LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 127, 27 February 1928, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

WELLINGTON DEFEAT CANTERj BURY i — MISS SPEIRS BEATS MISS j TRACY I ' ! I. A. SEAY DEFEATS D. G. | FRANCE I Wellington on Saturday, in the i annual inter-provincial lawn ’ tennis fixture, defeated a strong ) Canterbury team by 17 matches , to 7. The matches were played ? on tho Association Courts at j Miramar in fine weather, but ‘ with a fairly' strong southerly | wind blowing, which, however, t died down as the afternoon proI gressed. ! Canterbury were without the services j of G. Ollivier, who was stated to have • ricked his back, their team being 1. A. Seay, C. Angus, K, J. Walker, I). F. Glanville, F. AV. Patterson anti R. I Browning, Misses M. Spoils, M. Wake, | Mrs. Beale. Misses E. Partridge, M. • Andrew and E. Johnston. Wellington I were minus A. L. France and Mrs. AV. i J. .Melody, the team being D. G. Franco, 1 C. E. Malfroy, N. R. C. AVilson, G. | N. T. Goldie. J. McGill, A. E. Sandra], Miss M. Tracy, Mrs. R. P. ndams, Misses M. East, F. North, D. Howe, and Mrs. E. Penlington. Shortly alter mid-day both teams were entertained at luncheon by the AVellington Lawn Tennis Association. Immediately after the luncheon the AVilding Memorial Shield was presented tu the successful Canterbury team by Mr. G. N. Goldie, manager of the AA’ellington team. Mr. R. Browning, manager of the Canterbury team, received it on behalf of the Canterbury association DETAILED RESULTS Following are the detailed results of the twenty-four matches played, Canterbury players mentioned first in each instance :-r Men’s Singles. I. A. Seay beat D. G. France, 6 —o, 4—6, 6 —4. C. Angas lost to C. E. Malfroy, 4—6, o—6. K. J. Walker lost to N, K. C. Wilson, 4 —6, 4 —6. D. G. Glanville beat G. N. T. Goldie, 3—6, 6—2, 6—l. T. W. Patterson beat J. McGill, 2—6, 6—2, 6—2. R. Browning lost to A. E. Sandral, Ladies' Singles. Miss M. Speirs beat Miss M. Tracy, I 6—4, C —4. Miss M. Wake lost to Mrs. R. P. Adams, 7 —9, 2 —6. Mrs. M. Beale lost to Miss M. East, 6—2, 7—9, 3—6. Miss E. Partridge lost to Miss F. North, 1-6, 6-4, 8-10. Miss M. Andrew beat Miss D. Howe, 6—3, 6—4. Miss E. Johnston beat Mrs. Penlington, 5 —7, 6—2, 6 —3. Men’s Doubles. Walker and Angas lost to France and Malfroy, 3—6, 2-6. Seay and Glanville lost to Wilson and Goldie, 4 —6, 2 —6 Browning and Patterson lost to McGill and bandral, 2—6, 6 —l, I—6. Ladies’ Doubles. Misses Speirs and Partridge lost to Mrs, Adams and Miss Tracy, 2 —6, 6 —o, Misses AVake and Andrew Jost to Mrs. Penlington and Miss East, 3—6, 2 —6. Mrs. Beale and Miss Johnston lost to Misses North and Howe, 4 —6, I—6.1 —6. Mixed Doubles. Angas and Miss Speirs lost to Wilson ami Miss Tracy, li —3, 3 —6, 5—7. Seay and Miss Wake lost to Malfroy and Airs. Adams, 6—B, 4—6. Walkei and Miss Andrew lost to France and Miss North, 6 —l, I—6, 3—6. Glanville and Mrs. Beale beat Goldie and .Miss East, 6—3, I—6, 6—2. Patterson and Miss Partridge lost to McGill and Mrs. Penlington, 6—B, I—6. Browning and Miss Johnston lost to Sandral aud Miss Howe, 3 —6, 2 —6. PLAY DESCRIBED Men’s Singles. Seay had his revenge, oxer France for his defeat in tho Wellington provincial championship final, and in tlio Wellington Shield singles match. Stroking beautifully, and with tine placements deep to the corners, he had France travelling fast along the backline, and making some wonderful returns, only to find the next volleyed out of reach, as Seay took the net to finish off. France got only six points in the first sot, three in the first game, and one in each of the second, third, and sixth. The second set was sternly contested,. with Franco forcing the pace, and coming to tho net. only when he had Seay well out of couit. After 2 all, France led 4 —2, 5- 2. and 5—4. In tho third set, Franco pulled up from down 2 love to 2 all, and. was again even at 4 all. Thereafter, Seav took the last two games to love. Seay throughout was right on his game, and France played only as well as he was allowed. Seay got the corners consistently, his passing shots were excellent, and he was by no means deficient in volleying. Angas, by his hurry to take the net against Malfroy, who has passing shots among tue fiist in New Zealand, found Fim-ielf trailing I—4 in the first set. Vollevs and smashes he put into the I net with gieat regularity. Afterwards, while he still continued to come to the . net, Angas did so with more caution, ; usually following in only on deep drives that bad Malfroy on the defensive. He nulled up to 4 all, Malfroy netting some ' ’comparatively easy returns. The ninth game, Malfroy serving, went to four ; deuces before Malfroy won it, to lead s—l He then took the tenth game with tb.u loss of one point. Angas went right 1 out to win the second set, and stormed the net in season and out of season, j Consequently he did not get a game, 1 alt hong); three of them were stubbornly ’ contested deuce ones. Angas has a fine 1 all-round game, but he mars it by being • too impetuous. He too often beats linn- ■ self. Malfroy played confidently and ' coolly, placing and lobbing beautifully, j giving Angas the shots to beat himself. 