LAWN TENNIS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 22 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS

AN ALL=TIME RECORD? MISS M. BEVERLEY’S TITLES MRS E. WESTAGOTT’S FEAT (By “Gross-Court’’) Something like an all-time record has been set u.p by Miss M. Beverley, the young Matamata player, who, at the Auckland championships, which concluded on Saturday, won five titles for the third season in succession. Still an intermediate, Miss Beverley’s list of successes in recent years has no parallel, and though Injury kept her out of the New Zealand championships this year, there seems no disputing her right to the No. 1 position. First Time In Sixteen Years For the first time in 16 years the Australian women's singles title has gone to Queensland. Mrs E. Westacott, by a great win over Mrs H. Hopman, was successful in carrying off the honour, which was last won for her State by Mrs Molesworth in 1922 and 1923. Passed over last year for the women’s tour abroad, Mrs Westacott had her revenge when she disposed of Mrs Hopman in no uncertain manner, and went through a field which included all four of last year's Australian touring team. Nunnerley Casket Match The Otago association has decided to seek again a match for the Nunner;ey Casket. It will be recalled that earlier in the season Otago, on behalf •>f the southern associations, issued a challenge to Canterbury, which the latter association was unable to accept as just prior to receiving the challenge it had accepted one from Wellington. Otago has now' decided to ask for a date early yin March, and there appears to be every likelihood of the match uemg arranged. The nucleus of the team would be provided by Miss D. Miller (North Otago) and Miss R. Wilson (Southland., both of whom were prominent at the New Zealand championship tournament at Christchurch. Miss Miller, now one of the outstanding women players in the Dominion, could he relied on to win her matches, which would give the team i good start. Miss Wilson, too, must be given every prospect of success. It will be recalled that she earned high praise at the championship tournament, especially for Hu* remarkable improvement in her play after a short Another possible member of the team is Miss J. Eaton, of Timuru, who is reported to he showing good form. That she is accustomed to grass courts should be a factor in favour of her selection.

knows other people’s weaknesses, but never plays upon them, and his opinions are respected to a degree that makes him the Dr. Grace of the pastime. Australian Opinion The following comment on the New .Zealand championships is from an Australian exchange.—“ New Zealand can learn something when we tell her that the Victorian State singles championship began this week with round about 400 entries, and that beginning at 2 p.m. three rounds are played. 21 up, without a time limit. These unrestricted games take place on 32 greens, and once beaten a player goes to the bank. Though we confess a liking for the two-life system, New Zealand does not find the real champion. Rather is the Dominion singles event a tournament, in which physical fitness to see out about 14 to 16 games, beginning with five a day, is essential. Competitions at Railway Further progress has been made in the championship singles of the Railway Club. In the A grade McNamara beat Martin. 23—7: Harvey beat Doyle. 21—12; McCabe beat Holberg, 23—17 ; and Morris beat Johnson, 21 11. In the B grade Lepper beat Chambers. 19—14; Williams beat Britton, 24 —17; and Greene beat Gavan, 17—11. In the Baddley Ferns contest several matches have been played. In the A grade the holders, Johnson and Hebditch, beat Doyle and

The diminutive Victorian who has been very consistent in Sheffield Shield matches this season, his scores being 104, 73. 56, 0. 211 nut out, 54, 6 2 and 139.