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Tennis Club.

The enthusiasm displayed by members of the Club at the beginning was well sustained throughout the season, and the increasing attendances at the week-end and on week-nights gave an indication of the growing popularity of the sport.

Freshers and other members are asked, if they have any tennis difficulties whatever, or any suggestions for the furtherance of the Club's welfare, to communicate with the Secretary or other member of the Committee.

Saturday Afternoon Play.—The system inaugurated last year whereby each set on Saturday afternoons was made up by a committee man and lasted for twenty minutes proved so popular that it was re-introduced this season. No doubt this accounted for the large attendances of freshers and beginners of the game, and must undoubtedly result in tennis, in future years, being much stronger at College than would otherwise be the case.

Yankee Tournament.—On Freshers Day, that is the first Saturday of the new Session, a combined-doubles Yankee Tournament was held. Although none of the players stood out as Tildens or Lenglens, it was evident that, among the freshers, there are a number of promising juniors, who should develop into first-class players, and, we hope, tournament winners. After a number of exciting games the final was won by Miss R. Nolan and Mr. R. Blandford.

Club Championships.—It is regretted that none of the Club championships reached finality. Although the examination system in vogue last year, and the bad weather experienced before Christwas was responsible for a large number of postponements, it is quite evident that competitors are too prone to procrastinate. As a result the matches drag on, and the lively interest displayed at the beginning of the season by those players who have played their matches, dies away and the so-called championships become a farce.

It is realised that the Summer vacation and the consequent absence from Wellington of a number of the players requires the tournament to be played over a longer period than is required by other tennis clubs in Wellington, but still it is evident that the members, in frequently postponing their matches, are the main cause of trouble. To overcome these faults it is hoped, next season, to commence the championships much earlier than has been done previously. If this is done and then followed by the scratching of those players who do not play their matches within the specified time for each round, it is expected that the large majority of the games will be played before Christmas, leaving only the semi-finals and finals to be played in the following year.

Inter-Club Matches.—In these matches a fair amount of success has come our way.

In the Senior B grade, 'Varsity, after a number of exciting matches against more experienced opponents, beat Brougham Hill in the last challenge game of the season, thus winning the championship in this grade. We wish to congratulate the team on its win.

In the other grades, the teams did not fare so well. In the Junior grade our team was defeated in the one challenge game played, and, owing to various factors operating last year, it was not possible in the lower grades, to put a team in the field every Saturday, resulting in neither our Intermediate nor our Fourth grade team finishing very high up the championship ladder. However, at the beginning of this year a number of freshers played in these two grades and the results of the matches played indicated that 'Varsity tennis, so far as these grades were concerned, was not lower than the other city and suburban clubs. This augurs well both for the coming season and for the future of tennis in the College, and it is to be hoped that all those players who can possibly do so will indicate their willingness to represent the College in the Inter-Club matches in the next tennis season.

Personal.—Mr. Cam. Malfroy, until recently one of our members, was chosen as a Wellington Provincial Representative against the Australian touring team. He has recently gone to Cambridge and from recent advice it is learnt that he has gained his "full blue" in tennis. Further, he has won the singles and the doubles both in the Freshmens' Tournament and University Championships. We wish to congratulate him upon his successes, and, while it is unfortunate for the tennis in this College that we should have lost him, we wish him the best of luck in his new sphere, both in his scholastic and athletic careers.

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Several of our members did well in the Wellington Easter Tournament. While no championships were won, the finals were reached by Miss Briggs and Messrs. Turner and Blandford. It is encouraging to see our members participating in the various tournaments, as such play is conducive to a good tennis temperament and ultimately to better all-round tennis ability.

Club Ladder.—During the season considerable activity has been manifested on the men's ladder, and, as usual, increased interest was displayed just prior to Easter.

It is regretted, however, that the same cannot be said for the ladies' ladder. Each year the same is said of this branch of our activities; or we should call it an inactivity. Knowing how keen the ladies are on week days and on Saturday afternoons, it is difficult to understand why they do not take more opportunity of improving their tennis by match play, so facilitated by the existence of a ladder. It is to be hoped that the coming season will bring a radical improvement in this matter and that the freshers, who will undoubtedly desire to climb high on the ladder, will inculcate new tennis life to those who hold places on it but who do not play matches.

Inter-University Tournament.—Our tournament team was as follows:—

Ladies' Singles: Miss M. Carty and Miss M. Line.

Ladies' Doubles: Misses M. Carty and M. Line, Misses V. Dyer and K. Ziesler.

Mixed Doubles: Miss K. Ziesler and R. Long; Miss V. Dyer and W. Harris.

Men's Doubles: Messrs. W. Harris and G. Simpson, Messrs. J. Dive and P. Webb.

Men's Singles: Mr. R. Long and Mr. G. Simpson.

The team was selected fairly early this year but, it is considered, not early enough to provide for sufficient practice for the various doubles combinations. Thanks to the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association several grass courts at the Miramar grounds were made available for the team to practice on.

The matches at Auckland were decided on the Stanley Street courts which were exceptionally fast. Most of the games were played on Easter Saturday, which was very warm and muggy, adversely affecting the visiting players.

