LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 47, 26 January 1932, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

WELLINGTON WIN WILDING SHIELD. • Per Press Association. AUOKDAND, Jan. 25. The final match of tho Wilding Shield was concluded to-day and resulted in a win for Wellington, which beat Canterbury bv 7 rubbers to 5. The day’s play was robbed of a great deal of interest by reason of the fact that Angas, Canterbury’s leading player was overtaken with a severe attack of biliousness. Although not feeling up to the mark he played through a-Tong doubles match with Barnett against Wilson and Roussel, but was unable to participate in the singles, which was left unfinished on Saturday. The result was that Canterbury were forced to default this match. As the other matches went, however, this contest would not have affected the ultimate result, although it appeared that Canterbury would have won the match against Wilson and Roussel but for Angas’s illness. The weather was again fine, but a strong wind blew across tho courts and proved troublesome to the majority of players. The Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe were interested spectators during the afternoon, and wore introduced to the New South Wales- ladies.

D. G. France was responsible for checking the career of Barnett, the young Canterbury player, who had _so far accounted for three of the leading singles exponents in the Dominion. Thoi early part of the game was characterised by long rallies from the base line, and it was a question as to who made the first error. lii the second set France drew opponent toward the net very successfully and then had him in difficulties as he rushed back toward the base line. France frequently followed in and cut off some sharp returns. Steadiness, combined with his ability to heavily chop tho ball just over the net was responsible for the triumph of Angas over Wilson. Angas sent practically everything back and won on. his opponents’ mistakes. The match between A. L. France and Glanville was always full of interest. France’s spin .and chop shots, aided by the wind, troubled Glanville, who_ never seemed at home, while the Wellington player was always confident. Results are ns follow:

Singles.—l). G. France (Wellington) | beat Barnett, 7—5, 6—5; Angas (Canterbury) beat Wilson, 6—2, 7—5; A. L. France (Wellington) beat Glanville, 6—3, 6—4; Patterson (Canterbury) beat Roussel, 2—6, 6—2, 6—4. Doubles.—Wilson and Roussel (Welllington) beat Angas and Barnett, I—6, i 11—9, 6—3; France and France (Wellington) beat Glanville and Patterson, ! 6—o, 9—7 ; Wilson and Roussel (Wellington) beat Glanville and Patterson, i 6—2, 6—2; Franco and France won |from' Angas and Barnett by default, 4—4. ' 1 TEST MATCH. The Test match between the ladies’ teams representing New South Wales and New Zealand was concluded today, the visitors winning by eight rubbers and 18 sets to four rubbers and eight sets. Generally, speaking, they proved themselves superior all round over tire New Zealanders who, as on the first day, won but one singles and- one doubles. New Zealand’s singles success was gained by Miss MacFarlano, who accounted' for Miss Hartigan in a long drawn-out contest. The doubles' match between Misses Nicholls and MacFarlnne and Mrs Molesworth and Miss Hartigan proved a great marathon, the New Zealand pair prevailing at the end of two hours. Almost, every game was a lpng one and sustained the interest of the crowd, which derived,", much amusement from the manner in which the scores remained so close throughout. , . ■

The match between Mrs Dykes and Mrs Molesworth was characterised by strong driving by both, the New South AYales player being the more accurate. ' It was a very, even and keen contest until the games were three all in the first set. Mrs Dykes then lost the accuracy of her, powerful forehand drive, dropping points at a critical stage. Mrs Molesworth’s backhand became more troublesome as the match progressed, and she also worried her opponent with chops and slices. The New Zealander failed to win a game in the second set. Miss Nicholls was unable to repeat her performance on Saturday in the match with Miss Valkenburg, and the Australian won by adopting superior tactics. She discovered a weakness in Miss Nicholls’s backhand and played to it on every possible occasion. Miss Maelarlane made a great recovery in the match with Miss Hartigan which provided many thrills. Both players are noted for fast driving and the meeting wns productive of much good play, v some of the point winning shots raising the large gallery to a high state of enthusiasm. There was not a great deal of variety in the doubles play between Mrs Molesworth and Miss Hartigan and Miss Nicholls and Miss MacFarlane; both pairs indulging in hard driving from the back line with almost a total disregard for the player at the net. Mrs Molesworth sustained a slight injury to lier left arm early in the first set, but quickly recovered. Her severe service and backhand driving were a feature of the contest, which was prolonged for two hours before a decision was reached. Results are ,as follow :

Mrs Molesworth (N.S.W.) boat Mrs Dykes 6—3, 6—o; Miss Valkenburg (N.S.W.) beat Miss Nicholls 6—3, 62; Miss MncFarlane (New Zealand) beat Miss Hartigan 2—6, 6—4, 7 ; Miss Hall (N.S.W.) beat Miss Knight 6—3/6—2; Miss Valkenburg and Miss Hall beat' Mrs Dykes and Miss Knight, 6—o, 6—2; Misses Nicholls and MacFarlane beat Mrs Molesworth and Miss Hartigan 15 — 13, 7—5.