THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 11, 1937
COLONY HARDCOURT TOURNAMENT
WILL BE WELL SUPPORTED
LEADING PLAYERS WHO MAY
BE PARTICIPATING
(By "ADREM”)
ALTHOUGH very few names have as yet been received by the United Services Recreation Club for their hardcourt tournament, there are still several days before entries definitely close, and, from enquiries I have made, there is every reason to believe that U.S.R.C. will have all the sup- port they deserve.
F. H. KWOK
GODDARD'S
Owing to the expense involved in construction, there is very little hardcourt tennis played in Hong Kong, with the result that Leagues and other competitions are governed to an abnormal degree by the weather.
THE SURFACE BRILLIANT THE ADVANTAGES OF THE HARDCOURT GAME ARE NUMEROUS. THE S BEING UNIFORM, A FAR MORE ACCURATE GAME CAN BE PLAYED, WITH OBVIOUS BENEFITS TO BEGINNERS AND EXPERTS ALIKE. IN THE CASE OF THE FORMER, THERE BOWLING IS NO CAUSE TO WORRY ABOUT AN UNTRUE BOUNCE THAT THE INDIFFERENT COURTS AS A RESULT, MORE ATTENTION TO BE FOUND IN MOST LOCAL CLUBS MAKE FOR. CAN BE PAID TO FOOTWORK, THE BASIS OF THIS, AND ALL OTHER BALL GAMES. THE FASTER GAME AND HIGHERBOUNCE ALSO ENSURE THAT THE EYE IS KEPT ON THE BALL
As regards the experts, they are able to concentrate on the general speeding up of their groundstrokes. Being quite cer- tain that the bounce will be ac- curate, they can take the ball on the rise, as exploited by all first- class players in the game to-day.
On the other hand, the hard court, especially in Hong Kong where the sun beats down so un- - mercifully in the Summer, is extra- ordinarily tiring to play on, and that combined with the expense, and the fact that most club grounds are used for games other than tennis. and it is impracticable to lay down hardcourts, has been the chief reason why more courts have not been laid out in the Colony.
INSUFFICIENT KEENINESS These difficulties, however, with
A. L. SULLIVAN
and J. J. Remedios, E F: Fincher and D. J. N. Anderson,
All 10 Wickets In Innings
TATE'S RETURN
London, To-day.
First class cricket which conclud- jed yesterday provided a wealth of
SINGLES ABSENTEES While so far most of the leading
in Colony have signified their tention of participating in both events, it will be noticed that interest, many fine feats being re-
Goddard's 10 wickets in an innings. W. C. Hung, runner-up in the Co-corded, chief among them being lony doubles championship with E.
and 16 in the match for Gloucester C. Fincher, will not be enter
against Worcester, Owen Smith's ing, while another notable absentee for 0 in 11 balls for Middlesex from the singles' is J. W. Leonard, in one period in Surrey's first in- who tells me that owing to a recent nings, and last but not least, the illness, he does not feel up to the resurrection of Maurice Tate by strenuous singles game. He will Sussex, following a complete col- very likely be partnering his League lapse of their attack in recent partner George Choa, in the dou- games. bles, however.
Middlesex, leading contenders for It will be interesting to see how championship honours, only just the grass-court champions fare un-managed to beat Surrey after star- der strange conditions. I shoulding defeat in the face. Surrey, who not be surprised to find that normal batted first, started off in promis recognised form will be badly up-ing fashion and at lunch on Satur- set. On the other hand, such play-day had hoisted 123 runs for the Owen was loss of only two wickets. ers as George Bodiker, who knocked out by Frank Kwok early Smith then found his best form and clined to the opinion that the real with most of the leading clubs in in the grass-court championships, polished off the innings, the re- reason why more clubs have not the Colony represented in the pre- will be in their element as they maining eight wickets yielding only bothered about hardcourts is that sent tournament, I foresee a great have played most of their tennis on 47 runs.
