LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21329, 2 November 1932, Page 17

LAWN TENNIS

VISIT OF AMERICAN TEAM INTEREST IN EXHIBITIONS LESSON ON DOUBLES PLAY BIT SIDELINE Auckland tennis enthusiasts were privileged to see ori Monday in Vines, Allison and Van Ttyn the three players who went so close to defeating France and taking the Davis Cup back to,tho United States this year. Just as history records tho rise and fall of various peoples, so in the archives of lawn tennis is found tho sceptre of power passing from one country to another as new players arise, and old champions lose the ability to retain their skill. In the same way as Cochet, Borotra, Brugnon and Lacoste broke tho power of Johnston and Tilden, so may these young players, who have just been seen at Stanley Street, or others from England or Germany, wrest the Davis Cup from France in the near future. Certainly the Davis Cup contest next year will hold greater interest for New Zealanders, who have now seen the best Australians and the best Americans in action, and learned something of their strokes and strategy. Considering the short time that it was possible to advertise the match the attendance on Monday was gratifying, and credit is due to the president, Mr. R. B. Hardy, and the members of the Auckland emergency committee who worked tremendously hard to get the match staged and the many details fixed satisfactorily. Naturally, coming straight off the boat, the Americans could not be expected to produce their best form, but, even in the short games played, it was quite apparent that they are an exceptionally strong quartet. Vines and Allison were the most impressive in the singles matches, the first-named's powerful service being frequently in evidence. He has many amazing strokes, delivered with great power and speed, one of his favourites seemingly being a low drive which turns to either side of the court in the extreme corners. He is certainly not a one-stroke player and showed that he can end a prolonged rally with a terrific drive off either backhand or forehand. Impressive Defence Allison's defence was impressive and time and again lie returned shots which would havo left other players standing. At. the same time he has 6ome fine attacking shots, particularly on the forehand, and when the opportunity occurred he was quick to score with a strong, well-placed drive. G1 edhill and Van Ryn were somewhat out of touch, but at times produced wonderful shots, giving an indication of what is to bo expected from thefn when in form. Van Ryn, in particular, has a fine command of short cross-court shots which makes him particularly formidable in doubles. The doubles match provided a splendid example of team work by both pairs, a noticeable feature being Allison's effective smashing of the top of the bounce. The service was well placed at all times, a feature which might well be copied by some of Auckland's' young players. Indeed, with the exception of Vines, placement, rather than terrific speed was more in evidence. Dominion President's Visit The Americans left last night for Australia and it is expected they will be back in New Zealand toward the end of February, when a series of matches will be played against tho Dominion's leading players, and Auckland enthusiasts will have another opportunity of seeing thestt fine, players in action. Not. the least important event in connection with the visit of the United States lawn tennis players was the presence in Auckland of Mr. G. Gore, president of the New Zealand' Lawn Tennis Association. Mr. Gore has come in contact with most of Auckland's prominent officials with mutual benefit, and it is to be hoped his visit is but the forerunner of others from officials who may rule from time to time in Wellington. Mr. Gore was present at the Parnell Club's jubilee celebrations on Saturday Jnsfr, when he congratulated the Auckland association's officials upon the manner in which they had overcome, all obstacles in order to arrange the exhibition matches by the. American players. The New Zealand president will be in A&ldand for a few days, and will probably accompany Mr. R. B: Hardy on a round of visits to the official opening of the season for grass court clubs on Saturday next.

SPORT OF CYCLING STADIUM AT PAPATOETOE CASEY'S GOOD PERFORMANCES rho Papatoetoe Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club unfortunately experienced cold, showery weather on Saturday when it officially opened the new sports stadium at Papatoetoe with a mixed programme of athletic events. The meeting had been postponed from Labour Day. In spite of the unpleasant conditions a good gathering watched the racing and only three of the wheelmen from town failed to appear. The steeply-banked track of six laps to the mile proved well up to expectations and jn the 11 cycle races decided close and exciting finishes resulted. The protecting coat of light sandy material and a gusty cross wind made the track slightly slow. The only fall of the afternoon was in the invitation scratch race of two miles, which was decided on a points basis. On the 11th lap L. H. Dwight's front wheel fouled R. 0. Foubister's rear wheel. In falling Dvvight brought H. V. Gordon down. Gordon quickly remounted and continued, but Dwighfc retired. Foubister won the event with nine points and F. J. Casey, who was.--commencing his eighth season of track lacing, was second with three points. The leader at each lap gained a point. That the track is capable of holding fast speeds was evidenced in the lap record attempts. From a flying start L. >l. Dwight, in a, special competition, in which six riders participated, establishes! a record lap in 19 l-ss. This time represents a mile in lin 55 2-ss. The one mile world's record, held by the Australian, A. Goullet. is 1m 51s. Only l-5s slower than Dwight were It. G. Foubister and T. Rawhiti, the Maori rider from Manurewa. N. I?. Casey rode brilliantly to win both the half and one-mile handicaps from fields of 27 and 26 respectively. With 50yds. start in the half he won in a fast finish with K. lladfield, of the Tapatoetoe Club, in 1m 1 3-5s by half a length. For a beginner Hadfield displayed distinct promise. Casey's victory in the one mile was partly anticipated after his previous win, for he had a start, of 110 yds. His winning mile time was 2m 11 4-'ss. The only scratch rider to overcome the handicaps was D. N. Pinfold, of the Papatoetoe Club, whose two brothers were also racing. He won the junior halfmile in lm 6 4-5s from .7. Castell, 30yds. Pinfold also created a junior flying lap record of 19 3 ss. A popular win went to I. Bellini, 130vds., in the one mile and a-half consolation race. His time was 3rn 335. Although it was not surprising under the unfavourable conditions that Miss V. Baird failed in her attempt to lower her own record of lm .19 3-5s for the standing start hnlf-mile, she succeeded in lowering Miss Croft's one-mile paced record of 2m 45s by 1 l-ss. Miss Baird was paced by her brother, S. J. Baird, who also accompanied her on her record ride to Wellington from Auckland last Easter, when the journey of 462 miles occupied 79h 40m.