LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12622, 6 December 1926, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

SENIOR MATCHES BEGIN FINE GAMES UNDER HOT SUN SOME BIG VICTORIES There was perfect tennis weather for the opening of the senior championships at Miramar on Saturday. Eignt clubs competed in the first series, and smashing victories were gained by Wellington and Brougham Hill. Wellington defeated Petone by 11 matches to 1, and the Brougham Hill clowned the strong Miramar team, which held two New Zealand representatives, by 10 matches to 2. Thorndon beat Victoria College by the unexpected margin of 9 matches to 3, the .Thorndon ladies winning 5 matches out of 6, and Newtown defeated Lyall Bay by S matches to 4. FRANCE SHOWS UP WELL The match between Don France (Brougham Hill) and Noel Wilson (Miramar) revealed France with a distinct edge. Wilson, not yet in practice, had flashes of form in which he gave France muph ball-chasing, but generally he was playing for position and unable to finish off his efforts. His usually strong service was not supported by a steady attack off the ground, and he was playing better against delivery than it. The first four games went against the server, then Wilson struck a patch and rushed through the fifth game to love. France evened easily, and both dropped their services for 4-all. Wilson then took tho net too recklessly and notched only one point on his service, France running out tlie set with a love game. The Brougham Hill man did not leave the issue in doubt. He took the first two games in the next set for th© loss of a point, and, hitting forcefully, went on to lead 3—l. Wilson won the third game on service only after five deuces and many excursions to the net, while France took his fairly easily. In the sixth game Wilson had to struggle hard to hold service, which he did after four deuce calls. He pulled up well from 15—40 in the sixth game only to lose it on liis opponent’s forcing shots. The games wero 2—4 when the Miramar man swept through his next service to 30, and 5—2 when France retaliated with a series of net raids behind a heavily spun service ball. It was all over in the ninth game. France taking the set 6 —3.

SMYTH'S GREAT EFFORT Condition was what told in the 90 minute encounter between Edward Smyth (Miramar) and Lon France (Brougham Hill). In the first set it was apparent, that Sniytli hold the shots to win. His opponent’s chops worried hon not a bit, and ho played with superlative steadiness off the ground, and was remorseless overhead. His placing was not fine enough to carry him through without a hard tussle, though. It was here that lack of practice told*. With an open court yawning for him Smyth was hcltine his forehand anywhere lrut near the sideline, and often losing good chances. But in the first set he eh ad owed France bv -steady ground strokes saving from side to side of the court, nud the Brougham Hill man did most of the running. Smyth led 3—l, having lost only two points on service, and held his lead to 4 2 when once again his high bounding service ball let him through to 15 and 5 when ho. bustled France out of his delivery. Things looked better for the Brougham Hill man when he took the next two games, but Smyth took tho ninth game decisively, and was a winner at 6—4. FRANCE PULLS UP The second set saw Smyth tiring and France chopping more heavily. Smyth was placing less well, and France, concentrating moTe, was the first to hold service, which ho did to love in tho seventh game for a 4-—3 lead. Smyth struggled through for a 4-nlI call; but France swept through the next two games after deuce, and it was sot-all. After that France was definitely superior to a tired Smyth. Round about the fourth game the Miramar man took the net. in a last endeavour to pull the match from the fire, hut failed, and France wont on unbrokcnly to win 6—2. R. Ferlcins, the top man for Victoria f’nlloge. climbed all over Alan Park, Thermion's first, string, who could not settle to hard court play. Forking lost only 12 points in the first set, which he won to love, and after losing the opening game, of tho second set. the hoy rushed through tho next six in a row, though hard pushed once or twice. W. P. Hollings, Newtown’s first ranking player, had a reasonable win from Mathewson (Lyall Bay). Hollings led s—o in the first set, then eased up ana lost three games before clinching matters. Tn the next set Boilings was ahead 20, but Matlicwson evend bv steady

