LAWN TENNIS TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20508, 8 March 1930, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS TEST.

AUSTRALIANS LEADING,

FIVE MATCHES TO ONE.

WILSON'S SOLITARY WIN.

SPROULE TOO GOOD FOR ANGAS.

[Br TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Friday. The la\sn tennis test match between New Zealand and Australia commenced afc Wilding Park courts to-day. The weather was cool, with a light breeze. Australia won all the matches except one. The visitors were superior in courtcraft and ball control. They were speedier and made fewer mistakes. The results were as follow, Australian names being given first SINGLES. W. N. Teague lost to N. R. C. Wilson, 6—B, I—6, 4—6. F. Kalms beat D. G. France, 6—3, B—6, 6—l. C. Sproule beat C. Angas, 6—l, 6—2, 8-6. C. J. Donohue beat E. L. Bartleet, 6-3, 6-2, 4—6, 7-9, 8-6. DOUBLES. Kalms and Teague beat Angas and France, 3—6, 6—3, 6—o, 7—5. Sproule and Donohoe beat Bartleefc and Wilson, 3—6, 6—4, 10 —8, 6—2. The first singles muich was between France and Kalms. A largo portion of the play went on to Kalms' backhand, but at times Kalms displayed some very good short, shots. In the fifth game France found Kalms out of position several times. Most of the play was from the baseline, but in the final game France was caught close to the net, and the set went to Kalms 6—3. In the second set play was similar in nature and although France started well he could not keep the advantage, Kalms winning B—6. The third set opened with several good services by Kalms, who won the first three games. France then began to show his form, but the set and match went to Kalms 6—l. Wilson's Good Driving. In the match between Wilson and Teague the greater portion of the first 6et was given over to fast, low drives, but Teague showed up in his service, and gave Wilson no chance to use the net. The games went to five all and Teague then resorted to baseline tactics, but Wilson was better in his driving and his serves, winning the set B—6.8 —6. In the second set Wilson soon had a lead of three games and Teague was obviously outclassed, being tempted to the net and left out of position. In the third set Teague showed good judgment in passing shots and brought the score to three all. Wilson was placing his shots on Teague's backhand to his own disadvantage, but won the set and the match 6—4. At the beginning of the Angas-Sproule game Angas was playing close up, but his defence was weak. The first set went to Sproule 6—l. Angas continued to play into Sproule's hands and the Australian was in the lead throughout the set, the final score being 6—l. Things looked blighter for Angas at the beginning of the third set, for ho played more steadily. He was hitting mora accurately, but Sproule was not extended. The score came to six all and though play was close it was not striking. The last two games showed the brightest tennis of the match. Sproule won the set and match B—6. Bartleet's Poor Form. Bartleet afc first was extremely disappointing in his showing against Douolioe, sending his shots out and into the net, and being found frequently out of position, Donohoe brought in some very pretty low shots across the net. Bartleet's form did not improve in the second set and Donohoe's shots were on the sideline and continually found Bartleet out of position. The set went to Donohoe 6—2. After the first game of the third set, Bartleet took the opportunity of any holes in Donohoe's defence, evened the score three all, and took the set at 6-4.

In the fourth set, play was fairly even and scores were brought to five all. The last game was notable for seven deuces, Bartleet gaining the set 9—7. The fifth and last set opened fairly easily. Donohoe being obviously tired, dropped a numbor of balls into the net, and was out of position when faced with fast cross court shots. However, he succeeded in winning the set B—6. Play in the doubles match Angas and France v. Kalms and Teague was not at first at all inspiring, there being weaknesses in both teams. In the first set the first four games went to New Zealand, but Angas, in particular, was very erratic. New Zealand won the set 6—3. The second set was very little brighter, the Australians finding considerable holes in their opponents' defence, winning the set 6—3. The third was a love sot, but the final set was much more even and there was some brisk driving. The score ran to five all, and the final point fell to the Australians when Angas outed the last ball of a long series of volleys. Some Good Volleying.

In the other doubles match the Australians seemed unable to strike form at first, J)onohoe in particular playing erratically. The set went to New Zealand 6—3. The second set saw the Australian teamwork very weak, several collisions occurring. However, the visitors won the set 6—4. There was then a spell of high lobbing, and Wilson and Sproulo were particularly noticeable in their ability to return winning shots from these lobs. Bartleet and Sproulo showed up well in bursts of crisp volleying. Tlay was very even at the end, the set finally going to the Australians 10—8. Tho final set was continued in failing light, but good tennis was still played and in tho sixth game thore was some good work with all players close to the net. The Australians won the match with the final set 6—2.