TENNIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3737, 29 December 1906, Page 2

TENNIS.

At present tennis enthusiasts are watching anxiously the results of the N.Z. Tournament how being played in Christchurch, and the ** games in which Wielding, Heath, and Parker are engaged, come in for special attention. The Australian men’s doubles match, Wielding and Heath v. Swanston *'

and Fisher, was a revelation to New Zealanders. According to the telegraphic report Swanston and Fisher are reckoned to be the best double players the colony possess, yet in comparison to their opponents they, appear amateurs. Dike Parker on his return from England, Wielding and Heath were using the American twist service which is very awkward to take. Wielding was mixing the left to right twist 'with the reverse twist, whilst Heath used the left to right twist only. Wielding and Heath ran right away from their opponents, the sets finishing 6-0, 6-3, 6-1. The surprise of the first day was Fisher, beating Heath in the singles 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. Heath seemed to feel

the strain more than Fisher. The final between Fisher and Wielding should prove a great game. The semi-final between Parker and Wielding left no doubt that Wielding is the better player. His only weak point is in allowing his opponent to keep him on the back line. Parker’s short dropping drives which have always stood him in good stead, proved winning shots to Weilding. Wielding’s net play gave Parker -the most trouble. This set finished 6-4, 6-5, 3-6, 6-0.

The Inter-colonial Ladies match Hew South Wales v. New Zealand. opened on Thursday in Christchurch, Miss Nuurieley, the New Zealand champion, met Miss Baker, the New South Wales champion and defeated her 4-6, 6-3, 6-i % The length, direction, and force of Miss Nunneley’s drives gave Miss Baker no chance to use her famous net play. Miss Powdrell had a very easy win f rom Miss Fitzhardiuge 6-3. It was a drawing game/right through In the third ladies jingle Miss Ward went under to, Miss Lindeman by 6-4, 7-5. The other games were adjourned till Friday. The Pahiatua Lawn Tennis Club begin their tournament today. Mr J. E. Marshall, of the local club, is the only representative from Foxton.

During the last two weeks the Foxton dub has been getting off several matches for trophies. The results so far are as follows, the winners reading first

Men’s Singles— Bainbridge v. Ross, 50-45; Marshall v. Fraser, 50-40; Macdonald v. Shadbolt, 50-26; Chisholm v. Stiles, 50-43 ; Edwards v. Morgan. 50-35. Second round, Gordon v. Petersen, 50-35; Macdonald v. Marshall, 50-24. ’

Ladies’ Singles Miss McMillan v. Miss A, Collins, 50-49; Miss P. Fraser v. Miss J. Ross’ 50-35-In the men’s singles there is no doubt Macdonald’s play has been underestimated by the handkappers and with the margin of win in the first two rounds he should have no trouble winning the final.

It seems hard to account for Marshall losing from Macdonald by such a big margin, as both appeared to be playing up to form. At the present time the Courts are quite gay with the number of players turning up for practice the bulk of whom are putting in some solid and good work. During the previous week we had Mr L. Furrie, an erstwhile member of the local club, on the Courts, getting his eye in on the asphalt after playing at Eltham on the grass courts.