THE VICTORIOUS BRITISHERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3712, 23 December 1912, Page 5

THE VICTORIOUS BRITISHERS.

TENNIS TGTTRNAMENT AT

AUCKLAND

THE PICK OF NEW ZEALAND ACCOUNTED. FOR.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGEAMj AUCKLAND, Dec. 22.

The British Isles tennis team met the Pick of New Zealand yesterday ■before about 1000 people. Four singles and two doubles were played, all of which were won by the visitors. The weather was good. The chief interest was caused by the singles between C. P. Dixon (English captain) and Olliver (New Zealand champion). Olliver fought hard and put up a really fine game, but towards the end of the second set he tired. His service was beautiful, and lie many times beat Dixon altogether. The Englishman opened the match, and often deuce had been called twice. Ollivier’s services beat Dixon, who won the next with a ‘short ball well placed. Each won an additional point and then Ollivier, by excellent placing, won the game, I—l. Each in turn won the service to 3 all, when Dixon took hie own serve to thirty and Ollivier’s by a love game, 5—3. Deuce was called four times in Dixon’s next servo before Ollivier won. Tlie New Zealander started his service badly, but from 15—40 worked his way up and, by good serving and placing, n on tlie game and made the score five all. In Dixon’s next serve the score stood at 15—40 ill favor of Ollivier, but the Englishman. by solid play, caught up and won. He annexed Ollivier’s next service and the set. The second set was also hard-fought, although the visitor won 6—3. The games were even when half-way through, but' then Dixon went ahead and won. Ollivier’s play was good throughout, but at the end of the second set it lacked some of its earlier dash. Dixon’s play was consistent and to this fact he owed his victory. F. G. Lowe defeated J. Q. Peacocks 6—4, 6—2. Peacooke started well, winning bis first service to love. Deuce was called four times before Lowe won his service. Each lost his next service and then Lowe went ahead to s—-3.5 —-3. Peacooke pulled up one game, but then Lowe wont out after the game had stood love-—4O against him. Peacocks again started well in the second set, winning his service by a. love game, but from then on Lowe won easily, finishing up 6—2.

J. C. Parke met R. N. .Swanson andv won his match easily, 6 —love. 6—3. Parke's strong driving left bis opponent little chance. He could have won out sooner in the second set. The match between A. E. Beamish and F. AT. B. Fisher was poor. Neither man showed up to advantage and Fisher’s lack of practice showed plainly. He served well, but otherwise his judgment was sadly at fault. Beamish won the first set, 6—4. In the second set Fisher led off in better style and led to 3—love. Beamish then struck better form and quickly took the score to three all, his fine back-hand cross-court stroke proving too much for Fisher. The Englishman won the next throe games, the set and the match. Dixon and Parke met Fisher and Ollivier in tlie first doubles. Neither of the New Zealanders played at all well, and Fisher’s play, with the exception of his services, was very poor. Tlie Englishmen wo'n their serves and took Fisher’s to three —love, and then Ollivier served and nonplussed his opponents, winning to fifteen. Dixon and Parke again won their serves, the latter being particularly brilliant. Fisher lost his serve and the set. 6 —l. Ollivier opened the next set and lost his game, while Parke won his service t-o love. Fisher started lfadly, but pulled up from love—4o to deuce, hut the Englishmen sent down two beautiful passing shots, and won. Dixon won his service. Ollivier made a double fault, but after going to love —40 sent clown perfect serves to dence. Tlie Englishmen, however, took the game. The. next one fell to them and the match, 6 —l. 6 —o. The double between Parke and Beamish and Peacock and Swanson was evenly contested. Tlie tennis was not spectacular, but the men. with the execution of Parke showed improved form. Beamish played his back-hand cross-court shot beautifully. The first set went to five wall. Then Beamish won his service, while Swanson lest liis delivery, 7—5. The next set was longer, but although the New Zealanders deserve every credit for their performance it must be admitted that the match should have been finished earlier. The set -vent to 10 —8 before the Englishmen wor out and deuces were plentiful. Further games will lie played on Monday.