LAWN TENNIS MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS MATCH.

AUSTRALIA V. AUCKLAND,

EXCITING CONTESTS SEEN^

HONOURS EASY IN SINGLES.

BOTH DOUBLES TO VISITORS.

Interesting and at times brilliant tennis ~ was seen at the Stanley Street courts yesterday afternoon, .when .the visiting Australian team commenced their match against Auckland, winning four matches to two. The Australians'won both th* doubles matches and two of the four '•*; singles. The score in sets was:—Atistialia, 16; Auckland, 9. With the excep- ~": tion of a shower early in the afternoon ■ « the weather was fine. Following are the results:— ;>

Singles.—C. Sproule (Australia-) beat E. L. Bartleet (Auckland), 2—6, 6-1, 6—o, 6—l; J. T. Laurenson (Auckland) beat C. J. Donohoe (Australia), 2—6, 36, 6—3, 7—5, 6—l; F. E. Kalm3 (Australia) beat >i. G. Sturfc (Auckland), 6—4, 6—4, 6—l; A. C. Stedman (Auck» land) beat W. Teague (Australia), 6—3, o—6, 4—6, 6—3, 6—o. Doubles.—Sproule and Donohoe beat Bartleet and Laurenson. 2—6, 6—3, 6—4, 6—4; Kalms and Teague beat Stedman and Stui-t. 6—2, 4—6, 6—3, 6—4. Defeat of Bartleet. Opening their first- set with powerful and for the most part accurate driving, Bartleet and Sproule' appeared to ha evenly matched. With only an occasional lapse, Bartleet played a sound game, whila Sproule gave only glimpses of good form. Bartieet s service was the more impressive, and he broke through Sprcule'3 when the games were two all. Bartleet carried on by more accurate play to win the set 6—2.

llie second set produced exciting and - brilliant tennis, Sproule giving au indication of his true form. He frequently had Bartleet out of position, aud was quick >i to pres3 him his advantage by flawless • volleying. Sproule took the set,. 6-r-l. Bartleet was lacking in precision im~ the third set", while Sproule played, better tennis as the game progressed. His ;& placing was accurate, and he won the « set without difficulty 6—o. Sproule led s—l in the fourth set, hut *' Bartleet then recovered, and, playing with ~ greater accuracy, reduced the lead to 5—4. Sproule then won his service and the set 6—4. Laurensoa's Improvement. Latirenson was a long time showing hi 3 true form in his match against Donohoe, and at, the start appeared to be out of ipractice. The Australian, on the other hand, played forceful, and accurate tennis, his overhead work in the first set being particularly impressive. -He repeatedly passed Latirenson at the net, and iti •- seemed then that Laurenson must be outclassed. Donohoe .won. the set with ease 6—2. *

Laurenson showed "little Improvement in the second set, while Donohoe continued, with powerful cross-court drives which. Laurenson frequently failed to reach. His return of the Australian's service, too, repeatedly gave his opponent a big advantage. Donohoe -took the set 6—5. In the third set Laurenson was a difterent player, both with'his service and iri his general play. He forced the game and showed far greater confidence in hi 3 strokes. Donohoe -was not so impressive, and many of his returns lacked power i and precision. Laurenson won the set I 6—.3.

There was a great straggle in the - fourth set. Laurenson's back-hand was perfect, while Donohoe's volleying, which . had proved so effective earlier, was fast becoming less steady. Both players wefo careful, but in spite of this the tennis was fairly bright, Laurenson winning the set 7—5.

Continuing to play steadily Laurenson. cained more from his opponent's mistakes than by his own brilliance and was able to win the fifth set fairly easily 6—l« X Brilliant Play by Kalms.

Although he played good tennis Sturfi was no match for the more resourceful and forceful Kalm?. The match produced sparkling tennis, both players opening with beautiful drives to the baseline.. Sturt began well and .took the first two games, but he failed badly against Kalms'" second service, -the ' game being a lovo one. Volleying and placing perfectly Kalms showed himself to be a masterful player, winning the set. 6—4. At the opening of the second set Kabn3 gave a wonderful exhibition of volleying, and half-volleying. While Start's Was essentially a back-line game, Kalms advanced to the net repeatedly with effective results, although Sturt/s persistent, drives occasionally passed him. Sturt, stood up to his opponent's powerful well, but as the set progressed hi? play became more and more taking the set 6—4. Sturt still fought hard in the third and final set, but Kalms' service was as strong as ever, and many of Sturt's returns went, astray. Kalms led s—o, but Sturt then broke through with his service, only to. lose the following game and the set. . Win for Stedman. Stedman showed splendid form against; Teague, whose high-rising returns he found to his liking for powerful and accurate drives across and down court. Teague showed great brilliance at times with his back-hand, but. he was gradually worn down by Stedman.'s forceful and steady play. Stedman frequently worked him out of position, and with the score two sets all put the result beyond doubt in a love set. Donohoe was the principal figure in his doubles match with Sproule, against .Bartleet and Laurenson, his overhead work being most effective. There was a better understanding between the two.. Australians and although the Aucklandera took the first set their play afterwards was not, impressive. Stedman and Sturt gave a fine exhibition against Kalms and Teague and at several stages during the match it appeared that they might win. At the start" Kalms played with great brilliance, but' there followed a lapse for several games during which the two Aucklanders gained many points by steady play. The last set was particularly close, when* the'games were four-all. but Stedman dropped his service, and Kalms made no mistake with the last game. Play will be continued at, one o'clock this afternoon, when the following matches will be played.—Kalms v. Bartleet, Sproule v. Sturt. Teague v. Laurenson, Stedman v. Donohoe. Kalms and Teaguo v. Bartleet and Laurenson, Sproule and Dono'noe v. Sturt and Stedman v WILDING MEMORIAL SHIELD. CANTERBURY Y. WELLINGTON"*

[BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION*. J WELLINGTON. Friday. The challenge tennis match--for tha Anthony Wilding Memorial Shield was commenced tc-day on the WellingtonAssociation's courts ar Miramnr. between Canterbury (challengers) and Wellington, - in calm weather. On the days play Wellington led by four matches to two. The following are the detailed results, Wellington players mentioned first: — Fincles —F. G. France beat, T. RhodeSWilliaims, 6-3, 6-2; C. G- Malfrov beatC. Ancas, 3—-6, 6—2. 6—5 : £*• R- r - Wilson" beat T. W. Patterson, 11—9, 9—2; A. E. Sandrel lost to D. F- Glanviile, _ 2—6, 6—4, 4—6. Doubles. —Franco and Malfroy beat Glanville and Patterson, 6—2, 7—5; vviison aud Sandrel lost to Angas and Rhodes-Williams, 4—6, 6—4, o—o. ' x.^