TENNIS NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1940, Page 8

TENNIS NOTES

UNITED CLUB ACTIVITIES LADDER COMPETITION. ' SURRISES IN MEN’S SECTION. (By “Volley.”) With the start of the United Tennis Club’s ladder competition last week, quite a few matches have taken place in both the women’s and men’s sections. The first two of the mens match- played created quite a surprise J. A. Kennedy going down to B. M. Hurley to the tune of 6/5, 4/6, 0/6, in a match that was very even until the last set when Kennedy hardly took a point, let alone a game. In the other match G. Colquhoun surprised by edging C. K. Long off in the third set at 7/5. Both played fair tennis with Colquhoun the more accurate. Later in the week G. Colquhoun met J. Bright, but this match went according to Hoyle, Bright coming home to the tune of 6/1, 6/4, Bright’s hard driving and serving carrying the day. Another interesting match was that of J. Wepihana against the veteran F. Phillips. However youth predominated in two straight sets. One can understand the use of the word “blitzfreig” after seeing P Hawksworth upend B. Hurley to the tune of 6/0, 6/0. Hawksworth’s forehand shots were simply devastating and Hurley found himself quite unable to find an answer to them. Undoubtedly Hawksworth is head- and shoulders above anyone else playing in the club. In direct contrast to the above match was that of F. Morrell and J. J. Payton, who turned on a brand of very ordinary tennis quite out of keeping with their usual displays, Morrell taking the honours in two straight sets. Rather a surprise was created when two youngsters in A. Reynolds and S. Faulknor battled out a two set match with Faulknor in front at the end with the scores of 6/2, 9/7. Reynolds is a hard hitting player, but is inclined to be erratic. Faulknor on the otherhand is more decided in his play. In the women’s section there has been less competition, but for all that the standard of play has been very good. Miss B. Davenport was noticed hitting a hard forehand to down Miss N. Richards at 9/5 after a good display of hard and accurate hitting by both. However accuracy won the day in this match.

Miss J. McDonald did nothing in her match with Miss M. Greenlees to show she was worthy of her high ladderplacing. Miss Greenlees accounting for her very quickly to the score of 9/1. This player is a greatly improved one this season, and quite unlike a number of women players is always willing to give every ball a “go.” If she keeps on improving at the rate she is going she will soon be much further up the ladder. Miss McDonald has one or two very nice shots, but her service is inclined to be very erratic, and her backhand is not what it should be. If she looks to and improves these two shots her tennis will improve 15 or 30 in no time. Miss M. James continues on her winning way. Miss T. Major falling to her racquet in three sets. This young player has a future in the tennis world. It was pleasing to see Mrs. P. Hawksworth make her first appearance at the courts on Saturday. Although it was her first tennis this season she turned on very fine play, her forehand and smashing in particular Being excellent. Another player noticed making his debut of the season was H. M. O'Connor. He too showed that his tennis has lost none of its cunning, and in a week or two he should be troubling the best of them at the club. It is understood that should sufficient teams enter, the Wairarapa Lawn Tennis Association will be starting the B. and C. grade competitions shortly. The United Club has already entered two teams in each grade, and it is hoped that other clubs will follow suit and help to keep the competitions gowing during the war period.

Members of the United Club are asked to note that entries are now being taken for the various club competitions and championships, and entries close on Saturday next December 14. No late entries will be accepted as the committee intend to do the handicapping and the draw the next day. The first round of each event must be played before Christmas.