LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 90, 11 January 1924, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

WELLINGTON V. NEW SOUTH WALES . THE VISITORS DEFEATED LOCAL TEAM’S GOOD RECOVERY Now South Wales, with one match in hand from the previous day’s play, wtere decisively defeated by Wellington yesterday to the tune of five matches to one. the series of matches resulting : —Wellington, 8 matches, 19 sets, 165 games; New South Wales. 5 matches, 14 sets, 154 games. Six matches were played yesterday instead of seven, the single between Poulton CN.S.W.), and D. France f Wellington) having to be “declared off” owing to the New South Welshman developing blood poisoning, necessitating his removal to the hospital. The day was one of brilliant sunshine. but was marred, as on the opening day, by a strong wind. The attendance was an improvement on the first day.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE L. France (Wellington) beat Reid (N.S.W.), 6—l, 6—2. Wheeler (Wellington) beat Pike (N.S.W.). 6—4, 6—4. White-Parsons (Wellington) beat Peach (N.S.W.), 2-6, 6—4, 7—5. L. and D. France (Wellington) beat Reid and Pike (N.S.W.), 6-2. 3—6, 6—3.

Wheeler and Barkman (Wellington) beat Peach and Goodman (N.S.W.), 6—2. 2 —6, 6—3. White-Parsons and Parker (Wellington) lost to Reid and Pike (N.S.W.), 6—4, 6—l.

THE SINGLES REID V. L. FRANCE. Reid (N.S.W.) and L. France (Wellington) commenced the play, but it was by no means thb same Reid that defeated D. France on the Wednesday . His aim was to take the not, and by volleying to the back line, or, driving deep, keep France on the defensive. France put his usual “work” on the balls, causing the visitor to net his returns (which he endeavoured to volley) with monotonous regularity. On the occasion Rleid clayed his aide line drive ho either went well out or netted. France ••'ommenced serving and won the game with the Joss of a point, and then, helped) bv two double faults, captured Reid’s service. The third game found Reid at the net. and a vollen deep to France’s backhand gave the Australian the game to 15. France took the'fourth game, after trailing 15-40 on Reid’s service, and then, taking advantage of Reid’s netted volleys, won the next three games and the set 6— l. Thb second set was a repetition of the first. France clayed from the back line, and profited from the mistakes of Reid, who continued to find the net with his vollevs. Each won his service to 2-all, the first three games going In deuce, and the fourth cue to 30. Franco then proceeded to take the next four games in a row, and the match, 6—l. 6 —2. PIKE V. WHEELER.

Tliis match resulted in long rallies, mainly from the back line, which were characterised by hard driving. Occasionally some excellent volleying was indulged in, in which department of the game the Australian proved himself the superior. In the first set the scores were equal at 3 games all. when Wheeler obtained a lead of 5 —3. Pike won the ninth game, but being unable to sustain the effort. lost the tenth and this set, 6 —4. Losing the first game of the second set. Pike pulled himself together, and led 3—l and 4 —2. But Wheeler was nothing daunted. He went on the even tenor of his way, chasing everything and making splendid recoveries, to < hear the score called 4-all. Nor did ho then let up, but playing with the same consistency and freedom of action took the next two games, ano the set 6—4, and the match.

H. WHITE-PARSONS' V. PEACH.

Much of the play in this game could not, by any stretch of imagination, be characterised as other than far below provincial standards. But, on the day, and having regard to the circumstances. the local player deserved his win. The first set saw Peach well on his game, and after being behind I—2, he outplayed White-Parsons and took the set without any difficulty,. 6—2. White-Parsons took the lead in the second set. 2—o, only to hear the score called 2-all. Pulling himself together. lio down the tide lines past Peach coming into the net, and led 5 —2. Peach won the next two games, and trailed 4 —5. But WhiteParsons showed lie hadl not lost his hold on things by taking the next game and the set 6—4. The local man added to his sense of triumph bv taking tho first game of tho third set. Peach served, drove, and smashed his way along, until he led 4—l. WhiteParsons was clearly outplayed. Then Peach lapsed into carelessness, and White-Parsons, grimly holding on, tiring fast, but neVer despairing, lurched heavily forward through game after game, until he led 5—4. Peach made some indications of recovery, and took the tenth game, to be even at 5all. but he lost th’e next two games and the match, which "White-Parsons won, 2—6, 6—4, 7 —5. Tho match wat remarkable for the number of double faults made by Peach.

