TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10735, 5 November 1928, Page 2

TENNIS.

ENGLAND v. NEW ZEALAND. VISITORS OUTCLASS OPPONENTS WIN ALL BUT A SINGLES GAME. (Press Association.; AUCKLAND. Nov. 3. Tile visiting British tennis team met New Zealand’s representatives in the first day of the test to-day under perfect weather conditions, and won five out of the six'matches played. The New Zealanders, : though plainly outclassed, were not disgraced and play was not always so one-sided as the scores indicate, but they lacked the finish and condition of the visitors and were given lessons in court-craft. Particularly d'd the Englishmen excel in attacking play at, the net, coming in close- at every opportunity, while, in the majority of cases, their opponents hung to the back of the court, where they were more at home 111 long range driving and placements Austin and Gregory excelled among the visitors, playing with almost faultless style, linisli and strength. D. G. France' was outstanding among the New Zealanders, securing the only win for liis side against Higgs. France played a careful, heady game. His over-head work was very sound and lie most readily accommodated himself to the English stylo of game. There was an attendance of about SOD. The teams were:Britain.—Austin, Higgs, Gregory, and Collins..

New Zealand.—Ollivier, Bartleet, Franco, and Wilson. ft took 40 minutes for Austin to defeat Bartleet and, until the end ol : the first set, New Zealand’s captain hung tenaciously to the brilliant young Englishman. Austin took the first set, 6—4, after sustained driving duels. 111 tiie second set, Austin maintained perfect control of Ins driving on both wings, keeping Bartleet on the run. Although the Aucklander never gave up, he was unable to capture a game. Gregory reversed the result of liis' Christchurch match with Ollivier in most decisive fashion. In the first set, Ollivier lost the first five games, but, by strategy, prevailed against Gregory’s pace sufficiently to score three games before the set went to England. Gregory hammered through the second sot; 6—2. France’s steadiness and versatility carried him through in Ids match against Higgs, who netted most trequently although his fast and shrewd placements showed of what lie is callable when at top.. France, after losing tho first two games in the first set, took it 6—4, and the next 7—5. Wilson did well to run Collins to three sets, in the. first, the young New Zealander looked all over a winner, his poise and condition backing big forceful volleying from midcourt and net and effective placements to the side-lines. He took tho first set, 6—4, But the next two went to iiis young English opponent, 6—3 and 6—l. Wi'son appeared to lose his length and Collins made a brave recovery to stabilise liis game. Playing with remarkable judgment and far greater power than in the first net, his anticipation was then displayed and he nullified much of -Wilson’s game, which had proved so successful in the opening session. However, had Wilson maintained his first sot’s play tho result would have been very close, lie was beaten by experience..

Gregory and l Austin had a runaway victory, over Bartleet and Wilson. Wilson was beaten continually in attempting to come' in and the combination of tho Britishers was far more effective in covering the court than that rf Baitleet and Wilson. The Englishmen won 6—2, 6—2. The contest between Higgs and Collins and Ollivier and France provided interest for half the distance, tlie New Zealanders winning the first set. B—6, after, many brilliant rallies at close quarters. France often excelled, but OHivier was far from his liest and became worse, as the match progressed. France made heroic efforts, but the smoothly working combination of the visitors, their exploitation of net game and steadiness carried them through comfortably. 6—l, 6—2, in tlie second and third sets. —Singles— H. W. Austin (England) beat E. L. Bartleet (N.Z.) 6—4, 6—o. E. Higgs (England:!, lost to D. G. France (N.Z.), 4—6, s*—7. J C. Gregory (England) beat CV Ollivier (N.Z.). 6—3, 6—2. ' ' I G. Collins (England) beat N. Milson (N.Z.), 4—6, 6—3, 6—l. —Doubles.—• Austin and Gregory (England), boatBartleet and Wilson (N.Z.)’. 6—2. 6—2. : j ' . Higgs and Collins (England) bent Ollivier and France (N.Z.). 6—S. 6—l, 6—2. ..