TENNIS IN AUSTRALIA.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1904, Page 2

TENNIS IN AUSTRALIA.

THE NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIONS. MATCH AGAIirrT NEW SOUTE WAJ.n. 1 CRITICISM Or THE PLAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, JBth September. Tho much talked of mivtch between Now South Wales and Now Zealand has been decided, nnd tho latter boa bucceeded in snatching victory by tho narrow margin of 11 matches to 10. Tho wholo mutch was evenly contested to tho last, tho score being 10 matches each and ono more to bo played. The New Zealand men deserved their win, as they worked, hard, and went to considerable trouble to get into good con'ditidn. THE- AUSTRALIANS' STYLE. ' Tho visitors arrived in Sydney determined to die hnrd, but hardly hoping to win, as tho Australians had a reputation for lawn tennis second only to their cricket fame. New Sou£h Wales put its best team into the field, nnd I must say that the New Zealanders wero disappointed nt their performance. They aro certainly as good but no better than the Now Zealand men. In singles we aro better than they, but in doubles they havo tho advantage. A fair summary of the New South Wales team's play would be : very good at low volleys near the net, but not deadly enough on soft stuff, playing a safe rather than a brilliant game. Their smashing is safe, but not ncrrly as hard as tho New Zealnndcrs'. Off the ground they are «afo nnd para well, but winning shots nre rare. The serves (except Goden's) aro weak. New Zealand commenced tho second day's play with an advantage- of five matches to two, and started off in a very hopeful frame of mind. At tho luncheon adjournment tho scores were — New Zealand, 6 matches ; . New South Wales, 6 matches. From thnt on to tho finish' tho scores wero neck and neck. PARKER'S BRILLIANT PLAY. Parker covered himself with glory by beating the two New South Wales crack men — lUco nnd Sharp. Ho wns playing in ■ tip-top form, and won both matches comfortably. Against both men he won two sets straight, benting Rice, 6—2, 7—5, and Sharp 6-^-2, f> — 2. Rico played a plucky game, and stuck to his man right up to tho finish. Parker's forehand drives woro magnificent, and his backhand shots, though not so severe, wore beautifully timed and placed. The New Zealander, developed «i new shot as far as ho in concerned by running up to the net on a good length ball ana volleying vith good effect. His screw berves seemed to worry both of his opnononts considerably. Competent judges hero say that Pjrrker played tho finest game seen in Aimtrnlia. Tho match against Sharp wns disappointing, Parker outclassing his man, and benting him cosily. Sharp showed very littlo Drilhancy, but played a good dofenoivo game. Ho passed through a severe ordeal during the two sets, Parker's placing being very fine. Peacock played two singles. Against Sharp ho scored tho first set, 6—4,6 — 4, playing up to form. Then he went off, and Snnrp secured tho next two sets. In the first sot Peacock played a dashing and brilliant game, but seemed unablo to keep it up. Rice beat him entity, 6—2, 6—o.6 — 0. Cox wm vory much "off," and played without confidence. After his fine diaploy An Friday he should havo had no difficulty in beating WVight, but the expected did not come off, nnd Wright won, <> — 4, 6—2.6 — 2. Luishley played twb singles, and was right up to form, his driving being very effective He beat Doust comfortably, 7-5, 6-3. AN EXCITING MATCH. The most exciting match of the day wns between Laishley and Wright. This was tho hut match to bo played, and was nb»o the deciding match of the contest, tho scores at that time being, 10 matches oach. Laishley won the first set, 11 — 9 after a groat struggle. The second set fell to' New South Wales, 5—7,5 — 7, amidst groat excitement nnd nppjftuse. Tho third set, which decided tho contest, started badly for Now Zealand, Wright scoring 4 games to ]. Tho Now Zealand player's superior condition here asserted itaelf, and he went right out, winning the set, 6—4, and thus socwrhig the victory for New Zealand. Wright played a good and safe game, ajid was volleying very woll when he gob to tho net. Laishley used his forehand drive for all it M-as worth, and hud his opponent running from sine to eide until ho was fairly exhausted. •Swanston was playing in good form, and his stylo was much udmired. Ho has » very pleasant wny (for his side) of coming in at the finish after losing tho first set. Ho beat Gnden, 2—6, 7—5,7 — 5, 6—4. liv tho last two sets h« played a fine safe uphill game, mid snatched cmothe'r match for New Zea-lo-nd. ' Goro has not struck form so far, and lost hia two singles to-day. He made a good struggle against Gnden in the second set, but could not win. Tho scores wer«— Gore v. Gnden, 3—6, 3—6. Gore v. Pockloy, I—6, 4—6.4 — 6. PLAY IN THE DOUBLES. In tho second day's play Now Zealand did not come off in tho doubles, only winning ono out of four matches. Parker and Peacock broke up unaccountably, against Wright mid Sharp, after winning tho first sot, 6—l.6 — 1. They were beaten in the following two sots, 3-6. o—6. Cox nnd Swanston did not play so woll together as previously, Cox not showing such good form. Swanston played a sound game, iutt wns not supported na well ns usual by his partner. Rico nnd Gaden beat this pair, 6—4, 2—6, B—lo. Doust and Pockley also beat thenf, B—lo,8 — 10, 3—6. , Laishley nnd Gore won tho only double of tho day, beating Doust and Pockley, 4—6, 6-^3, 6-4.