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The Spike or Victoria College Review, June 1908

Tennis

page 41

Tennis

"Another race hath been and other palms are won."

—Wordsworth.

Sketch of man and woman at tennis net

TThe Tennis season with all its hopes and aspirations, it "chances bungled and battles won," has run its course and faded into hasting memory. It has been eventful and there has been the rough with the smooth. The season, which promised much, has been the passing of our coveted possession the Tennis Cup to our old rival, Canterbury College, and has revealed the certainty that the day of our high order in local contests is not as yet with us. On the other hand there is much for gratulation. The membership, eightyseven, constitutes a record, and throughout the season, six teams embracing practically the whole of the members, have represented the Club in the various competition. The Club possesses the material and it is fair to assume, that at no distant time Victoria College will be a power to be reckoned with in the Wellington Tennis World. As for the recovery of the Tournament Tennis Cup the Club may be confidently expected to consider it a matter of primary importance. We extend congratulations to Misses J. Scott and K. McIntosh, who hold the Ladies' Singles and Doubles Championships of the N. Z. University on our behalf.

Early in the season a demolishing phalanx of pick and shovel students commenced operations on the site of the fourth Tennis Court. In shady shelter near at hand a faithful band of ladies with afternoon tea tended the parched throats and aching voids of the said demolishing force and the work proceeded a pace. The rock was tough, but the pickmen were tougher, and soon cartloads of detached mountain side were being hurried to page 42 a more useful purpose. Many non—tennis players lent their muscles and a few Saturdays of vigorous work left a nasty scar on the hillside. Cricket and tennis matches however soon began to absorb the workmen and in the end an indefatigable band of eight or so were left to tussle with the towering hill. Vagrant players and unemployed tennis teams occasionally supplemented them, but in the main they had a lonely row to hoe and perservered under adverse and disheartening circumstances. About half the work is done and for this result the Club is deeply grateful to the faithful few—E. Wright, H. Barnard, W. B. Quick, H. D. Skinner, A Brodie, Hoggard, Sturtevant and McDowall, who have devoted nearly every Saturday afternoon to toil on the "old clay patch."

The finances of the Club are in a healthy condition. At the beginning of the season £26 was received from the Building Fund and about half this amount was expended on tools and the hire of dray. The Clubs are indebted to Munt, Cottrell and Co., who gave the hire of the drays at a price that only paid the drivers. Before encroaching on its own funds the Club has still £12 to expend.

Mr Brook has, as usual given cheerful assistance in preparing afternoon tea and the Club owes him a debt of gratitude.

On Anniversary Day a College team journeyed to Otaki and defeated the local players by 9 sets to 4. The weather conditions were ideal and a good time was spent. A Junior College team on invitation, played the Pahautanui Club, at the township. The honors rested with Pahautanui who defeated our team without difficulty.

Details of various matches as follows : —
Ladies' Championship Singles. Not yet played off, may possibly eventuate Before the Spring.
Men's Championship Singles G. S. Prouse.
Ladies' Handicap Doubles Misses Van Staveren and Martin.
Men's Handicap Doubles G. G. Smith and D. Isaacs.

Analysis of Matches.

Matches Matches Sets Sets Games Games
Teams Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost
Shield 1 8 41 76 670 811
Cup 2 11 27 116 622 1048
Pennant A. 2 10 23 61 424 558
Pennant B. 2 10 19 65 312 577
Racquet A. 2 13 14 70 261 650
Racquet B. 2 12 23 61 289 554