1 Although Walker got four games in 1 each set against AVilson, the Canterbury < player could nut cope with AVilson's sev- ’ erity. Many of Walker’s points camo 1 from errors by AVilson in hitting at ! all times for the winner. Overhead on 1 shot balls, AVilson was deadly. Often, ' too. he would have AValker off the court, ' and then come to the net and finish off 1 with a sharply angled volley, or a smash. 1 AValker’s type of game, hard driving f from the backline, suits AA'ilson admir- ( ably. i Glanville was unable to deal with ■ Goldie's deep driving, followed by ad- f varices to the net in the first set. But : after that he had no difficulty with f tho Wellington player. He chased about , the court, making many brilliant recov- • cries, and went through Ihe next two j sets, allowing Goldie two games only j in the second, and one in the third ' set. Goldie fought it out to the end, f but found Glenville's experienced head ’ more than enough to cope with a game ! which was mainly one of hard driving. I McGill has no severe strokes, but he * endeavours to keep his opponent running 1 by placing to the corners, and bv re- ‘ sorting Io lobbing when the opponent ' comes in His tactics told against Pat. c ferson in the first set. Tn the second 1 and third sets, T’atferson adopted Ibc F same tactics, with tho difference that 1 bis driving was much harder than J McGill’s, and also bo camo to the net when the onnoHunity presented it- I self. He gave McGill no rest. In tho - 1 second sot McGill led 2 —l. Patterson ' took the next five games, and then I went on to win the first five of the 1 third set (that is. ten games on end). 1 He lost the. next two. but won the eighth for set and match. McGill docs not got quickly enough over the court, c and is not sfeadv onotich to maintain the rally so essential to his typo of game r if lie would win Patterson nlavs with a n rugged strength and determination S that makes him a hard man to beat. <

Browning is a left-hnnder with some severe strokes. Sandral is master of many strokes, and a great Australian experience. After two all in the first set Sandral took the next four games tor Hie set, and led 2-0, 4-1. in the second set. He was 40—30 ami vantage in for a 5—2 lead. Browning pulled up to lead 5—4 and 40—30 on his own service. Sandral evened to 5 all, but was down love 40 on his own service 'n the eleventh game. He won the next five points for game, and then captured Browning’s service for set and match. Both players hit freely throughout, and did not fear to take the net, ihe opponent often getting fine passing shots or making good lobs. Sandral dealt out severe kills to any short lobs, rarely missing them. Ladies’ Singles. The match between Miss Speirs and bliss 'fj acy was followed with great interest, and was in every sense worthy of it. bliss Tracy played a fine game, and was beaten by a better player, even though bliss Tracy was unlucky to lose important games after being 40 love or 40—15. Miss Tracy lacked the severity of bliss Speirs, and the two were about evenly matched in the matter of placing ability, initiative in taking the net, and in volleying, Miss Tracy was more sound overhead, but again sho lacked severity to put the ball away. Both showed great speed in going after balls placed to the other side of tjie court, aud both made fine recoveries, bliss Speirs was more deadly in her way of dealing with any short shots. Miss .Speirs, although she possesses a fine backhand, as also does bliss Tracy, preferred to run round whenever possible, and take the ball on the forehand. At no stage did Miss Tracy display that weakness. Neither player was at home with the other's service, both being well placed, although bliss Speirs carried a speed much greater Chan Miss Tracy’s, bliss Speirs hit hard all the time, and swung the balls from corner to corner with great confidence, but not always with tlie same accuracy. Miss Tracy was more accurate in her" placing and frequently, too, drove with beautiful length straight down the lino. Both paid great attention to the other’s backhand. There was then this difference. Miss Tracy on a backhand bombardment would go to the net, while Miss Speirs preferred to remain back. In going to the net Miss Tracy, too, often was passed clean by a beautiful shot from bliss Speirs crosscourt. The greatness of Miss Speirs wns shown in the second set when, with Miss Tracy leading 4 love, sho won the next six games for set and match. It was a