ground strokes, after which they ran level to 4—all, where the Lyall Bay man lost his service, and Hollings promptly took set 6—4 and match. SCOTT BEATS MAYO A surprise came when Charlie Scott (Victoria College) beat C. Mayo (Tliorndon), 6 —3, 6 —5. Mayo was not very happy off the ground, and Scott was playing very steadily. Trevor Rhodes-Wiilimns (Wellington) found little trouble with L. A. Thomas, of Petone, wlio went down before the other's steady attack, 6—2, 6—3. Miss Sheplieard. top lady for Victoria College, was definitely superior to Miss Foster (Thorndon), winning 6—3. Mrs Marshall. Lyall Bay. first string, had a long tussle with Miss Mildred East (Newtown), and went down to defeat only after a fine effort which drove her opponent to 5—6, 6—2, B—6. There was nothing between them. Vigorous Mrs Witcombe (Wellington) gained a good win over Mrs Parkinson, of Petone, a player whose steadiness has been feared by Wellington’s very best. Mrs Witcombe’s placing and forceful play let her out. 6—4», 6—5. Miss May Tracy had too much speed and placement for her opponent, Mrs Campbell, the Brougham Hill girl’s deep shots giving her a straight set victory. A GOOD DOUBLE The classic double of the dav was between the France brothers and Wilson-Smyth. It meant a somewhat luckv win for the Frances, 6 —3, 2 —6. 6 —4. Thev took tho first, set in decisive fashion. Wilson was called upon to bolster up Smyth, who was too tired to run for his own lobs, and .sometimes confusion resulted. Also tile national doubles champion was finding the net too often when punching a shot into an opening. So tho first set went the wav of the Frances fairily comfortably. The second sot saw "Wilson and Smyth smash their opponents combination with mid-court ixnmding and a great service streak. Thev led 5—J, and evened up set all 6—2. Errors cost them the last set. in which the Frances were never headed. leading 2 —l and 5 —4 when Wilson, with a long service game, tried desperately to roach 5-all. Three times he held game point and could not clinch matters, one beautiful volley for the ace sliding just outside the lino, and Hon France catching him at his feet a second time as he came in. Twice the Frances held match-point and lo*t it on pulverising smashes, but the next time it came up they made no mistake.

DETAILED RESULTS Results follow: WELLINGTON v. TETONE. Wellington players first:— Men's Singles.—Rhodes-Williams bent Thomas, L. A., 6—2, 6—3; O’Brien boat Parkinson, H.. 6—2, 6—4: Mollison beat. Thomas. C. 8., 6—5, 6—2; Purvis heat Curtis, R., 6—l, 6 L Ladies’ Singles.—Mrs Witcoml>o heat Mrs H. Darkitugui. 6—4, o—s;0 —5; Miss Be>t lost to Mrs R. Evison. 5—6, 3—6; Mrs Murphv beat Mi-s A. Curtis. 6 —3. 6 —o; Miss Macassev boat Mrs M. McKwan, 6—l, 6—2. Men’s Doubles.—Rhodcs-Williams and O’Brien l>ea( Thomas and Thomas, 6 -1. I—G. 6—3; Mollison and Purvis beat Parkinson and Curtis, 6—l. 6 Ladies* Doubles, —Mrs Whitcombo and Mis** Macassev boat Mr* and Evison, 6 —4. 3—6. 6—3; "Miss Best and Mrs Murphy boat Misses Curtis and McEwan, 6—>3,'6—5. BROUGHAM HILL v. MIRAMAR. Brougham Hill plavers first:— Men’s Singles.—T,. Franco beat Smvih. 4-6, c>-4. 6-2; D. Franco bent Wilson, 6—4, 6—3; Dohie bent Stevens, 6—•». 6—l ; T. Ward beat Feulington, 6—o, 6—2. Ladies* Singles.— Miss Tracy boat Mrs Campbell. 6-2. 6-2; Mi-s A. How© bent Mrs Health 6-0, 6—l; Miss North beat Mrs B. Brown. 6-2. 6—o; Miss Williams lost to Mrs Penlington. 6—l, 5—6, 4—6. Men’s Doubles. —France and France beat Smyth and Wilson. 6 —3, 2 —6, 6—4: Dobie and Ward lost to Stevens and Ponlington, 2—6. 6—5. 6—B. Ladies* Doubles.—Misses Tracy-Hov e bent Mrs Campbell-lTeald, 6—o, 6 —2; M issca North-William9 beat Mrs BrownPenlingtou, 6—2, 6—o. THORNDON v. VICTORIA COLLEGE. Thorndon players first:— Mon’s Singles. —Dr Park lost to Fgrkins, o—6, I—6: C. Mnlfroy »ent Fhdgn, 6 —3, 6—2: S. Wheeler beat Burns. 6—2. 6 —2; <’. Mavo lost to Scott. B—6. 5—6. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Foster ]o<M to Miss Shepherd. 3-6. 2—6: Mis-: Whyte beat Miss Goodwin. 6 —o. 6 —3: Mies M. Preodv beat. Miss Line, 6-2. 2—6. 7—5, Miss S. Preodv beat Mi-s Cameron. 6—C, 6-2. Men's Doubles. Pnrk-Malfmr beat Forkins-lloldev, 6 —4. 6—4; WheelerMayo beat Burns-Soott. 6 —3. 6—4. Lndio.s Doubles.—Misses Fostev-Whyio boat Misses Shopherd-Goodwin, 6 —l, 6 1; Misses Preedv-Proedy beat Misses Cameron-Lyne, 6—o, 6—2. NEWTOWN v. LYALL BAY. Newtown idnvovs first Men’s Single:*'.-- \Y. l\ Hollings boat Matiiewson, 6—B, 6—4; Richardson beat

