LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

WANGANUI BEATEN BY TARANAKI NOTES AND COMMENTS (By A. N. Campbell) Wanganui was badly defeated by Taranaki during the week-end in both No. 1 and No. 2 matches. The absence of Neil Hay-Campbell and Miss M. Ptircell and Miss T. Greaves certainly weakened the teams, but as the matches went it did not appear u.i paper that Wanganui would have won. The Taranaki team is a very solid one, comprising as it does the two Dickie boys, J. McCarthy, C. S. Strombom, and C. Jones, just to mention a few. Usually the Wanganui ladies are the weak part of the team, but in the No. 1 match not a Wanganui win was registered in the men's singles or doubles, a very unusual performance. If other representative matches are to be played this season it is to be hoped that the players will benefit by their experience and that they will give a good account of themselves. On the days, Wanganui was defeated by better balanced teams and was not disgraced.

On Saturday, March 11, the Wanganui East Tennis Club is holding a large garden party and Yankee tennis tourney. An entry fee of Is will be charged and balls will be provided for the tourney. Various stalls will be stocked with fruit, vegetables, cakes, sweets, etc., and games and competitions will be held during the afternoon. The affair will be in aid of funds for the club and the Wanganui Rowing Association, and the latter body will assist in the conducting of the bazaar. It is to be hoped that the public as well as tennis players will patronise the fete. An exhibition tennis match will be staged by four of Wanganui's leading players.

Last week’s races attracted most' players last week-end and little of interest took place locally. Most clubs are now busy finalising their club events, but one or two clubs, especially Wanganui, are too far behind in this matter. Players seem determined not to play matches until forced and already the committee has had to default some players. This lack of willingness to play is very peculiar and it is not fair to the keen members who are anxious to conclude the events early. Golf wilt open the season at some clubs very shortly and those who are still hung up by recalcitrant tennis players will either have to forgo their golf or scratch in their tennis events. One or two members of the Wanganui Club could be named as perennial defaulters and until something drastic is done by the committee they will continue in that role.

There is a great shortage of tennis balls at present and stocks in New Zealand are exhausted until next season. It is one thing for the Government to inaugurate a “keep fit week” to encourage sport, and another thing to allow us to purchase sporting equipment. J*rom what I am told and from what I know, sportsmen are going to have a hard tussle to obtain suitable and plentiful enough golf and tennis balls during the next few months. The range of selection is also to be greatly reduced, and cheap equipment usually purchased for primary schools’ use is practically off the market.

Boys and girls should notv be getting into form for the Wanganui boys’ and girls' championships, which are usually held in March. These championships are held in two grades, under 15 and under 18 years of age, and are open only to those attending Wanganui schools or resident in the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association district. Further details will be announced later.

Few players realise the work done by Mr. A. W. J. Peacock, the secretary of the W.L.T.A., especially in connection with visits from outside teams. Correspondence passes to and fro until the date of a visit is fixed and then the secretary meets visitors, arranges the times of the games, selects the courts and generally manages the function. Even club events entail a great deal of preparation and the secretary is nightly answering telephone queries and taking results that have to be filed. All in all the secretary’s job is like the policeman’s “not a- happy lot.’’

Why is it that after the game has been in vogue for over 60 years it has been discovered that players must wear shorts to improve their game? This, I am afraid, is a fallacy. Shorts to a certain degree may be more comfortable, but whoever complained of feeling uncomfortable in flannels! And, after all, the appearance of players on the court perfectly attired has always been one of the charms of being associated with the sport of tennis. With players of all types and figures appearing in shorts there is plainly further evidence of a business being made of the game, appearance being sacrificed for what some players imagine will bring results. Discussing the matter with a lady player recently and her husband coming under review after he had appeared in shorts, her summing up of the position was explained in these few words: “Yes, doesn’t he just look dreadful.” Perhaps those who imagine that shorts are necessary to improve their game can answer me the following question: Why is it that Jack Crawford, Fred Perry, Ellsworth Vines, Donald Budge, John Bromwich, Von Cramm, Jean Borotra, Rene Lacoste, Toto Brugnon, and Bill Tilden, ten of the finest players the game has ever known, have never resorted to the “back to childhood costumes” whereby to win their championships?