CLASSIC TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17973, 19 March 1930, Page 6

CLASSIC TENNIS.

AUSTRALIA v. WAIKATO. COr.llZ SPARKLING PLAY. THE VISITORS’ DEXTERITY. SUCCESS IN ALL MATCHES. The high-class tennis witnessed at the Rossirevor Street courts yesterday on the occasion of Ike visit of the Australian team will not be readily forgotten. It was a revelation to local followers of Mm game, and although the Waikato representatives were unable to win a match their showing against the big men from over the water can be regarded as highly creditable. In several of the matches the Australians were fully extended, hut their excellent form as the result of constant and strenuous play told in the end, for they always appeared to have something in reserve at. the finish. As is usual in such matches the doubles produced more spectacular play than the singles. Kalms was probably most impressive of the quartette, his incredibly rapid forehand drives and powerful service being the source of great wonderment. The Australian captain also varied his style noticeably, and frequently puzzled the local players with point-s-gathering short op high lobs. Teague proved equal to almost any emergency, and was probably the most resourceful of the visitors. Roth Donohoe and Sproule played I lie fast, hard game with understanding. Their stroke production was studied and controlled, and their volleying as destructive as that, of the other pair. Sproule, particularly, showed exceptional powers with unexpected returns on the full. Kalms v. Lauronson. Interesting and frequently brilliant play held the spectators spellbound in the match in which Kalms defeated Laurenson, 6—2, G —o. Laurenson on his service lost the first game by faulty line-finding. He picked up on the next game with some side-court drives and evened with the Australian. Putting on pace, Laurenson withstood a fine rally in the next, but Kalms had the advantage with a low net shot. The Australian won the next two games chiefly by varying his shots, and gained a lead to s—l5 —1 by powerful driving and accurate placements. Laurenson was kept- moving by fast backhand drives, but worked hard for the next game. At deuce Laurenson had the advantage, hut was outplayed by a fast shot he smashed out. The set went to Kalms, C —2.

A Lost Chance. In the next- set Laurenson effected some good placements and gained on a couple of the Australian’s errors. He lost the game when Kalms used a terrific, smash which lipped the net. Laurenson lost his chance of notching the next, game with the Australian trailing at 15—40, and the game hovered at deuce for a time. Kalms had the advantage with a low net lob, and after manoeuvring from one side to another, beat the doctor with a beautiful line volley, winning the game. Laurenson extended Kalms to deuce, but was again beaten by a short lob on the third game. The Australian was taken to deuce in the next on his own service, and Laurenson lost the advantage through another short lob. Kalms got the fourth game with a swift line volley. The Waikato player was playing splendidly against a master of tennis, but was showing the strain at the fifth game. Laurenson faulted at the net twice and the set went to Kalms after a fine give-ancl-take performance. Brough’s Game Fight. In a single set against C. Donohoe (Australia) G. Brough (’Hamilton) effected good returns against difficult placements, but was beaten by the Australian's aces. Brough secured the second game chiefly by forcing Donohoe to find the net. A long rally saw Brough meeting his opponent’s fast drives with perfect back-handers, the game going to the young Hamiltonian. Brough lost the next on his service. Donohoe obtained the lead 3—2 bybringing Brough up to the net and passing him. Keeping them close to the net, Brough recovered some errors in the sixth game, and brought the Australian to deuce. Donohoe got the game on the other’s fault. Brough appeared to be troubled by the Australian’s chop shots and often drove out at the side-line. The next game went to deuce, Brough just missing with a fine return to the base line. Brilliant Defence. In the first piece of network of the set Brough beat his man with a wellplaced cross-court volley, and was applauded. Prior to this the balls had travelled all the way from base-line drives. Brough was again applauded by catching Donohoe after another rally, and had the eighth game on his own service. Brough was unlucky with the following game when a forehand drive reached just outside the chalk, Donohoe, the server, standing at 30 —40. Play alternated to deuce, and Donohoe, with advantage and the set in his hands, smashed out. Brough defended brilliantly, but the Australian beat him for the odd points and look the set, 6—3. Visitors’ Superiority.

Brough and Gray had a tremendous uphill tight in the two sets with Donohoe and Sproule, which the latter won, 6 —l, 6 —3. Fast driving just over tiie net gradually wore down the Waikato men. This set was not striking, the visitors generally having it all their own way. The same could be said of the singles match in which Sims was defeated by Sproule, 6—l, G —2. The Hamiltonian showed good form at times, but was up against stubborn opposition and relentless defence. The day was concluded with an exhibition match between the Australians, in which Kalms and Teague won the first against Donohoc and Sproule, 6 —l, and lost the second, 3__G. Time prevented the staging of j the third set. The play was interest- j ing, and amusing at times, and proved j a fitting finale to a day of sparkling j tennis. j .Results were— ! Doubles. i F. E. Kalms and W. Teague (Aus-! tralia) heat A. W. Sims and Dr. .1. T I.aurenson (Waikato), 4 —6, 6—4,: 6—3. C. J. Donohoe and C. Sproule fAustralia) beat G. Brough and Dr. Gray (Waikato}, 6 —l, 6—3. (Continued in next column.)

Singles. Teague (Australia) beat Dr. Gray (Waikato), 6—3, 6 —l. Kalms (Australia) beat Laurenson (Waikato), 6—2, 6—o. Sproule (Australia) beat Sims (Waikato), 6 —l, 6 —2. Donohoe (Australia) beat Brough (Waikato), 6—3. BIG CROWD ATTENDS. STAND AND GATE TAKINGS. An exceptionally large crowd watched the tennis matches between the Australian and Waikato teams at Hie Rosstrevor Street Courts yesterday. The gate and stand takings totalled approximately £SO, a result ! which is regarded as satisfactory. After the matches, the Australian Players returned lo Auckland, where they have several engagements to fulfil before returning home. MASSEY CHALLENGE CUP. MERCER V. POKENO. The Massey .Challenge Cup was successfully defended by the Mercer Club against a challenge by the Pokeno Club, the match resulting in a win for Mercer by 11 matches to 3. Details follow, Mercer names first : Ladies’ Singles.—Mrs Laing lost to Mrs S. Woodcock. s—6';5 —6'; Miss Calvert beat Miss Leathern, 6—4. Men’s Singles.—M. M. Enting beat 0. Leathern, 9 —7; Hinton beat R. Woodcock, 9 —i., Ladies’ Doubles. —Mrs Laing and Miss Calvert lost to Mrs Woodcock and Miss Leathern, 3 —6; Mrs Wilson and Miss Lowlher beat Misses Woodcock and Maiden, 6—-i, Misses Power and Morey beat Airs tborne and Miss Harvey, 6—3. Men's Doubles. —Enting and Hinton beat CL Leathern and R. Woodcock, 9 i; Kennedy and Laing beat S. Woodcock and J. Leathern, 9—2; | Morey and Woods beat Webster and Morgan, 9 —o. I Combined Doubles. —Kennedy and | Miss Lowther beat S. Woodcock and | Miss Woodcock, 7 —t ; Laing and Mrs 1 Wilson beat J. Leathern and Miss | Maiden, 7—2; Morey and Miss Power j heat Webster and All’s Thorne. 7 i; i Woods and Aliss Morey lost to Alorrgan and .Miss Harvey, -I—-7.