Tennis Commences

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 799, 21 October 1929, Page 6

Tennis Commences

SEVERAL MORE CLUBS OPENED Bright Weather Attracts Players WELCOMING- the advent of early summer in Saturday's brilliant sunshine, several more clubs opened their courts for the 1929 season during the afternoon. Opening ceremonies at each of the clubs attracted large numbers of members and visitors, all eager lor the first name of the new year. All the courts were fully engaged throughout the afternoon in club games.

VARSITY The five hard courts of the Varsity Club were opened in the presence of about 50 players, who were intensely eager for the first “knock.” Declaring the courts open, Mr. E. Hickson, president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, congratulated the club on its progress during the past 12 months, and expressed the hope that the present season would be even more successful. He referred in appreciative terms to the progress and development of the game in the city and suburbs under the control of the Auckland Association. The association, he said, seemed assured of a record season in regard to matches and players under its jurisdiction this combined doubles tourney engaged players threughout the day. EDENDALE

and Moore (J.C.L.) beat Misses Dell ard Bourne, 7—6. Combined Doubles.—Mrs. Colleire ami Simpson (“Herald”) beat Miss Wade and J. W. Court, 7—2; Miss Dawson and Adams (“Herald ) beat Miss Cuthbert son and J. W. Court. 7—3; Miss Durham and Saunderson (J.C.L. 1 beat Miss Ru«*t and Whitburn, 7—l; Miss McGregor and Newell C Herald”> beat Miss Nicholson and H. J. Court, 7—2; Miss Judd and English (J.C.L.) beat Miss Dell and Chappell, 7—l; Miss Moore and Foster (J.C.L) beat Miss Bourne and Baragwanath, 7 5 Men’s Singles.—Simpson (“Herald”) beat J. W. Court, 9—5. Owing to a failing light other singles matches had to be abandoned. THAMES METHODIST Tennis players from the surrounding districts attended the opening oj the Thames Methodist Club’s courts. The club members assembled in force and numerous sets were played on the four asphalt courts during the afternoon. The official opening was performed by Mr. J. Lange, president, who stated that the elub this year was stronger in membership than it had ever been. Tito financial position was more than satisfactory, the sum ot X3U being all the club owed on the ground. Ko doubt this year would see that amount paid off. At the conclusion of the afternoon's play the annual meeting of the club was held, and the following were elected to office:- — President, Mr. J. 11. Lange; vicepresidents, Messrs. E. hf. Miller, F. H. Claxton and J. W. Danby; secretary, and treasurer. Mr. S. Danby; club captain, Mr. C. J. Garland; deputy-captain, Mr. D. Curry; tournament secretary, Mr. A. Danby; committee, Messrs. E. A. Palmer, C~. J. Garland, D. Curry, S Dajiby and Dr. A. S. Gray; selection committee, Messrs. Garland, Curry and Mrs. Glover: women’s committee, Mesdames Glover, G. Gibson, Misses Turner and D. Griffin.

The world trend toward the hard court was commented on on Saturday by Mr. Raymond Ferner, president of the Edendale Tennis Club, in declaring the courts open for play. During the winter the club’s three courts were altered from a grass to a. chip surface. Mr. Ferner considered this a wise change, us not only would maintenance costs be much lower, but the standard of play would be improved immeasurably. Tilden had said that the grass court of the future would have no place in club competitions, and France and the United States certainly seemed to bear out his contention. The hard court training had produced a lengthy list of French champions.

There will be about 40 active members of the club this year. A number of new members and visitors were entertained at afternoon tea.

BOMBAY The Bombay Club’s courts were opened on Saturday in the presence of the largest crowd of players seen there for some years. The club president, Mr. J. B. McKinney, declared the season open, and Mrs. McKi nn t served the first ball. The players were addressed by Mr. M. S. Campbell, president of the Franklin Association. ST. JOHN’S, TE AWAMUTU With, a prospective membership of 20, St. John’s Club at Te Awamutu is to be revived this season. The courts are to be officially opened on November 9. The following officers have been elected: —Fatron, the Mayor, Mr. C. G. Downes; president, Kev. S. R. Wareing; secretary, Mr. B. Morris; treasurer, Miss L. Bray; committee, Rev. Newton, Mrs. Morris, Misses B. Green, and E. Ball. OPOTIKI The Opotiki Tennis Club has elected the following officers for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. G. B. Murray; hon. secretary, Mr. T. Bloor; committee, Misses C. and H. Larmer, Messrs. K. Hayr, F. Chapman, L Main, H. Hawkins, and E. A. Bunkall. The meeting was followed by a successful dance. PAPAKURA CLUB Prom Otir Oicn Correspondent The Papakura Tennis Club ’officially opened its courts for play on Saturday, in the presence of a large gathering. Visitors were present from the Papakura Methodist Tennis Club, the Kuraka Tennis Club and Pukekohc Tennis Club. The chairman of the Papakura Town Board, Mr. James McCall, in declaring the courts open for play, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors and wished the members of the club a good season. Ho congratulated the club on the excellent progress it had made and hoped it would still continue to make good progress. He then called on Miss Annie McLennan to drive the first ball.

