TENNIS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 340, 22 January 1937, Page 2

TENNIS.

It may not always be good from the senior’s point of view, for improvement in theii- play, but it assists juniors. .Seniors should be careful, of course, to have a reasonable amount of play among themselves also, as they represent the club in competitions. The club is to be congratulated on the keenness of its membership and on the sociability and friendliness always in evidence. * * * The record in match play so far this season has not been a Stirling one, due not so much to lack of good players, as to inability to field their best team, bast Saturday’s match against Ratapiko was no exception to this. Certainly the leading men of Ratapiko are superior to Methodist. But with the best team playing for both sides, the match would have been very even. * * * The men’s singles results demonstrate the necessity for concentrated practice'. The material is there alright, but it needs improvement and finish. Butcher on form is strong in service, overhead work ;and peneral court craft; Ward its steady but need's the extra ability enabling him to go to the net and finish aff a ‘rally. Serious scientific practice Is the only path to power. The ladies did well in the singles, winning four out of the six, Miss Gotten just losing 5 —6. This player revealed splendid form, especially in singles. Singles practice is still her greatest need. J. Cottier and B. Leonard, both fairly new players, acquitted themselves well. Miss Ward won a love set again, while Miss D Pople sprang a surprise in winning 6—4.

Ladder matches continue to sustain interest in the club. Ward tackled Butcher again for top place, but was repulsed 9—6, Butcher’s lobbing capacity being a big factor in his victory. Vivian challenged Ward but was beaten 9—4. Vivian has not yet given of his best this season, but now that he is visiting the courts consistently, will regain his form. The A team is having .a bye for Saturday — The B team will play Douglas • and has been selected as follows: —Men; c. O. Hailwood, J. Sugden, F. Shackleton, D. Harleness. Ladies; M. Gatton, J. Fame, J. Cottier, B. Leonard l . Th e team will not go prepared for victory, as that Is hardly But it wtl|i do well to win ev'en a small percentage of sets, and benefit from the experience. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS With the new courts practically ready for use the Stratford Tennis Clulb is getting into full swing after the holidays and the club championships and Walter Cup matches are now commencing. The draw tor the championship, which must be finished by February 7, is as follows: Men’s singles championship: Norton v. Brooks; M. Lawrence v. Stokes; J. Ross v. C. Ennis; H. E. Lawrence v. Hardy-Jones; Sharrock v. Sloane; Henderson v. McGregor; winner v. Wilmshurst. Men’s junior singles championship: Henderson v. Lynch; N. Ennis v. McInnes; McCullough v. Cameron; Taylor v. Kelly; winner v. Benefield. Ladies’ singles championship: Miss Furrie v. Miss Wilmshurst; Miss Francis v. Mrs Stokes; Mrs Weston V. Miss Lacy. Ladies’ junior singles: Miss D. Peterson v. Miss B. Hale; Miss G. Brown v. Miss Wilmshurst; Miss Caldwell v. Miss G. Hale; winner v. Miss D. Keightly. Men’s doubles championship: Graham and Cochrane v. Sloane and Henderson; winner v. N. Ennis and Brooks; Lynch and McGregor v. J. Ross and Norton; I. Bamford and J. Wilmshurst v. Benefield and Cameron; Hardy-Jones and M. Lawrence v. H. E. Lawrence and Stokes. Ladies’ doubles championship; Miss Wilmshurst and Mrs Weston v. Misses Cook and H. Wilmshurst; winner v. Misses J. and B. Hale; Misses Keightly and Francis v. Misses Brown and Lacy; Mrs Home and Miss Pederson v. Mesdames Ennis and Caldwell. Combined doubles championship; Sharrock and Miss E. Wilmshurst v. Hardy-Jones and Miss B. Hale; winner v. Henderson and Miss J. Hale; McGregor and Miss J. Francis v. J. Ross and Miss Whittle; N. Ennis and Mrs Ennis v. Bamford and Mrs Weston; Mclnnes and Miss Rawles v. Stokes and Mrs Stokes; winner v. Wilmshurst and Miss Lacy; Norton and Miss Furrie v. Brooks and Mrs Caldwell. • • • PETRIE SHIELD (By ‘‘Forehand.”) There can be no disputing the fact that the committee controlling

the Petrie Shield tennis competition are doing excellent work and that the competition is one of the most satisfactory in Taranaki and particularly suited to the district around Stratford. With regard to rules controlling the selection of the teams, however, there is room for criticism. At the meeting of the committee this week, it was deejd/edi **“* future, wfrere a club »s qntering more than one team in t'he competition, teams must be chosen strictly i!n accord with the ladder.. Thi& has apparfajntly been 'done wi|th the indention of making it feasiblfs tor players who go off for m t o be denoted from th e 'hfg'her team pt t|ie seme time preventing interchange of pl’ayerg when the senior Steam has a bye. * * * In achieving this piece of legislation the committee seem to have allowed sympathy with the larger clubs to have overcome consideration for the good of the competition which corresponds to the good of the game in the district. This season it is Stratford and Methodist who are affected, both having entered two teams. ■M- * ■* If cither of these clubs, has entered the competition with “pot-hunting” as a. principle motive, then there can be no doubt that the new rule is admirably suited to their interests for by entering an A team composed of their strongest eight players they are obviously making the most of their chances of winning the competition. If, as seems more likely, however, these two clubs have entered their teams in a sporting spirit and with the object of enabling their junior players to develop their game, this new rule cannot but bo a source of annoyance to them. * * •* The B team under these becomes merely a farce as far )as the competition element is concerned. When, for (example, the Stratford A team plays the Stratford B team players £n the Batter will| in -javery case be meeting opponents four positions higher in ladder ranging. Even if they were to scone a victory in these circumstances they would mierely be .indicating that interest '> n the club’s Hadder had lapsed iso that it was not a true indication of form. * * From the point of view of both the larger clubs and the country clubs, who play against them, it would obviously be much more satisfactory if, where two teams are entered, they were of as nearly equal strength as possible. Though the two Stratford clubs might slightly diminish their Chances of winning the competition in taking such action they would be far more than compensated by the knowledge that they

were giving their own and other clulbs’ players much more satisfactory terms. * * * The Methodist club is certainly al'iVe 4 Every fine evening seeg flhe courts filled, with several waiting thleir turn. During the past week practically every niight has sjeen 20 cr so players enjoying their tennis. Signs of development amongst the new players are not hard to find. If is good to see the willingness of senior players to join in |&ets with j juniors.