LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

By "Drive" INTER-CLUB MATCHES

SENIORS IN ACTION

WOMEN TRIED OUT

The interclub matches, which began at Miramar last Saturday in perfect weather, showed that there will be some interesting contests later in the season when the bigger names are drawn against one another, a state of affairs which the Match Committee purposely avoided for opening day. There were mo thrills on the first day, the only events of front rank significance being the meeting of D. G. France with B. A. Eoussell-and of N. B, C. Wilson with E. ML. Ferkins. Both France and Wilson are, of course, much better players than their opponents of the moment, and AVilson in particular showed fine form, stroking with care and accuracy. Wilson seems to have acquired a new technique this season and to be playing with maximum concentration. If he holds to it, this should be a successful year for him. Ferkins had no chance against the powerful net attack of the past New Zealand doubles champion, and though he fought hard was simply outplayed.

D. G. France found Koussell no easy proposition, however. France is not in such good form as Wilson; he has not had the intensive practice of the other player, and Eoussell, though still a trifle out of condition, made him work hard for a win. In the double between Eoussell-Beid and the France brothers, tho young Wellington player was very useful, and his severe overhead was a major reason for the fact that the Wellington pair took the second set.

Less Good,

The drop in the quality of the Brougham Hill team after the first two players was strikingly shown on Saturday when the B team entered by the club was heavily defeated by Newtown, though the Newtown side was not at full strength. There are some useful men in this B team, however, notably C. Wilkinson, who will bear watching. Another interesting B team is in the competition, entered by Thorndon, and will be seen in action shortly. 10 includes some very useful players, and as it may hold two players of the calibre of C. Watt and N. Davys, it should give a good account of itself. For the most part, Saturday's play was merely of average senior stamp. It is, of coui^e, too early for brilliance, though A. B. Sandral seemed as tricky and clever as ever at the net, and also showed signs of recent practice.

Ladies' Trials.

The ladies provided the star events of the day, for the first series of trial games for the Wellington ranking list were staged. There were some notable names amongst those in action, Mrs. H. M. Dykes, present champion in singles and doubles, Miss D. Nicholls, and Mrs. W. J. Melody, past New Zealand champions, all being on the court at the one time. Mrs. Dykes was matched with Miss F. North, and had little difficulty in defeating her, while Miss Nicholls was drawn against Miss M. East and also had an easy win. Mrs. W. J. Melody showed that she has retained her form by a good victory over Miss M. Williams, one of the most careful players, and whose game is calculated to break the confidence of all tut the soundest hitters. The star of the day was Mrs. Dykes, who was making her first appearance in match play at Miramar, and who showed brilliance in every department. Mrs. Dykes is an admirable model for the local girls, for she has one of the most beautifully free_ of games, with a long, easy service action, a powerful delivery reinforced by proper transference of weight, and is able to follow her service ball to the net. Her smash is powerful and well placed, and a sharp contrast to the overhead work of other women in the front rank here, and her ground strokes are well stroked and often deadly. At the net, her work is crisp and clean, and she can dart in on a shot placed near her and angle the ball for a winner. This swift movement, of course, is something which cannot be imitated, and her great asset of lightness of foot is just great good luck, but in her footwork, strokes, and enterprise she should be studied by everyone able to see her. There has not been such a well-equipped player since the heyday of Miss Nancy Curtis.

A Lesson.

There was a lesson to be drawn from the manner in which Mrs. Melody and Miss Nieholls defeated Mrs. Dykes and Miss D. Howe, ana the lesson is that two volleyers, when they are good, will always beat one. Miss Howe was out of it as far as doubles tactics went, and Mrs. Dykes's efforts to bear the brunt of the net attack were not successful. The fact that although the score was 6-2,.6-2 against her she made the others fight for every game is a tribute to her form. Miss Howe's failure to show more enterprise and reliance on base-line tactics, her slowness when at the net, and failure to place her shots well when there does not point to the two being a good combination as things, are. ■ One of the most interesting matches was played between Miss M. Whyte and Miss M. East, the former player winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Miss "Whyte attracted national notice in 1930 when she performed brilliantly in the New Zealand singleSj and was narrowly beaten by Mrs. C. Smith, of WanganuL With powerful shots and a fighting temperament, Miss Whyte has the qualities which would enable her to reach the first flight of tennis players, and certainly should bring her representative rank this year if she trains aud practices. Though defeated by Miss D. Howe in straight sets, she is a better player than the Brougham Hill girl, and needs ony a few games in good company to tune her up to the point where she would beat all but the topnotchers.

Malfroy's Style,

Malfroy beat Wilde in two sets, says the "Manchester Guardian" of the Scarborough tournament. In the first Malfroy overwhelmed Wilde, who could do littlo right with his forehand and less with his backhand. In the second set Wilde played the fine tennis of which he is capable and made Malfroy really right. Malfroy showed himself _as a very complete player from service to drop shot. That service, for instance, is a good one, delivered with nice swing and body rotation; on occasion it has real pace and always it is sent down with a proper appreciation of placement. Practice in good company tends to eradicate the tendency to serve the loose second delivery, for the first-class player is almost sure to score off a "dolly drop," if not at the first blow then very soon afterwards. Malfroy in action conveys the impression of a young man very much in a hurry. There is none of that indolent procession to the base-line to take up position, for the next shot as seen in Olliff or Sharpe, but, instead, a hurried walk, sometimes a trot, and, as often as not, there is Malfroy all ready and the other man not. Wilde might infuse into Ms game some of Malfroy's restless energy, for Wilde has a tendency to be too deliberate, although, of course, the stroke player is ableto convey that impression on. occasion whea it is *eaHjr not justified.