PAPATOETOE The Papatoetoe Lawn Tennis Club’s courts presented an animated scene when Mr. F. M. Waters, club president, welcomed the largest gathering of members of the club and visitors from sister clubs ever seen on the courts, at the official opening for the 1929-30 season. Representatives were present from practically every club affiliated with the Auckland association. Reference was made by the president to the large increase in membership, and also to the strong financial position which the club enjoyed. He congratulated the club on the splendid record in the inter-club matches, and wished them even better success for the future. Mr. E. Hickson, president of the Auckland association, congratulated the club on the splendid progress made during the past few years. Reference was rnc.de to the possibility of having courts laid down in the Domain. Mrs. Waters then served the first ball and the courts were officially declared open for play. Keen interest was taken in the progressive tournament, which was won by Miss. Evelyn Rennie, of Mangere Central Club, and Mr. H. Elder, of the Papatoetoe Club. During the afternoon an exhibition match was played by Messrs. N. Sturt, F. Lucas, E. W. Griffiths and R. Milne, of the Remuera Club. The members of the Papatoetoe Bowling, Croquet and Cricket Clubs, were the guests of the tennis club to afternoon tea. MANUREWA There was a large attendance of members of the Manurewa Tennis Club and visitors from sister clubs at the official opening of the Manurewa courts.

The president, Mr. W. Smith, extended a cordial welcome to the large gathering and called on the Countess of Orford to play the first ball, and officially declare the courts open for the season. The Countess expressed her pleasure at seeing such a large and representative gathering, and also referred to the excellent playing areas available. Mr. C. A. Fawcett, on behalf of the Manurewa Town Board and Bowling Club, extended the club best wishes for the season. • During the afternoon Mr. E. Hickson, president of the Auckland Association, visited the courts. Afternoon tea was served in the Town Hall, which had been prettily decorated with masses of spring blooms. CARLTON V. METHODIST A friendly tourney between Carlton and Methodist Club teams was won by the former by seven matches, 67 games, to five matches. 62 games. Re r suits as under. Carlton players being mentioned first; —* Women’s Doubles.—" Misses Wigmore and Wolfenden beat Misses Gubb, 7—6; Misses Bond and Pausina Inst to Misses Fople and Leadley, 5—7; Misses Hammond and Thomson lost to Miss Clegg and Leadly, 5—7. Men’s Doubles.—Ling and George lost to Wolfenden and Laking, 4—7; Minn and Wolfenden beat Claydon and Moor, 7—l; Shand and Backhurst beat Gatland and Wickland. 7—6. Combined Doubles.—Shand and Miss Wigmore lost to Wolfenden and Miss A. Gubb. 5—7; Ling and Miss Bond lost to Laking and Miss W. Gubb, 4—7; George and Miss Wolfenden beat Moor and Miss Popls, 7—4; Minn and Miss Pansina beat Claydon and Miss Leadly. 7—4; Backhurst and Miss Hammond beat Galland and Miss Leadly. 7—2; Wolfenden and Thomson, beat Moor and Miss Clegg. INTER-HOUSE MATCH An inter-house match between John Court’s and the “Herald,” played on the Hamilton Road courts on Saturday, was won by John Court’s by an odd match in 13. On a points basis the teams tied, each scoring 77 games. Results were as under: Men s Doubles.— Saunderson and J. W. Dourt (J.C.L.) beat Simpson and Adams. ; —V Saunderson and H. J. Court CJ.C.L.) beat Whitburn and Chappell. 9—7; English and Foster (J.C.L.) beat Newell and Baragwanath. 9—6.

Womens Doubles—Mrs. College and aiiss Dawson (“Herald) beat Misses Durham and Made, 7—4: Misses Rust and McGregor C Herald”) beat Misses Cuihbertson and Nicholson, 7—6; Misses Judd