LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21376, 19 January 1935, Page 23

LAWN TENNIS

WILDING SHIELD CANTERBURY PLAYS WELLINGTON CHALLENGERS WIN BOTH DOUBLES (PRESS ASSOCIATIOK TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 18. \ The first day of the Wilding Shield matches between Canterbury (challengers) against Wellington (defenders) resulted in three matches all. The day was very windy, making ac- | curate play impossible. Wellington held a three-to-one advantage in the singles, but Canterbury won both the doubles, and have a lead of one set on the day's play. The standard of play was not high. The best match of the day was when Noel Bedford beat T. Rhodes-Williams. Results (Wellington names firsti:— SINGLES D. G. France beat H. A. Barnett, 5-7, | 6-4. 0-4. N. Smith lost to C. Angas, 4-6, 4-6. R. McL. Ferkihs beat H. Dvmond, 6-2. 7-5. N. Bedford beat T. Rhodes-Williams, 0-6, 6-4, 10-3. DOUBLES France and Smith lost to Dymond and Rhodes-Williams. 6-4, 10-12, 4-6. Ferkins and Bedford lost to Angas and Barnett, 4-6, 5-7. NOTES ON THE PLAY 1 By Cross-Courtl WELLINGTON. January 18. A great recovery by T. RhodesWilliams and H. Dymond, who saved five match points in the second set of the doubles against D. G. France and N. Smith, enabled Canterbury to finish the first day of the Wilding Shield match on level terms with Wellington, after the defenders of the trophy had won three of the four singles. The Miramar centre courts presented a surface very similar to Wilding Park, but playing conditions were marred by a fierce northerly gale. Nevertheless, the defenders and challengers played first-class tennis, which was enjoyed by a small gallery. The defeat of Rhodes-Williams by N. Bedford, the brilliant Wellington colt, was the severest blow to the challengers' hopes, and was all the more surprising as Rhodes-Williams won the first set in hollow fashion. Bedford has a reputation for erratic. play, and fully lived up to it. In the opening set Rhodes-Williams was lulled into a false sense of security, and v/ben the Wellingtonian steadied down and eliminated errors entirely from his play, the match took on a different complexion. There were brilliant all-court rallies, but RhoriesWilliams's ground shots had not their former sting, and he did not get close enough to the net to make winners ot the volleys. Rhodes-Williams led 2-0 In the. j third set, but twice failed to increase it when leading well on service. Thereafter Bedford was ahead throughout the long set. He volleyed cxtremelv well, and passed his oppon- < ent with'cool precision. It was a fine . performance by this promising youngster. ! Fcrklns v. Dymond ! H. McLi. Ferkins. whose ball control and court covering ability are outstanding features of his same, was obviously more at home in the windy conditions than Dymond, but the Canterbury nan made a great fight for the second set Dymond made too many mistakes in ground strokes in the first set, but in the later stages was able to go to the net effectively behind good drives. Dvmond was within a point ot a t>-~ lead! but was not to. prevent the Wellington man equalising at a-a. Dymond wanted only two P.ointsfoi the set. but Ferkins. playing without, an error, went ahead to wm the match, 6 "one' s of the few matches that Canterbury could count on in advance as a certainty, C. Angas versus N. Smith, was more even than anticipated. Angas's net rushing tactics were fraught with risk under the existing conditions and the wind was responsible for many netted volleys. Smith showed himself a fine baseliner, with a men acing forehand drive hit very Hat. Contrary to reputation, he showed an inclination to attack at the net but was a good deal less successful there than Angas. Barnett Flays Well The splendid showing of H. A. Barnett against France in the last single of the day caused the hopes of Canterbury supporters to rise, but though Barnett took the first set and was within a point of a 4-2 lead in the second France gradually gained control and won an evenly-contested match. From the outset France concentrated on playing a sow angled ball to Burnett's forehand and followed these tactics undeviatingly. Hit match was played in a hurricane., ami the ball sometimes broke at rightangles after bouncing. Barnett employed a terrific slice on Ins backhand, and used a heavy ehoo on the forehand, but generally fell into error when Irving to attack from the latter France fought hard in long rallies for the net position, but found Barnett's returns difficult to volley. Barnett retrieved indefatigably. and in the circumstances his control of the lob was exceptional. The Wellington man's accurate stroking and shrewd generalship eventually gave him the match. The Double-; In the first doubles Bedford showed himself an even better doubles player than a singles, and won many brilliant volleying coups against Angas and , Barnett. His partner was the weakest of the four. Angas volleyed well, and was aided by fine defensive work by Barnett. The Canterbury pair had to retrieve a 2-4 deficit in the second set. With France and Smith a set in and leading love-40 at 8-7 in the second, the remaining doubles seemed as good as over. Rhodes-Williams was serving, and he and Dymond defended grimly to save the match dramatically. France and Smith had two more match points after deuce but when the second of these had been saved by Dymond luckily scoring a winner with a ball that hit the wood of his racket, caught the net cord, and landed dead on the side- j line, a complete change came over the match. The Canterbury men attacked strongly at the net, took the set at 1210, and went on to lead 5-3 and love--40 on France's service in the third. The Wellington pair saved in turn, but | Rhcdes-Wiliiams clinched the match with a love game on service. France ; was below form, but Smith played ! soundly. i i TENNIS BALLS FOR 2 - PAIR, j The demand for Dunlop First Grade ! Factory rejects at 2'- pair has been I tremendous! Except for superficial defects these balls are the equal of Dun- j lop Firs's. Gel a pair to-day from The j Tennis Shon. 127 Armagh street. —1 i j