game in which tho loser was not disgraced, and the winner showed herself a great player. It showed also that against Miss Speirs placement without a certain severity is not enough. Had she been able to take advantage of her opportunities Miss Tracy would have won the second set 6—2, and she would have forced the first set to rlvantage Hut Miss Speirs fought hard to save those things and succeeded, and for tha* she deserves great credit. As has been so frequently stated, Mrs. Adams has a forehand drive that is unique in New Zealand, a sure point winner when it comes in. She used it right throughout her match with Miss Wake, a match characterised by hard hitting on the part of both. Unfortunately for Mrs. Adams her drive did not always clear the net. and as Miss AVake is both steady and severe, the first set was prolonged to 9—7 before Mrs. Adams won. Mrs. Adams led 2 —o, the second game on her service, when she hit four beautiful returns from the forehand corner cross-court for clean winners. That was tho only love game in the first set. From '2-all games went to G-all, with Mrs. Adams having the advantage of the odd game. Miss AVnke then led 7- —6, but Mrs. Adams took the next three games for the set. 9—7. The fifteenth game, Miss AVake serving, was one< of several deuces after the score was 15 —<40. The second set was never in doubt. Mrs. Adams got well on to her forehand driving, and with beautiful placements had Miss AVake running strongly and making errors. The match between Mrs. Beale and Miss East was something in the nature of a marathon, with but little difference between the two in standard, and style of play, except that Mrs. Beale went more frequently to the net than did Miss East. Both fought grimly, with many of the rallies long, and the ball well placed. It was Mrs. Beale’s net play, especially when Miss East was playing against the wind, that was Hie determining factor in Mrs. Beale winning the first set. The second set, won by Miss East at 9—7, wns noted principally for Miss East’s great steadiness from backcourt, and an occasional cross-court drive after Mrs. Beale had been drawn in to r short one. fu this set Mrs. Beale led 2-love. Miss East evened to -all and 3-all and 4all. Miss East then led 5—4, Mrs. Beale G—s, Miss East 7—6. After 7-al] Miss East took the next two games lor set. Towards the end both players fell into errors through tiredness. Tho rest did Miss East wonders and sho came back for the third set and ran into a -1 —1 lead, Mrs. Beale being unfortunate in too often catching the band of the net, the ball falling back. She was letting the ball fall too low before hitting. Miss East deserved her win for no other reason than her determination not to be beaten. Sho took no risks because site could not afford to do so, and maintained her position for back-court play admirably. Mixed with her stonewalling were intervals of hard bitting, while nearly always she strove to play tho sidelines. Miss Partridge and Miss North fought a long third set. In the first set Miss Partridge could make nothing of Miss North’s cut. She won the first game and lost the next six. winning only 10 points, eight of them being in two games. In the next two sets Miss Partridge waited for the cut and dealt with it much better, keeping the rally going until such time as she could go to the net. Miss North led 3—2 and Miss Partridge 5—3, 5—4, taking the set 6—4. In the third set Miss North led 3 —l, 4—3. Miss Partridge led 5-r4, Miss North went into the lead again at 6—5, 7—6, B—7. finally taking the set 10—8. Miss North had match point at B—7 and 40—30. Miss North concentrated on Miss Partridge’s backhand and then suddenly switching one across to the forehand corner. Both players came to the net a lot, Miss Partridge making mistakes from winning positions. Miss Andrew was right on top of her form, when slio beat Miss Howe, driving, both backhand and forehand, hard, accurately, and with placement. Although she made some effective smashes from short lobs, she netted quite a number. She sped over the court with great sneed after placed balls, and made brilliant