LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 51, 30 January 1932, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 29. There was n record attendance for Auckland at the fifth day’s play of the New Zealand tennis championships. Two splendid exciting encounters marked the semi-finals of the men’s singles, C. Angas and H. A. Barnett beating E. L. Bartleet and N. It. C. Wilson respectively, thereby making the final an all-Canterbury one. There was brilliant sunshine until late afternoon. Wellington won five games to Auckland’s one in the Nunnelly Casket contest. '. .

Both matches were keenly contested, that between-Barnett and Wilson lasting two hours and twenty minutes, and the one between Angas and Bartleet a little over ten minutes longer. With Barnett and Wilson two sets all, and the games see-sawing from 1 all to 6 all, there was little wonder that ’ the crowd became thoroughly worked up over the contest. There was prolonged cheering and hand-clapping for both victor and vanquished when Barnett finished the match with a brilliant cross-court shot past his opponent’s backhand, which left Wilson standing. The crowd became intensely interested with the fifth set, upon which depended the right to enter the final. Both players adopted t defensive tactics rather than take risks, and there were long rallies in the majority of the games, the players losing their services to 5 all. Wilson was then successful with his service, but Barnett did likewise. The pressure was telling upon Wilson, and the consistent returning of the Canterbury man carried him -to victory. Every game in the match between Angas and Bartleet was closely fought and prolonged, the four sets occupying nearly two and a-half hours. Angas took the lead at the outset. Bartleet played with restraint and caution throughout the mach. Angas varied the game, mixing his drives with pretty chop shots, and he came to the net more frequently than his opponent. At the beginning Bartleet was content to remain at the back of the court, making many fast drives down both sidelines which troubled Angas. The Canterbury player, however, showed amazing steadiness, and made many wonderful recoveries, using accurate lobs to extricate himself from difficulties, and at times scoring points with them.

The comparatively easy defeat of Miss Valkenburg by Miss Hartigan was a surprise, as Miss Valkenburg’s chances of winning the championship were regarded as good. Miss Valkenburg played a sound game, but Misi Hartigan was on the aggressive from the outset, and made few mistakes. Her powerful forehand and backhand drives kept Miss Valkenburg. on the defensive all the time, with the result that she was unable to use many of her best strokes.

Mrs Molesworth’s greater experience and courtcraft were deciding factors in her match with Miss Hall, who far the most part was outmanoeuvred, and could not make much impression on her consistently steady opponent. Angas and Barnett were really unlucky to lose their match against Wilson and Stedman. By superior allround play and perfect combination they completely outclassed their opponents in the first two sets. They led 5—2 in the third set, and they- had the match point at 6 —4, when a wonderful recovery by Wilson saved the

situation for his team. The content was productive of brilliant tennis bv all four, although Angas, Barnett and Wilson were tired after their exertions in the heat of the earlier afternoon. Wilson collapsed upon returning to the dressing-room. The first set of the final of tire women’s doubles proved very even. It was only the fact that the New South Wales players were more consistent that gave them the advantage. Airs Dykes was a dominating figure m the match, her driving being powerful, while her overhead work frequently gained points for her side. Miss Knight played well in the first set, but was very erratic in the second. Two Wellingtonians won the two junior championships—Roussel!, who is a Wilding Shield player, having an easy task in the intermediate final, and Bedford winning the boys’ singles. Auckland and Wellington women s teams began the contest for _ the Nunnelev Contest. Wellington gained a substantial lead, winning five game* to Auckland’s one. . y . The results of the championship play are as follow: MEN’S SINGLES. ' Semi-finals. H. A. Barnett beat N. R. C. Wilson, 2 —6, 6—o, 6 —2. I—6, B—6.8 —6. C. Angas heat E. L. Bartleet, 5 —7, 6 C—3, 10—8. MEN’S DOUBLES. Semi-finals. Wilson and Stedman beat Angas and Barnett, 3 —6, 2 —6, B—6, 6—o, 7 France and France beat Bartleet and Laureuson, 6—l, 6—3, 10 —8. WOMEN’S DOUBLES. Final. Misses Valkenburg • and Hall (N.S.W.) beat Mrs Dykes and Miss Kniglit, 7 —5, 6 —l. COMBINED DOUBLES. Semi-final. Miss Niclrolls and A. L. France beat Miss Macfarlane and- Sturt, 9 —7, 6—3. BOYS’ DOUBLES. Final. Stevens and Chalmers beat Bedford and Dickie,- 6 —3, 6—3. GIRLS’ DOUBLES. Final. . Misses G. Graham‘and Griffiths beat Misses Savin and Drake, 6 —4, 6—4. BOYS’ SINGLES. Final. Bedford beat Chalmers, 6—3, 6 —3. INTERMEDIATE SINGLES. Final. Roussell beat Stevens, 6—o, 6 —o. WOMENS SINGLES. Semi-finals. Miss Hartigan beat Alias Valken--burg, 6 —3, 6 —3. Airs Alolesworth beat Aliss Hall, 9—7, 6—3. NUNNELEY CASKET. Singles. Mrs Dykes beat Aliss Marjorie Macfarlane, 6; —0, 6—2. Miss Nicholls beat Miss Ramsay, 6—2, 6—2. , Mrs Napier beat Airs France, o—6,0 —6, 6 —4, 6 —4. Miss Howe beat Miss Marion Alacfarlane, 6—2, 6—3. Doubles. Misses Nicholls and Howe beat' Mrs Napier and Aliss Ramsay, 6—l, 6-4. Alesdames Dykes and France -beat Misses Alacfarlane, 6—l, 6 —B, 6^2.