Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1932

Tennis Club

Tennis Club

With the opening of the new courts the game of Tennis at College has become more popular than ever and the attendances have increased, so that the courts are seldom vacant when play is possible. The practice of having a committeeman arrange sets and of limiting each match to twenty minutes was continued last season and this arrangement gave the maximum satisfaction to the largest number of players.

Opening of New Courts.

A successful opening ceremony for the new courts was held on Saturday, 28th November.

page 85

Professor F. P. Wilson, Patron of the Club, introduced Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., who, after a short and appropriate speech, declared the courts open and served the first ball. Visitors included Mr. A. Fair. K.C., and Mr. G. F. Dixon (both of whom were present at the original opening remony 25 years ago), Mrs. F. P. Wilson, Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. N. Goldie, Mr. S. Eichelhaum, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. F. Maclcay, Miss Wood, Mr. W. Leicester, Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Miles, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Monro, Mr. H. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, Professor and Mrs. Adam-son, Mr. T. Kane, Professor and Mrs. McKenzie, Mr. E. Wright and Mr. and Mrs. Malfray.

page 85

Club Championships.

Due to the late opening of the new courts, the Club Championships were not all finalised. The winners, to date, are as follows:—

Women's Doubles: Misses M. Line and C. Long-more.

Men's Doubles: P. Webb and J. B. Black.

Club Ladders.

As usual, considerable activity has been manifested in connection with the men's ladder and many changes in ranking took place. The present arrangement is:—(1) R. McL. Ferkins, (2) J. B. Black, (3) G. S. Simpson, (4) W. S. Harris, (5) W. B. Gosnell, (6) J. J. McCarthy.

It is disappointing having to record again the comparative apathy of the ladies, little enthusiasm being shown. The top six players are: Misses M. Line, V. Dyer, C. Longmore, M. Briggs, Jose Anderson and V. Wilson.

Inter-Club Championships.

This year saw a change in the system of inter-club matches held by the W.P.L.T.A. The two senior grades were divided so as to provide separate competitions for men and women. From the Club's point of view, where women are weak in play compared with the men, and are unwilling to play in such matches, this was a definite improvement.

Teams were entered in three grades, Senior A and Senior B men and Senior A ladies, and. while no championships were won, considerable enthusiasm was displayed and a fair measure of success came our way.

N.Z. University Tournament.

Thanks to the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association, several first grade grass courts were made available at Miramar for practice matches. To a large extent this contributed to the success of the team.

We are very pleased to record that for the first time for 25 years Victoria won the Tennis Cup. Whilst not winning it outright, they tied with Canterbury, the previous holders. It is gratifying to see that our tennis depression is on the turn. It is also gratifying to note that this success was not due to prominence of an individual, but that every member of the team contributed at least one point towards the winning of the cup.

The personnel of our team is reported on another page. Misses M. Line and C. Longmore were successful in winning the N.Z.U. Ladies' Doubles Championship and their N.Z. University Blues.

College Blues.

The following College Blues have been awarded for the 1931-32 season:—Misses M. H. Line, L. C. Longmore, V. Dyer, Messrs. R. McL. Ferkins, J. J. McCarthy, W. B. Gosnell, J. B. Black.

Old Boys' Day.

An innovation this year was a very enjoyable match played against a team of Old Boys. The Old Boys were represented by Colonel Beere, Professor F. P. Wilson, Messrs. A. Fair and S. Eichelbaum, while Messrs. G. Simpson, W. S. Harris, C. S. Plank and J. L. MacDuff formed the Club team. After some keenly contested games the Club succeeded in winning the contest. This is a fixture which might well become an annual one.

Yankee Tournament.

A Yankee Tournament was held on December 5th, 1931, resulting in a victory for Miss M. Briggs and P. Webb, after a thoroughly enjoy-able afternoon.

Courts Improvement.

The thanks of the Club are due to those members whose work and financial assistance have made possible the relaying of the courts. The next step is the raising of the necessary finance to enable the back run at the north end of the courts to be extended by moving back the fence and the provision of a new path. The hurdle is not an insuperable one, and it is hoped that members will show the same spirit as in previous seasons and effect this final improvement, which will make the courts the finest hard courts in Wellington.