SHIELD STAYS SOUTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 243, 4 January 1928, Page 12

SHIELD STAYS SOUTH

INTER-PROVINCIAL TENNIS AUCKLAND WELL BEATEN (Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Auckland’s challenge for the title of premier tennis province faded out badly to-day, Wellington winning every match. The Anthony Wilding Memorial Shield was retained by Wellington by the wide margin of eight matches to two. The Northerners, excepting Sims, seemed to be knocked up after the tennis championships, Bartleet especially being a weary and foot-sore man. His lack of form was shown by his poor showing against Len France, who won almost as he liked in two sets, Bartleet scoring only 12 points in the second set. Results of to-day’s play (Wellington players first) were: Singles.—A. L. France beat E. L. Bartleet, 6—l, 6—o; C. V. Malfroy beat A. W. Sims, 7—9, 11—9, 6 4; ~D. G. France beat N. G. Sturt, 6—l, 6—o: N. R. C. Wilson beat L. G. Knott, 7—9, i —o, 6—4. Doubles.—A. L. France and Wilson beat Knott and Sturt, 6—3, 4—6, 6 1; D. G. France and Malfroy beat Bartleet and Sims, 6—4, 7 —5. Playing on top form Don France outshone N. Sturt, who had lost much of his championship accuracy. The Aucklander netted and cut shots that he had plenty of time to play, but even the good shots he made France generally had little difficulty with. France drove to the side lines with splendid pace and accuracy and always kept Sturt moving fast. SIMS DEFEATED The most even match was the Mal-froy-Sims game. Sims played forcefully and almost recklessly, going for winners on every occasion, but he lacked accuracy. In the first set Sims came ahead 5—2, but then his game fell off, and he took the set, 3—6. Throughout Malfroy was on the defensive. His was the triumph of steady, patient tennis, over one whose brilliant position play was nullified by errors from absolutely winning positions. Sims led 2—o in the second set, and Malfroy evened at 2 all. Thereafter they took turns in holding the odd game until Malfroy won, 11—i*. Sims again led 2—o in the third set, and again Malfroy evened at 2 all. After 4 all he took the next two games for the match. Malfroy showed splendid fighting qualities and great steadiness. KNOTT’S ATTEMPT Unott and YV ilson played with energy but there were too many mistakes. The first set was a hard one, with \Vilson having the worst of the odd games. Knott finally won his service to love for the set at 7—5. Wilson in th e second set I—3, but led 4.3. Knott won his own service to lead ° —4 and got the set 7—5 with a great smash. Knott led 2—l in the third set, but lost his servlet to make the games two all. The games went three all and four all. Then Wilson took his own service to love and won on Knotts service for the set and match. Ihe match was a long one, with interrallies and many close games. There ' little between Knott and Sturt and ilson and Len France in the doubles. Wilson was spectacular overhead. while France smashed everything 1 within reach. Knott grot some beautiful cross-court drives through openings down the middle of the court, while Sturt played a clever if not very accurate game. Bartleet and Siiis ran Malfroy and Hon France to two fairly eveii sets tvmch were not,spectacular.