crosscourt drives from the forehand corner off them. Miss Howe had no difficulty in dealing with Miss Andrew's shots, when she got her racket on to them, but she wns frequently much too slow in starting off the mark, after some of them, and she paid the penalty. Boti: players generally preserved a good length. Miss Howe came to the net only when sho was drawn there. In both sets she had chances to carry each of them further, but she could not take advantage of them. In the ninth game of tho first set, she was 40 love, and vantage in on Miss Andrew’s service. Tn the seventh game of the second set she was 40—30. to make the games 3—l. Miss Andrew <locs not belive in playing safe, she bits to win. Miss Johnston could not got used to Mrs. Penlington’s shots Io begin with. Tier task, too. was made more difficult bv reason of the fact that Mrs. Penlington would take the net after a deep drive, and from there she made many winning shots. Mrs. Penlington led 4—l and 5—2 Miss Johnston then found her game, and fought tn five nil, mid lost the next two games, getting only one point in each of them. From then on sho hit everything on her backhand hard. Mrs. Penlington was forced into errors, going off considerably, too, in her overhead work. She led 2—l in the second «-ot. mid lost the next five games. In the third set, after 2 nil. she trailed 2—5, won the eight game, and lost the ninth game fnr the match. Mrs. Penlington nlaved nearly always to Miss Johnston’s hackband, and look the net, but was rcpcntcdlv passed crosscourt with hard. fnsf. dinning backhand drives. Stm might have done belter had sho played more from bnokormrf. The Doubles.

AVellington did not lose a solitarv men » or ladies’ doubles match. Bofli Franco nnd Mnlfrov were riedit on their game against AValker and Angas. .and nvenwd their defeat in the Wilding Shield match.

Against Seay and Glanville, AA’ilson, who partnered Goldie, was right on top of his game, his volleying and smashing being of the highest order. He com pletely overwhelmed the opposition. McGill, with his steadiness, particularly in lobbing, and Sandral’s net play, which is front rank, had no difficulty with Browning aud Patterson, even though the Canterbury pair won the second set in hollow fashion. It proved but a temporary bad slump for AA’elInigton. The circumstances surrounding the win of Miss Tracy and Airs. Adams from Miss Speirs and bliss Partridge in the final ot the ladies’ doubles championship of Neu- Zealand at Christchurch, made their second meeting one of outstanding in. terfist. Again the Wellington pair proved their superiority, although they lost the second set, 6—o. Mrs. Adams was sending over stinging drives crosscourt from the backline, and Miss Tracy was doing yeoman service at the net. Miss Paitridgo was again erratic overhead, while in the first and third sets Miss Speirs netted many drives. One of the best performances of the day was Miss East's and Mrs. Penlington's decisive victory over Miss AA’ake and Miss Andrew, who, in the New Zealand championship, had match point over bliss Tracy and Mrs. Adams, taking them to a long third set. It must be stated that almost throughout Miss Andrew was worse than a passenger, as she was making nearly all the mistakes, both in driving and overhead. Mass AA’ake played hard to retrieve those mistakes, but Mrs. Penlington and Miss East played well together, the former smashing and volleying well. Miss East drove some hard shots, and was very steady from backcourt, although far from happy when at the net. I The match between Mrs. Beale and j Miss Johnston and Misses Howe and North was a good game of long rallies, fought mainly from backcourt. On one rally the ball was counted as having crossed the net 77 times, before Miss North put it out.. Tt was a fine rally of hard hitting, with all four ladies taking their turn. The whole match was one of hard hitting and good placements. Mixed Doubles. Wellington lost only one mixed doubles, that between Glanville and Mrs. Beale and Goldie and Miss East, and that ran to three sets. The match between Angas and Miss Speirs and AA’ilson and Miss Tracy was a hard fight, with all four players playing, at times, spectacular tennis. The overhead work of AA’ilson and his sharp-ly-angled volleying proved the decisive factor in a 7—5 third set. Angas had streaks of the erratic. Both Miss Speirs and bliss Tracy played well. In the third set Canterbury had a 4 —l, 5 —3 lead. AA’ilson then dominated the situation. Malfroy’s placements and Mrs. Adams’s cross-court drive were again much in evidence in their match against Seay