C lark. 6—2. 6 —3 : !)niii,o:ii lost to Swin3"C: 5, "W‘ lu ' n Burn, Wiios- Singles.-Ali-s East heat Airs Mar-liall. ~-c. <;-2. ~-G ; llis Bradv beat Born. (>—l. 6—5. Mi d'Fmden 1-. V to Mi--s Pain. 5-6. l--c : ji ~s \Vi!- on Jc, t to Mrs C lark. ]— o, I—6. Mow’s Double*.— ;uvl lVn"o7ii bent Matliewson rial I'lark, Cj—' J'_=i ■ KiohnnNon anti Morgan Ik-.u SwiVilmrni’ and Burns, (j—l, i. Ladies’ Doubles.—Mi-> Kast nn ! Mi-«« Bradv beat Mr- Mar.-hail' and Mi ' Burts 4-«. 6-3 c-lt Mrs tVik-,, ami Mi«s d linden lct-t to \ p.• , 1T t -\ f Clark, 1-0, 4 —b. " HAWKE’S BAYVTWAIRARAPA SUCCESSFUL CONTEST AT AIASTEIITOX. (Br Telegraph. —Special to ‘'Times.-, - MA> I LRTOX. December 4. The Hawke e Bav-B airarupa kv n le*, nis match was played at Ma-toVton in perfect weither and resulted in a win tor ]la\VjU' s Bay by i? 1 imitcbo. ,jn and 3ft 1 xamos to 11 matrho- og 312 jjanus. Tho details » rv% K;rvko’s liny players mentioned fir.-t : s singles. —H;iv beat Suainson, 6 J>“• Llliott beat Miller, 6—2. 2—6 fi—•*>; Milburn beat AVchh. I—6 6—l 6 3; Craigie beat Wclhvcxvl. 3—6 6—o 6-3-Green beat Hndder. 6-E 6-3 ; o nn „; nmnd lost to lavorner, :»—6 6 i 3 6* Brown lust, to Martin. 6-5.’ 3 llobin bent Booth. 6— l. 6—4. LadieC singles.—Mrs (Jrcen to Mrs McMastnr. 4-6. 6-3. 5-6; Miss Bennett beat .Mrs Boutli (i— 2. 6—3: Mrs Gardiner beat ills Steel, 6—3 6-1- Miss Pannier lest t n Miss Welch. 6—'t i—fi i~ 6 . ; 51?* l»‘at Mi<* Napier. 6—4* b—4; Miss Morrison lost to Mrs Groves rf' G ~i: - Vrs banrensnn heat Airs I ntter 6-2, 6-3: Mrs Cowper lost to Miss J.enz. 4—6, 6—2. I—6. Men's doubles.-—Milburn and Hav lost to ami Hndder, 3—6 "3-6-Green and Drummond lost to Weleh nmi Bellwnod. o—6. 4—6; Elliott and Brown beat Miller and Martin. 6—3, 6—o. c r;l . gie and IP,bin beat Taverner and Booth, o—l. 6 Ladies’ doubles.-;,Ds J|e( lev and Aliss Bennett beat Atesdames MeMaster and Steel, 6—l, 4—6. 6—3; Alosdamos Green and I,aurensnn heat Mcsdumes Booth and Potter. 6-2. 6—4; Mrs Gardiner and Missiannier beat Airs Grove? and Aliss Xapier. 6 ■>. 6 —l: Mrs Cowper and Miss lost to Misses Lonz and Welch, Combined doubles.—Green and Mrs Green beat Swainson and Mrs Ate Alaster. 6—l. 6—4: Milburn and Miss Bennett beat Wellwood and Airs Booth 6—3 Hay and Mrs Iletley beat Hodder and Airs Steel, 6—4, 6—4; Brown and M'ss Pannier boat B’clch and Miss Belch, 6—4, 6—4; Elliott and Mrs Lanrenson beat Miller and Miss Xapier, 6 fi -1 ■ Drmmnond and Miss Morrison _ s t. to Jfa rtin and Miss Lonz. 5—6, 4—6; riobin and Mrs Gardiner beat Taverner and Airs Potter. 6-4, 6-2; Craigie and Airs Cowper lost to Booth and Mra Groves, 6 —3, 3 —6, 4—6. PAnERSoFcHAMPION NEW SOUTH WALES CONTESTS. By Telegraph.—Press As S n.—Copyright. (Received December 5, 5.5 p.m.) ( MELBOURNE, December 5. The final of the Victorian tennis championships were played yesterday. In the women’s singles Miss Boyd beat Miss Cos, 6—3. 6—k In the mixed doubles, Hatches—Miss Boyd beat Wcrtlieim—Miss Cox. 6—" 6 — o. In the men's singles Patterson beat Crawford, 4—6, 6—3, 6—4, 6 4. In the women’s doubles, Airs HarperMiss Boyd beat Mrs O’Hara Wood and Mi6s Lemessurier, 7—5, 6—2. The men’s doubles went to Crawford and Willard, who beat Patterson and Hawkes, 4—6, 6-4, I—6. 6—3, t—3.