TENSE TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10736, 6 November 1928, Page 3

TENSE TENNIS.

BIUTAIN DEFEATS NEW ZEALAND. ELECT’D IGA L FLAY WITNESSED iPreua Association.* AUCKLAND, Nov. 5. Vigorous tennis, played under perfect weather conditions, aroused the intense lenthusiasm of a large attendance at the concluding day’s play in the tennis test, Great Britain v. Mew .Zealand. The visitors' finished the test winners by nine matches to three, hut the New .Zealanders" form was immensely improved. The courts and play were faster than on Saturday and electrical tennis was witnessed in the conclnd'ng two doubles matches, which will )i v o in New Zealand annals of the game. New Zealand won one singles, N. K. C. Wilson beating E. Higgs in three sets, and one doubles, Bartleet and Wilson winning from Higgs and Collms in two straight advantage sets, fought out point for point. In thrilling play, Great Britain's best pair, GreI gory and Austin, were extended to the uttermost to defeat Ollivier and D. G. France—4—6. 6—2, 9—7. The other doubles produced tennm the like of which has seldom been seen in New Zealand. Ollivier, playing probably his last game as an amateur, gave one of the finest exhibitions of his career it was a glorious farewell to the ranks of the ama tours. J). G. France played every bit as well as on Saturday and went down to Collins, the Scottish champion, 4—6, b~-Y, alter a great battle. New Zealand emerged from the test beaten, but by no means disgraced. The greatly improved play of the Dominion four on the second day indicated that their form a month or two later in the season would have considerably reduced the margin. JJranee, in being defeated by Collins, o—4, 7—5, did better than could have been reasonably asked of him. He played backhand and forehand drives with amazing precision to within inches of the side line to keep the Scotsman playing a backhand defensive. Collins’ service, however, was troublesome. France frequently came into the net to plav the Scotsman at his own game and gave smash for smash, whenever there was anything loose overhead. Wilson began badly against Higgs, but quickly regained form. The Englishman was again not at his best, netting frequently and putting many otherwise excellently placed and powertully driven volleys and drives .justoutside the line.

The Gregory-Bartleet match provided a fine hard-hitting contest in which the New Zealand captain played -wonderfully wen. Although often passed by the Englishman’s lightning backhand drives, Gregory re mained superior and won fairly eas ily. Wilson played brilliant tennis with Bartleet in the doubles- against Higgs and Collins. Wilson’s return of °service was uniformly good and Ins brilliant interceptions and recoveries were largely instrumental in -New Zealand’s win. The -Englishmen pht'-up ‘another great- performance. The Austin-Ollivier singles demonstrated the perfect control of all shots. Ollivier put up n stealing defence, bur was frankly outclassed.

OaJvanic tennis witnessed in the doubles match between Gregory and Austin and Ollivier and France will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. The redoubtable English pair were extended to the last ounce to win m a match illusj trative of every one of the fine points of court-craft "and stroke producing, wlhvier played a powerful game, which made noble amends for his showing on Saturday. The New Zealanders played their way through the lirst set, 6—4, by superb tennis and amid tremendous enthusiasm. In the second set, Gregory’s terrific overhead smashes thrilled onlookers Era nee, at times, lost his attack and put up short lobs which both Englishmen,! but particularly Gregory, hit with terrific pace. Tensely the crowd saw a titanic struggle m the last set go to 6 all, and then 7—6. in favor of Great Britain. The New Zealanders equalised and then dropped two games before the smashing onslaught of the Englishmen. Details of the scores are: H. W. Austin beat G. Ollivier 0 —l, 6—2. J. C. Gregory beat- E. L. Bartleet 0 t (j ‘ ti. E. Liiggs lost to N. 11. C. Wilson g—6, 6— 3, 4—6. -J. G. Collins beat D. 0. France — *4j * / ■o, Gregory and Austin beat Ollivier and France 4—6, 6—2, 9—7. Higgs, and Collins lost to Bartleet and Wilson V—9, 6—B.