LAWN TENNIS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 224, 27 January 1911, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS

THE TARANAKI TOURNAMENT. Th« Taranaki Tennis Tournament was commenced at the New Plymouth Club's courts yesterday afternoon. The weather was perfect for tennis—a dull, warm day, tempered by a light breeze. The courts were again in lirst-class condition, showing evidence of careful preparation by the groundsman, Mr. J. H, Bennett. The joint secretaries, Messrs. J. Paton and H. Stocker, had attended to every detail, and as a result there was no delay, the four courts being fully occupied all the afternoon. Despite the fact that it was the first day, and that there was a strong counter attraction at the Governor's reception, there was a large and enthusiastic gathering of spectators. Probably owing to the fact that there have been so many tournaments lately, there was not such a large number of outside champions as on some previous occasions. The Waverley and Patea clubs were represented in strong force. Both Dickie and Wallace are in fine form, and will probably reach the semi-finals, as should also Jennings (Hawera) and Bonnington (of Christchurch). This player has been very successful at recent tournaments. In the men's championship singles, Dickie, Wallace, Wybourne, Jennings and A. Powdrell won their matches. In every case the matches were won by two straight-out sets, but some very close games were played, "advantage all' being called on numerous occasions. Notably was this the case in the matches, Wallace v. S. J. Smith, which the former won by 7 —5, 6 —4; and E. J. Dickie versus S. Powdrell. Although the former won by 6—2, 6—l, he was well extended. In the only men's championship doubles Nicholson and Jennings had a very easy win over Palmer and Wybourne, winning by 12 games to "love."

Among the ladies only one championship match was played, Mrs. Wallace and Miss Dickie against Mrs. Palmer and Miss Walker. The Waverley pair won each of two sets by o—2. In the Men's Handicap Singles, the back markers were generally successful. Bonnington (owe 20) won two matches, beating A. Powdrell (owe 5), after a good tussle. He, however, carried too many guns for F. H. Robertson, and scored the necessary 80 points while the latter scored 40. Nicholson (owe 12) beat P. C. Anibury (8). The latter was palpably off at the start, but improved as the game progressed. In his match against Webster, Nicholson did not gain any of the 20 points he was giving away till the game was well advanced, but his determined play stood to him, and he scored a meritorious win by three points. In the B grade, J. H. Thompson (scr.) aiiu A. Ambury (10) provided an exciting finish. The latter was leading by 59 to 57, but lost the last four strokes and the match. Thompson afterwards lost to Crawshaw. Crawford, Jackson and Crisp also won their matches.

Several matches in the Ladies' Handicap Singles were completed, and some very close finishes resulted. Mesdames Harvey and Wallace, Misses Simpson (2), and E. Hurle obtained wins. Three games in the Men's Handicap Doubles eventuated. Smith and Smith beat Thompson and Howden by two points after a very close finish, whilst Ambury Bros, and Medley and Matthews were also successful.

The umpiring in some cases was rather indifferent. Particularly was this the case in regard to foot-faults. Some of the older players made very glaring infringements, but in very few cases were they puned up. The detailed results are as follows: Men's Championship Singles (best of three sets advantage sets).—First round: Dickie (Waverley) beat Palmer (Canada), 6—l, o—3; Wallace (Waverley) beat 8. J. Smith (Xew Plymouth), 7—5, o—4; S. Powdrell (Patea"), beat 1-1. W. 'Broadmore ('Fitzroy), o—2, 0—0; K. D. Wybourne (Waverley) beat E. W. Griffiths (Xiiw Plymouth), o—l, o—2; Jennings (Hawcra) beat Howdcn (New Plymouth), 0-0, 0—1; P. C. Ambury (Fitzroy) received a bye from K. Uiutifths; A. Powdrell. (Patea) beat W. Lints (Fitzroy), o—3, o—3. Second round: O. J. Dickie (Waverlev) beat S. Powdrell (Patea), o—2, o—l.' Men's Championship Doubles, best of three sets, advantage sets.—Nicholson and Jennings beat Palmer and Wybourne, o—u,0 —u, (!—O.

Ladies' Championship Doubles, best of three sets. Third set, advantage set. — Mrs. Wallace and Miss Dickie (Waverley) defeated Mrs. Palmer (Canada) and Miss Walker (Auckland), o—2, o—2.

Men's Handicap .Singles, A grade, GO points up, to be won by two clear points. —(First round: C. Webster (8) v. W. Lints (7), 00—34; Nicholson (owe 12) v. P. C. Ambury (8), 00—50; Jennings (owe 20) v. C. it Wicston - (.L-3), OJ —57; Bonnington, Christchurch (owe 2(1) v. A. Powdrell, Patea (owe 5), 00— 43; llowden (7) v. S. Powdrell, Patea (scr.), (SO—4s; C. Wybourne, Patea (scr.) v. J. Morton (5), 00—44. Second round: Bonnington (owe 20) v. F. Robertson (New Plymouth), 00—48; Nicholson (owe 12) v. Webster (8), OU —57. Men's Handicap Singles (B grade).— F. H. Jackson (7) beat lan Grant (7), 00—57; W. P. Crawford (10) beat Som. Smith (10), 60—53; J. H. Thompson (scr.) beat A. Ambury, sen. (10), til—<sU; ■E. S. Crisp (15) beat L. Sole (10), 00 —45. Second round: V. Crawshaw, Stratford, (scr.) beat Thompson (scr.), 00—40.

Ladies' Handicap Singles. First round: Miss D. Simpson, New Plymouth, (8) beat Miss Walker, Auckland, (5), 40 —33; Miss V. Simpson, New Plymouth, (5) beat Miss Dickie, Waverley (5), 40—30; Mrs. Wallace, Waverley, (5) beat Miss J. Fitzherbcrt, New Plymouth (15), 40—37; Mrs. Harvey, New Plymouth, (15) beat Miss L. Fitzherbert, New Plymouth (20), 40—38. Seconu round: Miss K. Hurle, Fitzroy, (15) beat, Miss L. Webster, New Plymouth (15), 40—34.

Ladies' Handicap Doubles, 40 points up, must be won by at least two clear points.—First round: Misses Hurle and Potior (10) beat Misses Crawford and Wybourne (10), 40—28.

Men's Handicap Doubles, CO points up, must be won by at least two clear points.—First round: Messrs. Webster and Morton (10) beat Medley and Matthews (25), 00—47; A. ll.'and P. C. Ambury (10) beat J. King and E. S. Crisp (25). (io—s4; Smith and Smith (12) beat Thompson and Ilowden (10), 61—50. The tournament will be continued at 0.30 this morning, when the following matches will be played:—Dr. Fookes v. Nicholson; D. Cowan v. Bonnington; Howden and Thompson v. Ambury and Ambury; Mrs. Palmer and R. D. Wybourne v. Miss Mackay and J. H. Thompson. They will be succeeded by C. H. Weston v. A. W. Soundv; Palmer v. S. J. Smith; R. B. Anderson v. K. W. Griffiths; Miss Walker and C. .T. Dickie v. Mrs. Payne and F. W. Martin.