and Miss Wake. Both the Canterbury pair were patchy, being forced into errors at critical stages. Tn the first set Canterbury led 4 —3, and 6 —5, and in the second set they led 4 —2. Neither France nor Miss North could get a grip of things in the first set of their match against AA’alker and Miss Andrew, who, combining well, drove, volleyed, and smashed their way through the set, 6—l. Then the AVellington pair camo to a better understanding and, combining and playing better, forced the Canterbury pair, Miss Andrew especially. into errors, and won without much "difficulty, Miss North making openings for France to volley or smash. Miss Andrew has a habit of playing a double too much as though it were a single. Glanville’s experience and tricky play, combined with Mies Beale’s steadiness, were too much for Goldie’s hitting, even though combined with Miss East’s great steadiness. Against Patterson and Miss Partridge, McGill's placements usually gave Mrs. Penlington an opportunity to earn the point with a smash. She played well, and the AVellington pair profited greatly by Miss Partridge’s errors it the net and overhead, bliss Partridge is not tho player sho was two or three seasen’s ago. Browning and Miss Johnston were no match for the net play of Sandral, while bliss Howe kept, the backline intact, occasionally herself taking a hand in volleying exchanges. LUNCHEON TO TEAMS AVILDING SHIELD HANDED OVER. An official luncheon was given the visiting players, and AVellington team in the pavilion at the Miramar grounds on Saturday. Mr. M. E. F. Airey, president of the AVellington Lawn Tennis Association, welcoming tho visitors, congratulated them on winning the Anthony AVilding Shield. The AVellington Association, ho hoped, would bo after it again next season. Mr. G. N. Goldie, vice-president of the association, congratulated Canterbury on their very fine win in the Anthony Wilding Shield matches. AVilding had been a man who had always gone upon the court fit, and had never let his country down. To play for the shield should be the object of all players in New Zealand, and they should take the court prepared to play tho game of their lives. The event was to the Dominion what the Davis Cup was to other countries, aud he considered that the shield matches should be taken over and run by the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. Canterbury and AVellington had mot many times on the tennis court. The first occasion was in the dim past, and always there had been a marvellous spirit of harmony and good fellowship between them. They were keen rivals, and played the game for the game’s sake. Canterbury had sent some very fine looms to AA’ellington. but lie thought the present side the strongest that had ever loft Christeliurch. They appreciated tho endeavour of Canterbury to send their best to them, and would try next year to send their best south, in turn. He wns natnrallv pleased at their win in the AVilding Shield match, said Mr. R. Browning, manager of the Canterbury team. They had fiied to get a strong team nway. because, in coming to Wellington, they had felt that they were meeting tho strongest province in Now Zealand. Thus the loams, both in the provincial match and the shield game, had boon as strong ns they could muster, and he wns inclined to agree with Air. Goldie that it was the strongest, that had over left Canterbury Also it in-’ eluded young players who. ho felt, would make a name for themselves.

AUSTRALIA v. FRANCE

HOME TEAM WIN THEIR FIRST TEST (Rec. Febniary 26, 5.5 p.m.) Melbourne, February 26. In the tennis singles J. Borotra (France) defeated G. L. Patterson (Victoria) 6—2, 9—7. Borotra’a agility coun-ter-balanced Patterson’s position p]ay. ( He returned Patterson’s service with ease, and at the net was unbeatable. In the mixed doubles J. B. Hawkes and Miss E. Boyd boat J. Brugnon (France) .and Miss Harper, 2-6, 6-2, 6—3. Hawkes played splendidly, and was deadly nt the net and in position play. Ho and Miss Boyd made a strong pair. In the. doubles Patterson and Mclnnes (A’ictoria) beat Borotra and Boiissus (France). 8-6, 8-6. 6—k It was a magnificent game, with Patterson at top form. . A’ictoria won tho Tost against Francs bv one game. This is tho I- renchnien s first defeat in Australia, in a Test match.

BOROTRA IMPRESSED BY AUSTRALIANS Melbourne, February 25. Borotra, in an interview, said that he had become so impressed with the play of the Australians that he would put his money on them to win in the Buropoan zone contests, and ho thought they might well be one of the contestants in the inter-zone finals.