056, 24 November 1926, Page 4

PLAINS TENNIS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. PROGRAMME FOR THE SEASON. The Hajuraki Plains Tennis Association met at Ngatea on Friday last, Mr B. Frecklington presiding over Messrs A. H. McClean, B. McMillan, C. Bertejsen, W. Mclnnes, W. W> Averill, and A. R. Vowles (secretary). NUMBER OF GAMES. The Turua club forwarded the following resolution: “That the club enter two teams, as usual, in the Hauraki Plains Association’s competition, provided only six entries be accepted, by the association for the senior grade, and provided one round only be played, but otherwise the club make no entries.”

The cowing letter explained that the reversion to the round method of playing the competition meant that with nine affiliated clubs each team would have to play eight matches in, each round and 16 matches if two rounds were played. Being the holders of the Williajn Memorial Shield, the club would probably have to play five or six challenge matches as well. As the club was numerically strong, the competition teams, would practically monopolise the courts to the disadvantage of the majority of the club members. This would .tend to a falling off in, interest. -Further, the transport of players proved a financial strain that should 'be reduced to a minimum. The committee cdnsidcjred that limiting the teams in the senior grade to six' to play one round woiild have the effect of largely overcoming the difficulties mentioned, and would considerably raise the standard of tennis. When the result of the matches played last yeai’ wa,s considered, it was obvious that several of the clubs, on the Plains were not up to senior standard.

The Turua. delegate, the Rev. W. W. Averill, said that the previous delegate did not support the motion and had asked to be relieved of office. The club had discussed, the matter at length, and it felt that the'welfare of its) own members was of greater importance than inter-club matches. With competition matches for 16 Weeks there would only be one court

available for players who were not in the teams, and thus a lessening of interest would be very likely. That was the object of passing the resolution. The club did not wish to withdraw from the competition or to .appear to adopt an attitude of standoffishness. The club considered that practice rather than matches was f necessary to improve the standard of play. The club did not desire to pull out, but would like to see the zonej system reverted to. The motion had been put forward as a basis, of negoitiations, and the six matches suggested was not a hard and fast number. Another suggestion was to subdivide .the two grades into two divisions after a few matches had been played. These subdivisions would reduce the number of games .and tend to make the competition evener. The question of the cost of transportation was also .touched upon by the Turua delegate. In reply to questions the Rev. Averill stated that the Turua club had over 50 members.

The Ngatea and Kerepeehi delegates pointed out that if their clubs were to be limited to B grade it would probably kill them.

The Kaihere delegate pointed out tha ( t the zone system in operation last season had practically killed his club. Members would not join up if there were only two or three matches. The ■men players had joined the cricket club, and an attractive, programme would have to be presented to entice them back to< tennis. He asked if the Turua. club would .agree if there was only one round.

The Turua delegate said tha ( t at a re,cent metting the resolution w.as affirmed, but he was given some, small discretionary power.

Delegates considered that it was unfortunate that the resolution had been so worded as to ere,ate the impression that Turua was endeavouring to wave a big stick. .The Kopuarahi delegate urged the reduction of the competition to one round, and was supported by the Hopai delegate;.

The Ngatea delegate made a point of the unfairness of reducing the status of any club’s A team, thereby making the players 1 meet a B grade team.

The secretary said that the whole matter bristled with difficulties.

The Kopuarahi delegate said that if his club was reduced in status it would not enter a team.

The Turua delegate said that he would agree if the competition was rduced ot one round.

It was therefore decided, on the motion of Mr A. McClean, that in view of the length of the season’s programme it was advisable that only one round be played in the inter-club competitions. METHOD OF SCORING. Considerable discussion ensued a s to the best method Of .scoring, and eventually it was agreed that the best of 13 sest be declared the winner and .allotted two points for the match won. In the remote chance pf a match being a draw, each team would be 'allotted one point, and in the event of a forfeit the team winning by default would be given two points. DRAW FOR THE’ SEASON. The draw for the season resulted as follows: — A Grade.—First Day : Waitakaruru at Hopai, Ngatea at Pate.tonga, Kaihere at Turua, Kopuarahi at Kerepeehi. Second day : Hopp-i at Kerepeehi, Kopuarahi at Waitakaruru, Turua at Ngatea, Patetonga at KaihereThird Day: Kerepeehi at Kaihere, Hopai at Patetonga, Ngate.a at Kopuarahi, Turua at Waitakaruru. Fourth day : Kaihere at Waitakaruru, Kerepeehi at Turua, Hopai at Ngatea, Kopuarahi at Patetonga. Fifth day : Pate,tong.a at Waitakaruru, Kaihere at Kopuarahi, Turua at Hopai, Kerepeehi at Ngatea. Sixth day: Patetonga at Kerepeehi, Ngatea at Waitakaruru, Turua at Kopuarahi, Kaihere at Hopai. Seventh day : Kereqeehi at Waitakaruru, Hopai at Kopuarahi, Kaihere at Ngatea, Patetonga at Turua.

B Grade. —First day : Turua > at Waitakaruru, Kerepeehi at Ngatea, Patetonga .a bye. Second day: Nga.tea at Turua, Waitakaruru at Patetonga, Kerepeehi a bye. Third day : Turua at Kerepeehi, Patetonga at Ngatea, Waitakaruru a bye. Fourth day : Patetonga at Turua, 'Waitakaruru at Kerepeehi, Ngatea a bye. Fifth day: Ngatea at Waitakaruru, Kerepeehi, Turua, and Patetonga all byes. Sixth day: Kerepeehi at Patetonga. t