USEFUL STAND their members have not had the op- boom
Middlesex found this scare too portunities of playing on them and not so distant future. thus appreciating their advantages.
never big for them and fell short by 19 FULLY SUPPORTED Apart from the fact that Colony From enquiries made among vari-distinguished themselves hitherto runs on first innings. Set to score tennis players have been grousing ons leading local players, there in Colony tournaments, are, owing 228 runs for victory, they lost six for years at the lack of organised seems to be little doubt that US to their types of game, quite likely wickets for only 92 runs. J. H. Hu- open competitive play, I am quite RC. will meet with all they support to spring some surprises. certain that those who avail them-they deserve. In contrast to the Some very good tennis should be
attitude selves of this opportunity, have lackadaisical
usually seen and I am looking forward with their preliminary practice on the adopted by locals towards anything much interest to the first week in courts which the U.S.R.C. have so new, most players feel very grate next month when play will com- considerately placed at their dis-ful to the US.R.C. for giving them mence. ka posal, and at the worst, play only the opportunity of taking part in a one match in the tournament, will tournament, which coming towards
a little thought and application, will be, there will very likely be could all be surmounted if there initiated, a strong movement for were suficient keenness. I am in- the construction of hardcourts and
in
the
game
in
the
hardcourts.
be converted to the advantages and the end of the League season, finds pleasures of playing on these real-them all in excellent practice, and -ly excellent courts.
they intend to give their full sup- port.
FULL OF PRAISE
"
** SURPRISES NOT UNEXPECTED
Other players who have
man and Owen Smith then became associated, however, and the re- quired runs were knocked off. for the loss of only one more wicket-
Thanks to some typical bowling. by Verity, Yorkshire, chief rivals to Middlesex, had little difficulty in beating Warwickshire." Verity cap-
!
course of the match.
R.H.K. GOLF CLUB tured 14 wickets for 92 runs in the
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Sussex, following several crush- ing defeats, returned to form with a convincing win over Kent. Thanks of to fine contributions by John Lan-
This was rather borne out by re- I have been given to understand marks, passed by one -our that the following will be among leading tennis players. One who those entering for the tourna-matches played in the Royal Honggridge, James Parks and Maurice has taken part in numerous tournaments:-
SINGLES
The following are the results Kong Golf Club (Happy Valley) tour- nament
THIRD BOUND
Tate, they amassed the huge total of 552 in their first innings and this ments over a period dating back many years. After a practice. S. A. Rumfahn, H. D. Rumjahn, E. C. J. B. Mackie (6) and F. A. Redmond
spite gallant innings by Ashdown knock-up at the U.S.R.C. last week, Fincher, G. Bodiker, A V. Gosano, (3) w/o D. J. Valentine and A. V. Proved too much for Kent, who de
George Chos, M. A. Oliveira, A. E. P. Graves (scratched)... he came
way full of praise for the Guest, S. A. Gray, A. Crawford and FAWN. A Smalley (11) and W. S. and Ames, could only top it by 56 Hilber (9) beat D. L. Prophet (12) runs in two innings. Sussex secured joyable game he had just played. K. Kwok.
and FC Mycock (13) 1 up. doubt or exception"
Tate, who has been out of the H. D. and S. A Rumjahn, AVT. B. Low (13) and A. T. Braley the necessary runs without loss. I have just Remedios and Gonsalves, E. C. Fin (7) beat J. B. Richardson (8) and G.
game for some time, took 4 for 61 I have encher and G. Bodiker, L. Goldman and White (21) 1 up..
local ex-A. L. Sullivan, J. W. Leonard and I. J. Price (11) and W. T. Dyer (21) in Kent's first inings.
Tamworth (7), and F. A. M. George Choa, S. A. Gray and A. Craw best J. P. the con-
ford, G. Clarke and G. C. Burnett, H. Elliott (8) 2 and 1
SEMI-FINALS ® should have Chan and A. Chan, Lin Korea Lan and
ithout
layed
ared by
DOUBLES
GODDARD AGAIN. Goddard, sine his selection for
Wong Fok-nam, In Tak-chenk and J. B. Mackie and F. A Redmond beat England in the Second Test, has
been Wong
hiu-wing, A. V. and B. Gosano, W.-N. A. Smalley and W. S. Hither
F. P. Zimmern, HA LJ. Price and W. T.. Dyer beat T Rober
A Braley Barros and A. M. Rodrigues, L.A. Silva B. Low
going from strength to (Continued on Page 19)