Tennis.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 359, 9 October 1930, Page 8

Tennis.

MATAMATA CLUB. Opening Day Tournament. There was a very large attendance on the Matamata courts on Saturday for the official opening, over 80 players having to be provided for. The heavy rain of the morning did not damp the ardour of those attending, and after the pools had been swept off the courts the weather kept fine, and play proceeded without interruption. Visitors were present from the Waharoa, Wardville, Hinuera, Tirau, Okoroire, Te Whetu, Te Poi and the Matamata Presbyterian clubs. Dr. Laurenson, president of the Matamata club, in a short speech, declared the courts formally open for play and also presented the trophies won during last season for the following competition: Men’s championship singles, E. Green; ladies’ championship doubles, Misses Beverley; Men’s handicap singles, J. Davies; ladies’ handicap singles, Mrs. Willis; combined handicap doubles, Miss Bell and J. Davies. For the first part of the afternoon a Yankee tournament was contested, and at the termination of this time limit games were played to give everyone a chance. The winners of the Yankee tournament were as follow:

Men.—Hitchcock, 34 points, 1; K. Fitzgerald, 32 points 2; Bragg, 30 points, 3. Ladies.—Miss Oates, 37 points, 1; Miss Stonnex, 31 points, and Mrs. Hanlyn, 31 points, 2; Miss M. Beverley, 30 points, 3. THE TENNIS BANNER. Did Matamata Win It ? A brief but interesting discussion followed the reading of the annual report at the meeting of the Waikato East Lawn Tennis Sub-Association at Tirau on Monday. A Waharoa representative (Mr. Kirk) asked how came Matamata to wip the Keane Banner. Waharoa did not have a match for the banner. Mr. Hitchcock said that he understood that Waharoa had defaulted in one match that had been set down. Another delegate said that he understood that Waharoa was to have had the opportunity to play later in the season. Mr. Kirk said that the match was postponed because of a match with Hamilton. It was pointed out that the Matamata club did not have a defeat during the competition for the banner, and the meeting generally agreed that that put a different complexion on the subject. It was also stated that rain had interfered considerably with the fixtures, one member saying that 80 per cent of the Saturdays were wet, and games had to be postponed. Dr. Laurenson said that whilst Matamata had no right to claim the banner unless they won it, the. fact that they had sustained no defeats made a difference. Mr. Kirk stated that Waharoa merely wanted information and did not desire to move any motion in connection with the matter, which was then allowed to drop. TENNIS LADDER. Selection Criticised. The question as to why eight Matamata club players were on the ladder instituted last year by the Waikato East Lawn Tennis Sub-Associa-tion was raised at the annual meeting of the sub-association on Monday ! evening. It was pointed out that the selection committee had selected twelve players who were subject to and had I been challenged on several occasions, j but only a few had been displaced. I One delegate said that the other I clubs had taken little interest in the J ladder. . Mr. Kirk (Waharoa) said that the opinion in his district was that the two top players from each club should form the ladder. .

Mr. Wilson (Tirau) said that they had been advocating a ladder for years. They now had it and ther was no reason to complain. The secretary (Mr. Hitchcock) said that the ranking committee had been appointed by the management com- i mittee. The ladder had caused more j work to the secretary than any other department of the association’s activ- I ities. The matter of the ladder was left to the management committee. WAHAROA DELEGATES. Out After Information. The Waharoa Tennis Club’s representatives at the annual meeting of the Waikato East Lawn Tennis SubAssociation were in an enquiring turn of mind, and their principal rep- [ resentative attended the meeting I armed with a typewritten list of questions. The answering of these questions elicited replies of interest to tennis enthusiasts. j Mr. Kirk stated that they had prej viously intimated to the association that there would be 61 members, but i the actual position was that there were eventually only 45 members. | Were they liable as a club for the fees of 61 members ? The secretary (Mr. Hitchcock) said ' that the sub-association had paid out the fees for the greater number to the parent body in Hamilton. Mr. Wilson (Tirau) said that his club was in the same position, and they had paid. It raised an important question, for it meant that the number of members in a dub would have to be in by a certain date. It was decided, on the motion of Dr. Laurenson (Matamata), to debit the Waharoa club with 12s, the differI ence between the higher and lower j number of members. | The Waharoa delegate then asked if all games have to be umpired. It was stated in reply that the rules of the association provided that this should be so. Mr. Kirk asked if new bails must be used in each match, and it was agreed that this was a matter for the clubs. ■ The starting time of matches was then questioned, and the secretary I stated that all matches were to start at 1 p.m. j As a result of Waharoa’s enquiries | it Was decided to supply all clubs with copies of the rules.