NEW ZEALANDERS ON WET COURTS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 88, 13 April 1923, Page 3

NEW ZEALANDERS ON WET COURTS

KEEN AND PERSISTENT OPPONENTS. (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION.—COrTRISET.) SYDNEY, 12th April. Owing to continued rain the resumption of play in the tennis matches between the New Zealand and New South Wales tennis teams was delayed for a couple of hours. The courts were sloppy when a start, was made, several players discarding their shoes in order to obtain a better foothold. Even then it was practically impossible to move off the mark smartly or turn to chase returns. The New Zealanders appeared more at home on the wet courts, and from a scientific standpoint provided the best tennis, but they were unable to wrest the laurels from their keen and persistent opponents, who won thirteen rubbers against eight. Peacock's play was the feature of the series. Every shot was stamped with i the hall-mark of the artist. Ollivier, ' who is imperturbable in sunshine or rain, invariably found his length early, but at times lost points by erratic returns. Sims proved an outstanding player. The remainder of the team impressed critics by their all-round play and fine tern-" perament. -In the singles, Peacock beat Kirkpatrick, 6-0, 6-3, the former losing only three shots in the first five games. Ollivier beat Sieler, 6-2, 11-9. The loser fought hard in the twentieth gams, but the visitor succeeded in winning the set and match. Clemenger beat Sims, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Sims met his master in Clemenger, who relied chiefly on his services for victory. Sieler and Baker, in the doubles, beat j Peacock and Ollivier, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. The ! visitors had their opponents at' sea in the firßt set, superior court generalship enabling them to run the New South Wales men all over the slippery court, sieler moved about with cat-like agility in the second set and accomplished brilliant net play. Baker's form fluctuated till nearing the end, when he momentarily eclipsed the visiting veterans. Dive and Huthnance beat Peacock and Ollivier, 8-6, 6-3. Peacock excelled in overhead work. Ollivier exercised his usual judgment, but appeared listless at times. Dive was kept busy by the New Zealanders, especially as his partner is weak in back-hand strokes. In the second set the seventh game was love-40 in favour of the New Zealanders, | but Huthnance excelled himself with ! speedy services and returns, and won the game. Kivkpatrick and Clemenger beat Wallace and Eobson, 6-3, 6-4. The winners proved their superiority in volleying and net play. Peacock, aßked to explain the defeat, said: "We just lost, that is all. We have had a splendid time, notwithstanding the Orange experience. We regret that rain interrupted the later games." The team will sail for New Zealand on Friday.