TENNIS NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1940, Page 3

TENNIS NOTES

. UNITED CLUB’S TOURNEY COMMENT ON PLAY. KEEN COMPETITION EVIDENT. (By ‘Volley.”) With two days of splendid weather, perfect from the tennis players’ point of view, the doubles tournament conducted by the United Club was a great success. Particularly so, in that the players that took part in it will find that their standard of play will be much improved with the keen competition that was much in evidence during the three events played. In the ladies’ doubles, the winners Misses P. Nicol and M. James on rec. 15, were outstanding, being probably the two youngest players competing. Both show the effects of sound coaching, their stroking and court positions being excellent. They both possess splendid services and are not afraid to hit the ball. More should be heard ol these two young ladies in the future. Of the other pairs probably Mrs J. Beelham and Miss T. Major, on owe 30, were the best. Certainly Mrs J. Beetham individually stands head and shoulders above the ladies, her tennis during the tournament being outstanding. Another lady player to show fine form was Miss I. Palmer. She has. however, a tendency to hit every ball hard with her sweeping forehand instead of picking the right balls to treat thus. However, she should soon, conquer this habit with the experience she will get and the end of the season will undoubtedly see her well up the ladies’ ladder. The men’s doubles also provided plenty of action. The surprise of this event was the elimination of P. Hawksworth and B. Hurley on bwe 30, at the hands of J. C. Corbishley and G. Challis on rec. 15. to the tune of 9-1. While Hawksworth was not playing his usual game, Hurley was disappointing. His tendency to stay at half-court is this player’s biggest fault. The semi-final of these doubles between C. K. Long and N. Beetham scr. v. Wepihana and F. Poole scr. was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tournament, and provided a good gallery with some very keen play, the decision, after being down match point, going to the former pair 9-8.

The final of this event went to J. C. Corbishley and G. Challis on rec. 15 who proved 100 strong for the LongBeetham combination to the tune of 9-7. Another good combination in this event was that of V. Joseph and M. Wing on rec. 15, who battled through in fine style to the semi-finals. V. Joseph still plays a very heady game ahd with his hard hitting forehand, is a power to be reckoned with. The combined doubles undoubtedly went to the best combination .in Mrs J. Beetham and J. Payton, who, on owe 30, fully deserved their win. The final between them and Miss R. Percy and B. Hurley also on owe 30, was a great match, all four playing well up to their best form, with Mrs J. Beetham perhaps dominating the other three.

Again a minor sensation was provided in this event with the elimination in the first round of P. Hawksworth and Miss N. Rishworth on owe 40 at the hands of C. K. Long and Miss B. Payton on owe 30. However, the latter combination was far the steadier and fully deserved their win. Two other outstanding pairs in this event were V. Joseph and Miss Rudd on rec. 15 and E. Morris and Miss I. Palmer on scr. Doth went right through to the semi-finals and gave their conquerors each a very hard match before going down to the scores of 9-7 in each case. In the latter combination E. Morris took the eye as a likely improver who appears to have most of the necessary '■hot- He hits everything hard and cleanly and it will be interesting to see what improvement he makes as the season advances. The ladder for both the men and women has now been made up and is