Sports Log

NZ Truth, Issue 1206, 10 January 1929, Page 14

Sports Log

CHRISTMAS TENNIS THOUGH there were several inter- . ruptions by rain, the Christmas tournament promoted by the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association proved a very successful fixture for a number of . prominent players m and , around Christchurch. The handicapping gave the moderates little chance, against the more notable players who mostly fought out both championship . and handicap finals. The absence of the best' players m Auckland presented a good opportunity for those not quite m the first flight to' win a prize or two. One of the outstanding successes of the tournament was joung J. R. Crawsliaw, of Fendalton, who, though slumping rather badly m the final- of the men's singles against B. B. Loughnan, played sound tennis m defeating m successive matches, W. S. Somerville and A. B. Loughnan m straight sets. Instead of providing young and improving players with an opportunity--of j good match play, the tournament placed this advantage beyond their reach through the excessive fees charged. The policy of making losers pay for the balls is" not a sound one, and must necessarily restrict entries as it is making the game too expensive. :..■,-■;* " * * ■ ' TIRED PEELING THE fielding of the Canterbury 1 cricket team m the Plunket Shield match suffered greatly m comparison with that of the Wellington eleven, and a lot of practice is required if the side hopes to succeed m future engagements this season. Apart from half-a-dozen dropped catches, which made fairly good- bowling look bad, the work m the. outfield was poor, and a good portion of Wellington's score was contributed m this manner. The returning of the ball to the bowler! and the wicket-keeper was ..also ,- badly judged, but nobody seemed to mimL Unless these errors', are J pointed out to the team they will .continue at a great cost to the side. . -• •;