OVER THE NET

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 960, 1 May 1930, Page 13

OVER THE NET

BXJ

"DEUCE"

Ranking Of Players The grass court season has now defin tel y closed, and it is interesting to consider tho ranking of New Ze&lflfid s leading players. This is a difficult task it s owing to the distance which separates the different centres the leading players seldom, if at all, meet one another in tournament play in the course of the season. The provincial championships this year were nearly all confined to local players. The entries for tho national championships were below the average. Most of the leading players were competing, but it must be remembered that the championships are decided on tho elimination system. This often means that a player who might otherwise have gone through several rounds is put out early through meeting the ultimate .winner. On the other hand a poorer player may gain prominence through surviving several rounds on account of his luck in the draw. It Avould appear that in New Zealand it is impossible to stage contests between each and every leading player in the course of the season, and for this reason it is difficult to settle a ranking list which will not cause some criticism and lead to a certain amount of controversy.

The following is submitted as the men's list:—l, C. Angas (Christchurch); 2, IX G. France (Wellington): 3, K. L. Bartleet (Auckland); 4, C. 13. Malfroy (Wellington); o, X. R. C. Wilson (Wellington); 6. I. A. Seay (Christchurch); 7, J. T. Laurenson (Waikato); S, A. C. Stedman (Auckland): 9, X. G. Sturt (Auckland); 10, A. L. France (Wellington). Angas's Success

Angas’s right to be ranked as first player in the Dominion is indisputable. He won the Dominion championship, and the Xorth and South Island championships. He also gained the distinction of being the only Xew Zealander to beat Sproule, which he did by two sets f o one, in the South Island match, played against the Australians on har'd courts at Dunedin. Angas was ranked sixth on the official ranking list last season, and has shown great improvement this season. He is a young player, and being very keen is sure to improve still more with experience. At the present time it would appear that he will take a great deal of shifting from his present position for some years to come. D. G. France France was runner-up at the New Zealand meeting, and won the Manawatu championship against a strong field, which included Malfroy, Wilson, and Stedman. He obtained a brilliant win over Kalms in the Xorth Island match. He has been knocking at the door for tho Xew Zealand title on several occasions, and it would not be surprising to see the title pass to him next year, if he could strike an “on day” at the right time. E. L. Bartleet Bartleet did not defend his title at the Xew Zealand meeting. He won the Auckland provincial championship, and during, the course of the season beat Sturt with a good margin immediately

after the latter had run Malfroy to a close five set match at the Dominion championships. He also beat Stedman by three sets to one toward the end of the season, following the latter's successes against the Australians, Donohoe and Teague. C. E. Malfroy

Last season Malfroy was Xo. 2 on the official ranking list. He was, however. disappointing this season and failed to show the improvement which was expected of him. He is probably the soundest all round player in the Dominion, and provided he is prepared to concentrate more he has every chance of reaching the top in Xew Zealand tennis. His omission from the New Zealand team caused a great deal of controversy. He was dropped in favour of Wilson, whom he had beaten in both the Xorth Island Manawatu championships. He had, however, given a very indifferent display against the Australians in the Xorth Island match, whereas Wilson had played brilliantly. N. R. C. Wilson

Wilson is a difficult man to rank. He is a very erratic singles player and suffers from *‘offdays” more than any other leading player. On his day ho is a match for Xew Zealand's best in singles and is outstanding in doubles play.

I. A. Seay Seay won tho Wellington championship against a comparatively weak field, the only serious opposition being A. L. France, who has not produced his old form this season. He was beaten in the Dominion championships by D. G. France by three sets to one. His tennis received a setback two years ago through ill-health and he appears to have now lost some of his old enthusiasm for the game.

J. T. Laurenson Although Laurenson has not competed in any tournaments he played as well as ever against the Australians, Teague and Donohoe, whom he beat in tho Auckland match. On the form he displayed against these players and on his past performances against those who aro ranked below him he is entitled to his position on the list. A. C. Stedman

Stedman started the season badly, but redeemed his reputation later on when faster conditions prevailed. He displayed excellent form against the Australians, both in the Auckland and tho Xorth Island match. He also won tho Xew Zealand University championship. His courtcraft has shown distinct improvement and his doubles play has improved beyond recognition. N. G. Sturt Sturt's best performance was against Malfroy in the Xew Zealand championships, when both players rose to great heights. He is one of tho leading doubles players in the Dominion, but at present lacks the power in singles play to push home the advantage which he holds ovoj* players who do not possess the shots Or natural ability that he does. A. L. France

France has gone back considerably this season and from all accounts it is

unlikely that he will be taking the game seriously next season. lie has always been a thorn in the side of thrs stylists and some of his marathons will live long in the memory of those players who have followed the championships in recent years. A. W. Sims Sims (Waikato) has been omitted from the ranking. list as he has not taking part in any tournaments where leading players have been competing. Ho recently Avon the Waikato championship AAitli great ease and his form would indicate he is AA-orthy of a place on the ranking list. His health, however, would probably prevent him from coming through a tournament where a series of hard matches were necessary to reach the final. The Women’s L>st The form displcyed by the leading women players, with the exception of Miss Xicholls and Mrs. Mo ody. varied considerably and any list which may be compiled is sure to create a great deal of controversy. The following list is submitted: (I>, Mis D. Xicholls; (2), Mrs. W. J. Melody; (3), Mrs. R. P. Adams; (4), Miss Macfarlane; (5). Miss Myers; (6), Miss Knight: (7), Mrs. Thomson; (S). Mrs. Scott; (9), Miss Wake; (10), Miss Whyte. Miss Nicholls's Great Year Miss Xicholls has had a great season and has carried everything before her. Ranked as Xo. S on the official ranking list at the end of last season, ; sho has jumped to Xo. 1 position, spd j her right to this plr ce is beyond dis- : pute. Sho won the Xew Zealand. North Island and Manawatu titles comfortably in the face of the strong f opposition which offered at all those j tournaments. If she can hold the form i produced by her this year she will ! have an odds on chance of retaining j her titles next year. Mrs. Meiody Mrs. Melody won the Auckland I championship and was runner-up at i the XeAV Zealand championships. She i beat all the leading players with the j exception of Miss Xicholls. during the • course of the season and her consistent performances entitle her to second place. Mrs. Adams Mrs. Adams lias been somewhat ipconsistent. Sho beat both Miss Macfarlane and Miss Myers, although tha latter reversed this result at the Dominion meeting. Miss Macfarlane For some inexplicable reason. Miss Macfarlane was unable to regain her past form this season. She seemed to lose confidence in the early part of the season, but had obviously regained this at the latter part of the season as evidenced by tho Avay she rose tc* the occasion in the third set against Miss Knight in the final at the ICo.-nt inA-itation tournament. Miss Knight i After her brilliant display at tho j Auckland championships when sho beat Miss Macfarlane it was thought J that Miss Knight was in for a good I season. Her subsequent form. lu'ave\*er, proved disappointing. She lias been beaten on two occasions by Mi J [Ramsay in ladder matches, bai tl • j latter was not nearly as succesr f ! against the other leading players ! Miss Knight was in th • c<-«ur. < i f *. j season. Miss Ramsay failed badly in '■ e various tournament.* in which - competed and although she has good ! performances t.» her credit ia A :•••>.- ■ land tennis, this dees not *ntuh h> r Ito a position on the list before t: I Southern players who are placed in I the last four.