TENNIS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 307, 11 December 1936, Page 2

TENNIS.

The tournament season in South Taranaki will kick off on December 26, when the Hawera Lawn Tennis Club’s championship and handicap tournament will commence. The nine grass courts available art} reported to be in good condition requiring only a spell of line weather to put .them in fast playing order. It is understood that a number of play'ers from Stratford clubs will be taking part.

* * * Work on the renewal of two courts at the Stratford Tennis Club is now w r ell in hand and it is expected that it will be completed shortly. Advice has been received by the committee that a trophy for a Central Taranaki senior inter-club competition is available. All the clubs concerned have not yet been circularised, however, and no replies have yet been received but it is hoped .to have the competition inaugurated in time for the main portion of .the season.

Additional appointments on the executive of the Methodist club have been made. Mr Carter has accepted the vice-presidency of the club in place of Mr S. W. Whyte. W. Dick was elected to the captaincy, the position being vacant because R. Boyd could not this year spare the time which the task of captain involves. The selection of teams this year will be in the hands of Miss M. Ward and W. Dick. > •3fr

While the team play of the men be slightly stronger than last season, that of ithe ladies will be weaker. Miss M. Ward stands at the top, and is in splendid fettle with her backhand and forehand drives, and is very fit. She should represent the club with credit right through the season. Unfortunately for the team, how’ever, the standard pfter the top player drops somewhat precipitately. Mrs Rowe,, second on the ladder, is always a useful play'er, but w r as defeated 7 —l by Miss Ward in a recent match and that is a reliable indication of their respective ability. Miss D. Pofle, Miss J. Aagaard and Miss Fame hold, the next positions and in combined doubles should do fairly well, but

can scarcely be expected' i',to win often in ladies singles and doubles. * * *

The play of the ladies, with the exception of Miss Ward, lacks vim and sting. They will need to increase their pace and to improve the backhand, seeking to change it from a definite strike to something more aggressive. * * * Undoubtedly the most promising player among the ladies is Miss M. Satton, a very 1 young played who is developing an effective style. Her primary need at present is practice and if possible practice in singles play. Before the close of the season she! should have climbed nearer to the top. The team chosen for a match against Ratapiko on Saturday is as follows:. —Ladies: Miss M. Ward, Mrs O. Rowe, Miss D. Pofle, Miss J. Aagaard, Miss J. Fame, Miss M. Satton. Men; Messrs R. Butcher, S. Ward, R. Boyd, A. Vivian, W. Dick, Rev C. Q. Hailwood. * * * During the week S. Ward defeated R. Butcher 9 —5, Ward producing good form and Butcher being off his game. W. Dick commenced his climb toward the top players, defeating Hailwood in an iinterestijig contest by nine games to eight. Competition for places on the ladder is particularly keen.