AFTER 21 YEARS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 120, 16 November 1929, Page 25

AFTER 21 YEARS

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

WILDING AND ANDREWS IN SOUTH OF ENGLAND

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 20th Sept. In 1908 the late. A. F. Wilding won tho South of England men's singles title. After 21 years another New Zoalander, in the person of E. D, Andrews, has carried it off. Andrews, with his partner, N. Sharpe, also won tho men's doubles. In the first round of tho singles Andrews beat P. H. Sidney (C-2, 6-4), in the second he beat Captain G. R. Ashton (1-6, 6-2, 6-2), and in the third he beat E. C. Peters (6-2, 6-1). Commenting on the match with Peters "Tho Times" correspondent says that Andrews was at his best. He was never troubled by the varied speed of Peters's strokes, and his forehand drive across the court was most effective. Peters tried at times a shot lob down the middle of the court in the endeavour to get to tho net, but Andrews generally hit past him. In the fourth round tho New Zealander continued his victorious career and defeated G. B. O. Crole-Kees (6-1, 6-2) as easily as he had'beaten Peters. With his fine topped forehand and his fast-sliced backhand preparing the way (says the "Daily Telegraph"), he advanced to tho net with excellent judgment, and when there never let caution wait on desire. His volleys were crisp and decisive, and many of them wore invested with spin, which added to their guile. . - SEMI-FINALS. In the semi-final H. K. Lester and Andrews, both Cambridge Blues, were the two victors. Lester beat A. Brown (6-2, 6-4), and Andrews beat N. Sharpe (6-3, 6-2). The feature of the New Zealander's display (says Mr. A. Wallis Myers, writing to the "Daily Telegraph") was the happy way in which he selected his advances to the net, and the quick juid eager volleying which he pursued when he came in. Very few players can volley Sharpe with impunity, but Andrews mixed the sliced volley with tho- plain, and' this variation of pace seemed to deflect his opponent's aim. Moreover, when Sharpe came in himself it was to find lobs hoisted with deadly accuracy. If. Sharpe revealed his improvement overhead he was often surprised when Andrews produced a clean winner from ■ what was quite a good smash. DraugHts of tea after the Colonial fashion sustained tho New Zealander. It was a typical overseas victory against a British player (the third in sequence), whose skill had not been, adequately polished.recSntly by matches- in the best company. Making little impression on Lestor in the first set, Brown played extremely well in the second,- and deserved every game captured. One of these was from 40-0, and another from 40-15 against him. There were many long and: exciting rallies; never once did Brown renounce the chase; Lester had to thank his judicious ihixture of top drive and chop for a two-set victory. WELL-DESEBVED TRIUMPH. Writing of the final in which Andrews beat Lester (6-4, 3-6, 6-4) Mr, Hamilton Price, of the "Sunday Times," says: "Andrews was the winner, and well did he deserve to triumph, for his form throughout was distinctly good. In fact, one wished that the entry had been more in keeping with the tradition of this historic meeting, for then Andrews would have beent even more severely tested. As it was, ho came perilously near to defeat against H. K. Lester in a very bright final in which his opponent led by 4-1 in tho final set, but, just when victory was well within his grasp Lester slightly relaxed and Andrews braced, and a I sequence of five games fell to the overseas player. "The play never lacked variety, and not many opportunities of a visit to close quarters were missed. Andrews, if anything, had the better anticipa-! tion, and his backhand volleys were usually very certain and decisive. Most of Lester's ground play was delightfully free, but ho was prone to overdrive at times. Andrews worried Lester as he had worried all his other opponents in the earlier rounds by. making his service kick awkwardly when aimed to the backhand. Andrews, too, was fleet of foot, and his timing was beautifully clean. Overhead one noticed few -mistakes from Andrews, who stepped back to take the higheßt of Jobs in the' approved way." In the men's doubles Andrews and his' partner, N. Sharpe, beat J. D. Finlaison and Major O. D. May (6-0, 6-4) in the second round. They had a bye in the first. In the third round they beat W. Eadcliffe and W. A. Ingram (6-4, 6-4). In the semi-final they beat S. F. Hepburn and K. Miki (6-3, 8-10, 6-4), and in the final they beat H. K. Lester and E. C. Peters (3-6, 6-2, 10-8).