TEST TENNIS MATCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 291, 6 November 1928, Page 5

TEST TENNIS MATCH

BRITAIN v. NEW ZEALAND

VISITORS’ EASY VICTORY.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. Nov. 5.

Vigorous tennis, played under perfect weather conditions, aroused the intense enthusiasm of the large .attendance at the concluding day’s play in the tennis test between Great Britain and New Zealand. Tho visitors finished tho test winners by nine matches to three, but the New Zealanders’ form to-day was immensely improved. Tho courts and play were faster than on Saturday and electrical tennis was witnessed in tho concluding two doubles. WILSON BEATS HIGGS.

The matches will live in New Zealand annals of the game. New Zealand won one single, N. R. Wilson defeating E. Higgs in three sets, and one doubles, Bartleet and Wilson winning from Higgs and Collins in/ two straight advantage sets, fought out point for point in thrilling play. Great Britain’s best pair, Gregory and Austin, were extended to their uttermost to beat Ollivier and D. G. France, 4—6, 6 —B, 9 —7, in tho other doubles. It produced tennis the like of which has seldom been seen in New Zealand. Ollivier, probably playing his last game as an amateur, gavo one of the finest exhibitions of his career. It was a glorious farewell to the ranks of amateurs.

D. G. Franc© played every bit as well as Collins, the Scottish champion, 4—6, 5 —7, only .after a great battle. New Zealand emerged from the test beaten by but no means disgraced. The greatly improved play of the Dominion/ four on tho second clay indicated liffiat their form a month or two later in the season would have considerably reduced the margin. France, in being defeated by Collins, did better than could have been reasonably asked of him. He was playing back-hand and forehand drives with amazing precision to within inches of the side line, to keep the Scotsman playing a back-hand defensive. Collins’s service, however, was trouble, some. France frequently came in to

the net to play 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 his form.. The Englishman was again not at his best, netting frequently and putting many otherwise excellently placed, powerfully driven volleys and drives just outside the line. The Gregorv-Bartleet match provided a fine, liard-liitting contest, in which the New Zealand captain played wonderfully well, although often passed by the Englishman’s lashing back-hand drives. Gregory remained superior and won fairly easily. Wilson played brilliant tennis with Bartleet in tile doubles against Higgs and Collins. Wilson’s return of the service w r as uniformly good. His brilliant interceptions and recoveries were largely instrumental in New Zealand's win. Tho Englishmen put up another great performance. The Austin-Ollivier singles match demonstrated the Englishman’s perfect control of all shots. Ollivier put up a sterling defence, but wais frankly outclassed. THE DOUBLES GAMES.

Galvanic tennis was witnessed in the doubles match between Gregory and Austin and Ollivier and France, and it will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. The redoubtablo English pair were extended to the last ounce to win in a match illustrative of every one of the fine points of courtcraft and stroke production. . Ollivier played a powerful gam<S, which made noble amends for his showing on Saturday. The New Zealanders played their way through the first set, 6—4, by superb tennis, amid tremendous enthusiasm. In the second set, Gregory’s terrific overhead smashes thrilled the onlookers. France, at times, lost his attack and put up short lobs, jvhieli both Englishmen, but particularly Gregory, hit with terrific pace. Tensely, tho crowd saw the titanic struggle ini the last set go *o 6 all, then 7 —6 in favour of Great Britain. The New Zealanders equalised and then dropped two games before the smashing onslaught of tho Englishmen.

DETAILED SCORES,

Details of the scores are as follow, the visitors being mentioned first: H. W. Austin beat G. Ollivier, 6—2, 6 — 2. J. C. Gregory beat E. L. Bartleet,

6—2, 6—3. E. Higgs lost to N. R. C. "W Ilsoni, 3—6, 6—3, 4 —6. I. G. Collins beat D. G. France, 6—4, 7—5. Gregory and Austin beat Ollivier and France, 4 —6, 6 —2, 9: —7. Higgs and Collins lost to Bartleet and Wilson, 7 —9, 6 —B.