NEW ZEALAND PLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1927, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND PLAY

VIEWS OF MR. F. PEACH

In the opinion of Mr. Frank Poach, captain o£ the New South Wales tennis team,. New Zealand has improved since tho last visit of the team, especially m singles play, although, in his mmd, sufficient attention is not paid to doubles. Harder and more accurate hitting is noticeable, but in doubles play tho server is left all too often to chase lobs over his head, making it impossible for him to concentrate on getting into tho net. The short drop shot, making tho opponent hit up to the player, is neglected, and hard hitting-in doubles is too much indlulgod in, while tho possibilities of the lob might be moro fully exploited, particularly in tho ■return service.

■Tho better pairs could crowd the net more, with advantage, as in doubles tho pair which could hold the net won. Smashing, which was a weakness when he was last in New Zealand, had greatly improved, he said, and Wilson, D. France, Knott, and Lainpe were particularly good overhead. Lampe was a much better player than ho was given credit for.

Mr. Peach holds that Ollivier is the best doubles player in New Zealand, being particularly effective when partnered by Wilson. Singles play is strong, and Andrews with more experience should develop into a champion. Next to Andrews he placed Noel Wilson, who is one of the few players able to take a ball on the rise.

Malfroy showed great promise for one so young, and provided he was not overworked in the next year or so, should go a long way. Sturt was also a very fine player, but his back hand was in need of improvement. Coaching >y older players should go a long way to remedy that defect. Seay was a real stylist, bu{ his back hand was also ,iri need of improvement. Don France and Bartleet were also- fine players.