Although V.U.C. won few matches, considering the calibre of our opponents, the lack of opportunities for adequate grass court practice and the fact that all their games were lost after very even contests, it is considered that the team did exceptionally well. Miss M. Line is to be congratulated on her splendid display against Miss Robertson, A.U.C., in the Ladies' Singles, and also with Miss Carty on their excellent showing in the Ladies' Doubles which they were unlucky to lose in the semi-final. R. Long and Miss Ziesler did well to reach the semi-final of the Combined Doubles, being defeated 6—4, 6—4 by the winners of this event.

The following are detailed results:—

Men's Singles: R. Long (V.U.C.) v. England (C.U.C.). Lost 6—4, 6—4. Much good play spoiled by inaccurate driving. The V.U.C. player lost to a steadier opponent.

G. Simpson v. Barrer (C.U.C.). Lost 6—4, 6—1. A long-drawn-out struggle—restrained tennis—a game of placement.

Men's Doubles: W. Harris and G. Simpson (V.U.C.) v. Dart and Beatson (C.U.C.). Lost 3—6, 6—4, 6—1. A very even game which the V.U.C. players lost, after having a comfortable lead in the second set, through not keeping up their initial pressure.

J. Dive and P. Webb (V.U.C.) v. England and Adkin (C.U.C.). Lost 6—2, 6—2. A hard driving game with good combination and net play by the C.U.C. players. The V.U.C. men did not settle down, and lost due to general weak overhead work.

Ladies' Singles: Miss M. Carty (V.U.C.) v. Miss Taylor (A.U.C.). Lost 5—6, 6—2. 6—2. The V.U.C. player did well to take first set after being 2—5 down. She did not keep up pressure and lost in third set after an even game.

Miss M. Line (V.U.C.) v. Miss Robertson (A.U.C.). Lost 5—6, 6—3, 6—4. An interesting and hard-fought struggle, characterised by excellent defensive returns by the V.U.C. player, alternated with nice forcing shots. The A.U.C. player played a steady, hard-driving game.

Ladies' Doubles: Misses Line and Carty (V.U.C.) v. Misses Seaville and Howell (O.U.C.). Won 6—3, 5—6, 7—5. Misses Whitelaw and Taylor (A.U.C.), lost 6—5, 6—5. Semi-final. In the semi-final the V.U.C. players played very well, especially Miss Line whose steadiness and lobbing when necessary, were outstanding. Both the V.U.C. players drove well from the back line. Lost to a combination which were better in overhead work and net play.

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Misses V. Dyer and K. Ziesler (V.U.C.) v. Misses Scott and Ballantyne (O.U.C.). Lost 6—5, 5—6, 6—2 after a very even and very exciting contest in which both sides played good tennis.

Combined Doubles: Miss Dyer and Harris (V.U.C.) v. Miss Ballantyne and Stall-worthy (O.U.C.). Lost 6—1. 4—6, 6—3 after a very even contest with good tennis.

Miss K. Zeisler and Long (V.U.C.) v. Miss Howell and Clark (O.U.C.). Won 0—6, 6—3, 10—8. After losing the first set 6—0 the V.U.C. players steadied down. Miss Ziesler did much steady returning, while R. Long did well at net. The third set, which was a long one, was characterised by the V.U.C. players being on the offensive and their opponents making excellent recoveries.

v. Miss Whitelaw and McDonald (A.U.C.). Lost 6—4, 6—4 after an even came on a slippery court.

Otaki Match.—On November 30th, a team from College visited Otaki to play our annual match with the Otaki Club. This season we were opposed by a combined team from the Otaki Club and the Otaki Maori College. Early in the afternoon rain stopped play when the result of those matches decided indicated a draw. The team was later entertained at the Maori College and altogether spent a very enjoyable day. No return match was played, but it is hoped, this season, to arrange such a match to be played on the College courts.

New Players.—As mentioned previously there are attending 'Varsity several freshers of considerable ability. Prominent among the ladies is Miss A. Pragnell, and among the men, Rousell, McCarthy, Carstens, Blandford. It is hoped that all students who are tennis players will willingly play for the College teams in the inter-club matches, and, in addition, take part in the management of the Club, not leaving the future of Victoria's tennis in the hands of a few enthusiasts.

Blues.—The following "Blues" have been awarded by the Blues Committee for the 1929-30 tennis season. Misses M. Line, M. Carty, V. Dyer, K. Zeisler, Messrs. E. Long, W. Harris, G. Simpson. These members are to be congratulated on attaining the standard required for the award of a "Blue."

General Standard of Play.—It has been realised for some time that the general standard of play at 'Varsity is not so high as it should be. Considering the enthusiasm displayed by members, and to the fact that each year a number of promising junior players come to College, the only reason that can be assigned for this low standard is that we have defects in our playing area. This has been realised for some time and several schemes are at present under consideration for raising funds for making necessary alterations to the courts and their appurtenances, e.g., the erection of a sighting screen and the levelling of the courts. An appeal is made to all member of the Club who have be its future welfare at heart, to take in active interest in the Club, even if such interest may entail some small personal sacrifice. Attend the Club's Annual Meeting and back up whole-heartedly any scheme which may be brought forward for furthering the Tennis Club's aims and hence the social life of the University College.