AUSTRALIANS WIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 304, 26 December 1933, Page 11

AUSTRALIANS WIN.

WOMEN AT TENNIS. AUCKLAND FAILS TO WIN SET. SPECTACULAR VISITORS. With keen interest the tennis enthusiasts in Auckland looked forward on Saturday to seeing another team of Australian women tennis players meet an Auckland side at Stanley Street. The Australians came with a big reputation, and those who saw their sparkling play were sure that they lived up to it. The courts were fast and in good order, and the stands were fairly well filled. Misa Valkenburg v. Miss Ramsay. Pride of place on No. 1 court when the matches opened was given to Miss U. Valkenburg (Australia) and Miss J. Ramsay (Auckland). Miss Valkenburg soon ran up a big lead in the first set, her easy, graceful style and her occasional excursions to the net, when she volleyed beautifully, delighting the spectators. Chop-stroke tactics used by the Aucklamler were of no avail against the splendid all-court play of the Australian, who took the flrst set at o—2. Miss Valkenburg played a backhand shot that carried surprising force and accuracy, nnd which the Aucklander found unplayable. Long, raking drives down either sideline by Miss Valkenburg troubled Miss Ramsay at the opening of the second set, and as the game wore on Miss Valkenburg was hitting with more and more force. The Auckland player fought for every stroke, but she was generally outplayed and outmanoeuvred by the subtle play of the Australian. Miss Ramsay made a praiseworthy effort to retrieve, but the Australian carried too many guns and ran out a winner, o—2, o—2.0 —2. Mrs. Napier v. Miss Dingle. Miss Dingle's fine sweeping serve had much to do with her lead against Mrs. Napier in the flrst set, which ended o—2 in Miss Dingle's favour. Mrs. Napier put up-a great fight and got in <omc brilliant strokes, but was generally outclassed by Miss Dingle, who was playing an easy, accurate game. In the second set Miss Dingle did not lose a game. Only in the fourth game did Mrs. Napier come near to getting a game; however, after a couple of advantages she lost to the brilliant Atistralian, o—o.0 —0. Miss Hall v. Miss Newton. Evenly matched for the firet six games Miss Hall (Australia) drew ahead of Miss Newton (Auckland), winning the fourth, fifth and eixth games running, to give her the first set at o—3. Although only of slight build, the Australian player got in some smashing drives, her forehand being particularly deadly. Her extraordinary serve, with the momentary hesitation halfway through the stroke, was none the less effective. An occasional forehand drive which raised the chalk on the sideline won for Miss Newton applause, but the general all-round play of the New South Wales girl wore down the Aucklander and Miss Hall won comfortably, o—3, β-l. Miss Bickerton v. Miss Macfarlane. A punched backhand shot that clipped the sidelines won Miss Bickerton (Australia) many points against Miss Marjorie Mncfarlane (Auckland). The mutch produced some brilliant shots by both players, the Aucklander winning applause for a telling forehand crosscourt drive, and the Australian for shrewd volleying. Misa Maefarlane

fought hard, especially in the second set, when she took the lead and held it until 4—3 was called. After that Miss Bickerton. produced a flash of brilliant form, and with clever court craft she gradually forged ahead to win the set and match, 6 — l, o— 4. The Doubles. Splendid team work gave Misses Valkenburg and Dingle (Australia) a walk-over victory against Mrs. Napier and Miss Eamsay (Auckland). Only one gam© was won by the local pair in the! first set, the consistent play of Miss Valkenburg and Miss Dingle" taking the set without much difficulty. The Australian pair raced on to easy victory in the second set. The Australians won (i—l—o—o. Bright close-up play by Misses Hall and Bickerton (Australia) won acclamation' from the galleries when thej' met Miss Marjorio Macfarlane and Miss Newton in the final match of the day. Now and again the Auckland pair brought off unplayable shots, but these were too few and far between, and, as had been the case in most matches, the general consistency of the Australians once again enrried them to victory. An exhibition of delightful tennis was given by the Australian team at the end of the contest, Misses Hall and Bickerton winning from Misses Valkenburg and Dingle, 7 —5. New South Wales won the contest by six matches to nil. Auckland won 2*o games to the visitors' 72, but did not win a fiet in the four singles and two doubles that were played. Results:— Singles. Miss Bickerton (Australia) beat Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland, o—l,0 —1, o—4. Miss Valkenburg (Australia) beat Miss Eamsay (Auckland), o—2, o—2. Miss Dingle (Australia) beat Mrs. Napier (Auckland), o—2, o—o. Miss Hall (Australia) beat Miss Newton (Auckland), C—3, o—l. Doubles. Misses Valkenburg and Dingle (Australia) beat Mrs. Napier and Miss Ramsay (Auckland), o—l,0 —1, o—o. Misses Bickerton and Hall (Australia) beat Misses Macfarlane and Newtou (Auckland), o—o, o— 4. Exhibition Match. Misses Hall and Bickerton beat Misses .Valkenburg and Dingle, .7 —5.