THE DOUBLES REID AND PIKE V. L. AND D. FRANCE. Apart from the singles between Reid and L. France, the chief interest rested in tho doubles match Reid and Pike against L. and D. France, which the latter won 6 —2, 3—6, 6 —3. It was the best match of the day and noted for the sound volleying of all four close up to the net, and the manner in which opportunities were seized to put the ball through any weakness in the defence. The best exhibition came from L. France, who was particularly safe, and who scored many winning shots with drives down the side-line. Remarkable recoveries were frequently make, especially by the France brothers. Reid played better than in his single match, but the most dangerous man in the New South Wales team was Pike, who killed, unerringly, all lobs dropped short. Reid commenced serving and lost the game to love, but the scores were equal at 1 all. L. France losing his service to 30. Pike, serving with severity, forced his opponent into errors and Now South Wales led. 2—l. D. Franco’s start was none too happy as he was behind 0-30 and 15-40, but aided by his brother at the net and sharp volleying the game was won after four deuces and the scores were again equal nt 2 all. Two double faults by Reid in the fifth game and an out by Pike left the Australians at 0-40. They reached to 30-40, but lost the game through Reid netting, a volley. The local pair secured the sixth game

to love on L. France’s service, the seventh with the loss of two points, and the eighth and final game of the set (D. France serving) at the end of two deuces after they were down 15-40. The second set was a reversal, due largely to a falling off on the part of D. Franco, who commenced to “net” and “out” with greater frequency than is usually connected with him.’ The visitors won, without any trouble, the first four games, the third game, Pike serving, with two service aces, and the fourth on D. France's service after three deuces. Reid took the fifth game to 40-15. Aided by a double fault, and errors by Pike, the France brothers went to deuce, and asserting themselves in excellent volleying took the game at the end of 4 deuces. The local pair, L. France serving, again collapsed. and Reid and Pike led, s—l, with the loss of one point in the sixth game. The France brothers pulled themselves together, and the score was called 5—2 on Pike’s service, a love game, and they won the eighth with the loss of but one point. Reid made no mistake with his service in the ninth and final game of the set, winning it to 30, and the set, 6 —3. All serves were won in the third set to 3 all, the second, Reid serving, after 5 deuces, and the fourth on Pike’s service to love, the fifth, L. France serving, also to love, and the sixth on Reid’s service, with the loss of one point. D. France continued the progress and Wellington were leading 4— 3 as the result of another love game. Pike got to 40-15 in the eighth game, but deuce came on a double fault, and an out down the side-lines. Three times he was “vantage in,” but losing the next two points after the fourth deuce, service was broken through for the first time, and New South Wales trailed, 5—3. They were not allowed to recover as L. France settled the match by taking the ninth game to 15, and the set. 6 —3, and the match, 6—2, 3—6, 6—3. WHEELER AND PARKMAN V. PEACH AND GOODMAN. This match ran to three sets, resulting in a victory to Wellington, 6—2, 2 —6, 6—3. Wheeler and Barkman were playing with determination. Poach was making too many double faults, and many of his acutely angled vollevs were just missing the side lines. Goodman was driving hard for winners, finding the net or outing. Barkman, too, was driving hard, accurately, and with a good sense of direction, as well as frequently running to the back line for lobs and returning them over his head. Wheeler was serving better than on Wednesday, and also volleying and lobbing much better, while his drives were not a negligible quantity.

WHITE-PARSONS AND PARKER V. REID AND PIKE.

White-Parsons and Parker were no match for Reid , and Pike in a match that was played in the shadows. Parker was agaxn guilty of the mistake of taking balls that were going out. He frequently played a backhand crosscourt shot, which only just missed. All four players at times played excellent winning shots, driving well out of their opponents’ reach. The Wellington men made a fair showing in the first sot, but the second set was . a hollow victory for New South Wales, they winning the first four games before Parker won a game on his service. The next two games were won. by the visitors without difficulty, and the match ended in favour of New South. Wales, 6—4, 6 —l. DAVIS CUP CONTEST AUSTRALIAN CHALLENGE RECEIVED. (Rec. January 10, 8.25 p.m.) New York, January 10. _ Australia’s challenge for the Davis Cup has been received. It requests a longer interval between the final of the preliminary rounds and the challenge round. The United States Lawn Tennis Association officials have intimated that every consideration will be given to the request, but indicated.that the matter must be carefully examined, since it would involve interference with the schedule of national events and participation in the Olympic Games.—• Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.