DAVIS CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 112, 14 May 1935, Page 7

DAVIS CUP.

DOUBLES CONTEST.

New Zealanders Take Set from Crawford and Quist. AUSTRALIA WINS THE RUBBER (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 13. By annexing the doubles at Eastbourne this afternoon Australia has won the rubber in the Davis Cup contest against New Zealand. The, score was: — J. H. Crawford and A. K. Quist beat A. C. Stedman and C. E. Malfroy, o—3, 4—o, 6—l, 6—4. The singles on Saturday had resulted: —Crawford beat E. D. Andrews, g—4, g_4, 7—5;. V. B. McGrath beat Stedman, o—3, o—2, B—o.

In the remaining singles on Tuesday, which cannot affect the decision, Crawford plays Stedman, and McGratli meets Andrews. The weather was cold and dull, ami the attendance far below that of Saturday's. The Australians captured Malfroy V opening service, and their unanswerable smashing from the New Zealanders' uncertain lobs gave Australia a 4—U lead. Then Malfroy, who for the second time aced Crawford, won his service. Malfroy's neat cross-court backhand drive pave New Zealand the sixth game, but Quist's excellent volleying and smashing enabled Australia easily to take the set, o—3.

While the Australians were more aggressive in the second set, the New Zealanders defended stoutly. Stedman's driving improved, and his service became stronger. The games followed the service until 3 —3, then Crawford twice double-faulted, giving the New Zeiilanders a lead which Stedman's service increased to 6 —3. Australia won the ninth game on Quist's service, but Malfroy held his own serve and the New Zealanders deservedly won the set, C—4.

Crawford's bad patch continued into the third set, but Quist's fierce smashing, plus several impetuous errors by Stedman, and volleying lapses by Malfroy, gave the Australians the set, o—l. The New Zealanders were unable to hold net positions.

Unable to steer returns out of Quist's devastating reach, the New Zealanders were soon I—31 —3 behind in the fourth set. Then Malfroy captured his own service, and Quist missed two successive volleys, New Zealand equalising the games at 3—3. The call became 4 —3 in New Zealand's favour when Stedman's forehand drive down the line left Quist standing. Crawford decisively took his own service, and the Australians went ahead 5 —4 as the result of subtle volleys. Quist clinched the set, match and tie for Australia with a smash.

The Australian Press Association comments: "Quist was easily the best of the four players to-day, and rarely had a lapse from sustained, severe smashing and reliable, firm low volleying. Crawford was decidedly patchy. The New Zealanders' display in the first set was extremely poor. Afterwards they fought hard under the handicap of inability to establish themselves at the net, nor had they the capacity for decisive volleying when they got there. Both Stedman and Malfroy frequently broke down on easy drives, and were not sufficiently versatile to threaten the Australians."

STRONG POSITION. South Africans 279 Runs on Against Surrey. EIGHT WICKETS IN HAND. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON", May 13. The position at the end of the second day's play at the Oval, between South Africa and Surrey, is that the visiting side, with 279 runs, has still eight wickets in hand.

On Saturday South Africa made 307, the county losing one wicket for 42. To-day Surrey was dismissed for 200, giving the Africans a lead of 101 on the iirst innings, and in their second turn at the batting crease they ran up 178 for the loss of only two wickets. Good bowling, wicket-keeping and fielding subdued the Surrey batsmen. Fishlock, however, batted brightly and hit 11 fours. The' Siedle-Nourso partnership was again resourceful and enterprising, and defied many bowling changes. Scores:— SOUTH AFRICA.'

First innings 307 Second Innings. Wade, lbw, b Fender 33 Siedle, not out C.I Rowan, c Gover, b Gregory 31 NouYse, not out 48 Extra 1 Total for two wickets 178 SURREY.—First Innings. Saiidliam, c Tomlinson, b Langton 31 Squires, b Crisp 24 Gregory, st Cameron, l> Tomliuson . r >-'! Barling, e and b Langton 35 Holmes, b Dalton ° Fishlock, b Hell <>-' Watts, run out 4 Wellß, b Bell 1,; Fender, o Cameron, l> Crisp 2 Brooks, c Bell, i> Langton 2C Gover, not out 1 Extras 1Total 260 ■ Bowling: Langton took three wicket* for 44 rims, Hell two for 50, Crisp two for 78, Dalton one for 29, Tomlinson one for 53.

M.C.C. TEAM. VISIT TO N.Z. NEXT SUMMER. (Received 11.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The Australian Cricket Board of Con trol ha* agreed to the Marylelione cricket team touring Now Zealand in lO.'Jo-.'W. The team will play matches in Australia before it goes' to New Zealand. The New Zealand Cricket Council will receive 5 per cent of the profits.