BIG TENNIS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 497, 29 October 1928, Page 13

BIG TENNIS

ENGLAND V. SOUTH ISLAND GLANVILLE BEATS HIGGS Press Association CHRISTCHURCH. To-day. The tennis match. South Island v. Great Britain, was begun this morning at Wilding Park in fine weather. The courts were in good Order. Results.— Singles: D. F. Glanville (South Island), beat E. Higgs, 6 —2, 6 —2; R. A. Guy (South Island), lost tp I. G. Collins, o—6, I—6. In the first set, Glanville was always superior, owing to greater steadiness. He played Higgs's fast service wonderfully well, picking it up on his backhand with good length returns which the English player often netted. In. the second set, Higgs was more attractive and it looked at one stage as if he would strike true form, but he either fell into errors or was forced into them. Glanville kept going consistently, particularly on his back-hand and won a notable victory. G. Ollivier (South Island) beat J. G. Gregory, B—6,8 —6, 6—3; C. Angas (South Island), lost to H. W. Austin, 3 —6, 4—6. Doubles.—Glanville and Guy lost to Higgs and Collins, 2—6, 2—6. OLLIVIER IN FORM The New Zealajid champion, Ollivier, fought magnificently to win a determined contest against Dr. Gregory. Ollivier’s little shots frequently proved disconcerting to the visitor, and he returned Gregory’s scorching drives with ease, and then scored with rattling placements, first into one corner and then into the other. After leading at one time in the first set, s—l, he was hard pressed for a period bv Gregory's- tenacity, but he managed to retain the lead and win B—6.8 —6. He took the second set 6—3. A splendid exhibition was provided by Austin and Angas. The Englishman started searching for corners both with forehand and backhand, and it was obvious that if he could keep it up at that speed, no New Zealand colt could see it out. He concealed direction with beautiful, sweeping topped drives, and when Angas lobbed he often put away a clean winner. Angas made some brilliant recoveries in the second set, fighting gamely, but he was mostly forced into a big enough margin of errors to make him lose the rally. Austin’s volleying was superb. COLLINS EASILY Collins was always too good for Guy, the Dunedin player. He revealed uncanny anti citation, superior courtcraft. and hard, clean, hitting, alternated with heavy chops. Guy was kept on the run and continually outclassed. Collins impressed the critics by his allround brilliancy. John Courts, Ltd., Club Favoured with brilliant sunshine, tho official opening of the John Court, Ltd., Tennis Club proved a big attraction on Saturday at Mr. John Court’s, Hamilton Road, Ponsonby. About 200 attended, including a number of invalid children from the hospital. The courts were officially opened for the season by Mr. John Court. Mrs. Hall, the club’s captain, made appreciative remarks on the generosity of the firm in having the courts rerlaid and renovated during the winter. The Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band contributed pleasant music, while enjoyable ice cream and afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies’ committee and fxiends.