TEST TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19460, 6 November 1928, Page 13

TEST TENNIS.

NEW ZEALAND BEATEN.

SOME MEMORABLE CONTESTS.

(PEESS ASSOCIATION TZMQBAIC.)

AUCKLAND, November 5.

Vigorous tennis, played under perfect weather conditions, aroused intense enthusiasm in the large attendance at the concluding day's play in the tennis Test between Great Britain and New Zealand. The visitors' finished the Test winners by nine matches to three, but the New Zealanders' form was immensely improved. The courts and play were faster than on Saturday and the electrical tennis witnessed in the concluding two doubles matches will live in the New Zealand annals of the game. New Zealand won one singles match, N. E. C. Wilson beating E. Higgs in three sets, and one doubles match, Bartleet and Wilson winning from Higgs and Collins, in two straight advantage sets fought out point for point in thrilling play. Great Britain's best pair, Gregory and Austin, were extended to the utmost to defeat 01livier and D. G. France 4-6, C-2, 9-7. As in the other doubles game it produced tennis the like of which has seldom been seen in New Zealand. Ollivier, playing probably his last game as an amateur, gave one of the finest exhibitions of his career. It was a glorious farewell to the ranks of the amateurs. D. G. France played every bit as well as on Saturday, and went down to Collins, the Scottish champion, 4-6, 5-7, after a great battle. New Zealand emerged from the Test beaten, but by no means disgraced. The greatly improved play of the Dominion four on the second day indicated that their form a month or two later in the season would have considerably reduced the margin.

France, in being defeated by Collins, 6-4, 7-5, did better than could have been reasonably asked of him. He was playing backhand and forehand drives with amazing precision to within inches of the side-line to keep the Scotsman playing a backhand defensive. Collins' service, however, was troublesome. France frequently came in to the net to play the Scotsman at his own game, and gave smash for smash whenever there was anything loose overhead. Wilson began badly against Higgs, but quickly regained his form. The Englishman was again not at his best, netting frequently, and putting many otherwise excellently placed and powerfully driven volleys and drives just outside the line.

The Gregory-Bartleet match provided a fine, hard-hitting contest, in which the New Zealand captain played wonderfully well, although often passed by the Englishman's lightning backhand drives. Gregory remained the superior player, and won fairly easily. Wilson played brilliant tennis with Bartleet in the doubles against Higgs and Collins. Wilson's return of service was uniformly good. His brilliant interceptions and recoveries were largely instrumental in New Zealand's win. The Englishmen put up another great performance. The Austi.n-Ollivier singles demonstrated the Englishman's perfect control of all shots. Ollivier put up a sterling defence, but frankly was outclassed.

Tha galvanic tennis witnessed in the doubles match between Gregory and Austin and OlHvier and France will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. The redoubtable English pair were extended to the last ounce to win in a match illustrative of every one of the fine points of courtcraft and stroke production. Oilivier played a powerful game, which made noble amends for his showing on Saturday. The New Zealanders played their way through the first set. 6-4, by .superb tennis, amid tremendous enthusiasm. In the second set,: Gregory's terrific overhead smashes thrilled the onlookers. France at times lost his attack, and put up short lobs, which both Englishmen, but particularly Gregory, met with terrific pace. Tensely the crowd saw a titanic "struggle in the last set go to six all, then seven-six in favour of Great Britain. The New, Zealanders equalised and then dropped two games before the smashing onslaught of the Englishmen. Details of the scores are:— Singles. H. W. Austin beat G. Ollivier, 6-1, 6-2. J. C. Gregory beat E.;L. Bartleet, 6-2, 6-3. E. Higgs lost to N. R. 0- Wilson, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6. . I G. Collins beat D. G. France, 64, 7-5. Doubles. Gregory and Austin beat Ollivier and France, 4-6, 6-2, 9-7. Higgs and Collins lost to Bartleet and Wilson, 7-9, 6-8.