LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21951, 7 November 1934, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM INTEREST IN EXHIBITIONS PERRY'S BRILLIANT PLAY The feature of week-end tennis was undoubtedly the play of the English team, both ladies and men. It was well received, as was only natural. Acquaintance has revealed in the players qualities that were expected--personal charm, grace and sportsmanship of the highest type, and it can be said that their stay in New Zealand is all too short.

Nothing approaching Miss Round s effortless stroke production has been seen from a lady player in Auckland before. Misses Lyle and Dearmau were also very attractive to watch, although not possessing in singles play quite the control of the Wimbledon champion. Jn doubles they appear to favour the forward and back formation without adhering to it too strictly, and occasionally both go to the net, where they show exceptional volleying *

Perry won the appreciation and admiration of the onlookers, not only for his wonderful skill, but also for his obvious capacity to enjoy his matches. Indeed, this may be said of all those who participated, and it was in pleasant contrast to some other teams that have pla\'ed at Stanley Street.

Perry brings to the game a superb physical equipment and, more than any other leading player seen in Auckland, is on his toes from the moment he steps on to the court. There is none of the nonchalance of Vines or even the rather leisurely attitude of Crawford. The Englishman is exceptionally fast on the court, and absolutely merciless when he is given a weak return or presented with an opportunity for a winning drive. Brilliant Volleying Although more famous for his play in doubles than in singles, and not so colourful a personality as Perry, Hughes is obviously a very fine allround player. In the singles match he proved too strong for N. G. Sturt. while in the doubles contest his volleying and anticipation were brilliant. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, D. G. France and N. G. Sturt all played well, particularly when it is considered that it is only the commencement of the tennis season in Auckland, and that there has been little opportunity for practice. A word of special praise is due to D. G. France for his very fine play in the doubles against Perry and Hughes. Miss Macfarlane played pluckily against Miss Lyle, and was on terms at 3-all in the first set, but then lost some of her control and could not hold the English player. The staging of the contests was excellent arid well up to the standard that is inclined to be taken for granted these days, and a word of praise is due to those concerned with the management. Hard Court Competitions

The commencement of the hard court inter-club competitions provided many close and interesting matches and, generally speaking, the standard of play seems higher than last season. Unity, a three-court club, with four teams in the field, three of which were engaged, has every reason to be pleased with the success which attended its opening efforts. The B team overwhelmed University by 10 matches to 0, only two sets being lost, but victory did not come so easily to the C and D grade teams, which we're engaged in the closest matches of the day against Marist and Roskill respectively. "The Unity-Marist match was close and exciting from the start, six out of the ten matches going to three sets. Coyle and McSweeney had a very hard game, the first-named doing very well to extend his younger opponent to such a degree. At four-all in the deciding •set he lost his service, and McSweeney took the next two games for the match. Both Misses Christie and Kelly played well and showed form which promises still better results in the near future. The Marist player was a trifle steadier than her opponent and just got homo at 6 —4 after a keen struggle. She is much improved on last season's form.

Two Hours' Contest Phillpotts, playing second singles for Unity, worried jolly considerably with chop strokes, and the Marist player lost in two sets, being unable to find his length Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Curtice played for over two hours before the decision finally went to the Unity player at 5 —6,' 6 —5, 6 —5. It was a case of safety-first tactics, and both would do well to speed up their shots and go for winners when possible, rather than wait for the opponent to break down. Pickering and Mrs. Phillpotts both played well and, when they had settled down, were too strong for O'Brien and Miss McGee. Miss McGee was very reliable, but O'Brien, who was much too erratic, will sbow improvement only when he realises that one of the first things to do in tennis is to get the ball over the net and into the court. Eowe played well for Unity with Miss Halliwell, who seemed nervous at first, but improved as the match progressed.

At the conclusion of the match Coyle, Unity's captain, complimented the Marist team on the sportsmanlike manner in which the contest had been played and said that suclv meetings must do much toward cementing friendships and helping tennis generally. Margin of Two Games

Mount Boskill went down with colours flying to Unity in the D grade. At the end of the match only two games separated the teams. In the men's singles Lewis had a close match with Pyc, while Henry, who does not always do himself justice in matches, carried Hawkins to the full three sets. As he has well-produced strokes, experience should remove this weakness and enable him to obtain a higher ranking. Miss Ushaw and Mrs. Clayton had a keen struggle for the first set. but the first-named had definitely gained the ascendancy in the second set. in which she lost only two games. Superior combination and better allround play gave both men's doubles to Roskill. The Unity players made altogether too many errors and will have to improve in this department if the team is to be successful. Their win nn Saturday was almost entirely due to their ladies. Hallyburton-.Tohnstone had an anxious time against Pukeroa in the B grade, and only survived the test by ]Ol games to 98. Pukeroa has every reason to be well satisfied with its effort.

Campbell Park had four teams enpaged. two of which were successful. The best match was that against Raani, which was won by five matches to four and one set in the tenth match. This contest produced many strenuous three-set matches, and the result was in doubt until the last match had been played.