COMMENTS ON THE FLAY.

Press, Volume XIIX, Issue 14553, 2 January 1913, Page 9

COMMENTS ON THE FLAY.

I (SPECTAI. TO "tITE PRESS.") HASTINGS, January 1. As was antlcipito-1 Parke has secured tie singlo championship of Australasia —'probably the most important championship he Tias yet won. Although j he gained the coveted title by only the narrow margin of 3 sets to 2—the last set being 7-o—l could not help feeling, while watching tho contest, that* ho could have brought it to a close at an earlier stage than he actually did. i j Parke apparently requires determined i opposition to arouse his lighting j spirit, for he certainly plays his best ! game when his opponent is in the lead, and not only that, he makes his most killing shots off balls that he has to sprint for. lam to-day confirmed in my impression that the ball ho is .most liable to miss is a soft hop just 'over the net-. Thero is no doubt that '« Beamish made a line effort. His fast, well-placed service was well maintained to tho finish of tho match, and assistod him in notching many an ace, and knowing that ho was no match for the Irishman at the base nue game, ho generally went in when successful with his first service, and at the net he brought off many beautiful I low volleys, as well as somo killing | smashes. Parke, however, lias a | wonderful knack of getting after those j low volleys and returning them across court, or* down the side lines, and one never knows how a rally is going to end. Beamish plays with such easy grace that one scarcely realises huv clever somo of his strokos aro, until in tho- rebound tho ball goes over tho wire-netting into tho next paddock. Most of us in New Zealand had expected to sco somo exceptionally fierce hitting from Parke, but his drives aro very little harder than Swanston's, for instance, while at the critical stage of a game they are oven quieter, but ho maintains an almost perfect length and keeps tho rally going until ho gradually works his opponent out of position, and at once takes advantage of tho opening. When in tho load ho takes greater risks and frequently scores off tho other man's service out--ri"*ht and of courso ho sometimes drives the ball out of tho court or into tho net. People who travelled to Hastings in tho expectation of seeing something sensational or spectacular, such as was displayed in tho Davis Cup contest between Brookes and McLoughlm. must have been disappointed. What they i did sco was probably even better from ! tho educational point of view—a good, j scientific exposition of the game. Tho i only real regret expressed is that I.Brookes was unable to bo present to !do battlo for Australia. 1 still boI lievo he is the greatest player we havo I seen in New Zealand. I The finals of tho doubles championi ship ended in a somewhat easy victory j tor Dixon and Parke. Dixon, on protent form, is by far the strongest double player of the four Britishers. Even in tho singlo game his favourite position is just inside the service line. Then it is by no means a difficult matter for a top 'notcher to get past him, but in the doubles it is like hitting up against a brick -wall. Beamish and Lowe today tried overv artifice. When they placed the bail at his toes ho seldom failed to Jiaif volley it back, and a favourite place of his was down tho centre line, right between his* opponents. Until to-day Dixon's play has boon -disappointing, but in the doubles to-day he played a lovely game. Parke, too, played, all-round, vigorous, tennis, considering tho long set-to ho had just come through. Lowe played tho stronger game for the losers. His action is a little stiff and ho is not strong overhead, but ho sends down a rattling good straightforward service, and he is very sure on tho low volleys. Beamish appeared somewhat weary after his battle with Parke, and his shots lacked much of their usual sting. Thero was ' very littlo exciting play during tho j match, and absolutely no hard smash- I ing from tho back of the court such as wo havo bwn accustomed to see from I Peacock, Fisher, Cox, Parker, and j other New Zealand players.