TENNIS STARS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19624, 19 October 1933, Page 5

TENNIS STARS

ENGLISHMEN VISIT TIMARU SPLENDID EXHIBITION MATCHES The appearance in Timaru yesterday of the English tennis players, H. G. N. Lee (captain), F. J. Perry and F. H. D. Wilde, in the opening games of their somewhat brief tour of the Dominion, attracted a large attendance of the public to the Maori Park courts. For those in control of the game here, the players and the general public, the occasion was an eventful one, for it was the first time that a team of tennis players from overseas has graced Timaru with their presence. Further distinction was given the event by reason of the fact that all three players had played a signal part in again bringing Britain into the forefront of tennis. In keeping with the importance of the occasion, the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association had made special preparations for the accommodation of the public, and generally the arrangements worked well. No. 2 court had been subjected to special preparation, and although it appeared a trifle dead in the early part of the afternoon, due no doubt to rain last week-end, it played remarkably well, and at the conclusion of the matches, Perry expressed himself as well pleased with the court, stating that it had suited him to perfection. Interest in Perry. Chief interest undoubtedly centred in the appearance of Perry, who has won for himself recognition as the world’s second best player at the present time. His wonderful performances in the Davis Cup contests, his form at Wimbledon, and his subsequent remarkable success in the United States, where he annexed the singles title by defeating J. B. Crawford (Australia) in the final, were fresh in the minds of those present, and they followed Perry’s every stroke with the keenest interest. It was not to be expected that any of the visitors would be at the top of their form after a strenuous European and American tour, and the sea voyage to New Zealand, and especially as the games were of an exhibition nature, but during their appearances on the court yesterday afternoon, they revealed sufficient form to indicate to the public something of the ability which has place-l them in international class.

Perry has the reputation of playing a hard, attractive game, and while he was by no means extended in either the singles or doubles, he gave a finished display. He brought into play a wide range of strokes, his service and driving being particularly impressive. Only occasionally did he reveal the full power of his backhand, and when he did, he usually scored winners. Perry revealed his best form in his singles match with C. Angas, Canterbury champion, who came to Timaru to complete the team. In this game. Perry showed admirable court-craft. His placements were deadly accurate, and at times he had the New Zea-, lander properly on the run, and would gain the point with a beautiful crosscourt drive. Against such a redoubtable opponent, Angas gave a good display, and several times w f on hardfought rallies with nicely placed shots. His service was a strong point, and several times he aced both Lee and Wilde. While lacking the polish of the visitors, Angas revealed form which enabled all the games to be greatly enjoyed. Wilde was advertised to meet Angas in the first singles game, but the programme was re-arranged, and the youthful Englishman met his captain. He was not nearly as steady as Lee, netting and outing the easiest of returns. Wilde infused great energy into his service, playing both first and second balls with equal strength. He displayed some nice backhand shots, and in the doubles excelled at the net, giving the brightest exhibition of the lot. Lee also gave a fine display in the singles, winning his game somewhat easily. He did not show up in the doubles, repeatedly double-faulting ana netting from the base-line. Match Results. The matches resulted:— Singles. H. G. N. Lee beat F. H. D. Wilde, 6- 6-0. F. J. Perry beat C. Angas, 6-4, 6-2. Doubles. Perry and Angas beat Lee and Wilde, 7- 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-2. Opening Singles. Lee and Wilde provided the opening singles match. Lee gained the initial point with a beautiful passing shot, but Wilde evened with a pretty cross-court drive. The game twice went to deuce before Lee left his opponent standing with two powerful forehand drives. Wilde was forced to remain on the base-line during the next game, which Lee also annexed with well-judged drop shots. Wilde took the next game on his service to 15, displaying better judgment in his driving. A succession of errors cost Lee the next game, but he quickly ran to a 4-2 lead breaking through Wilde’s service, and raking the side-lines with nicely-placed drives. Wilde recovered to force Lee to adopt defensive tactics. The English captain adroitly turned defence into attack, and a keen struggle ensued, with Lee eventually increasing his lead to 5-2. In the next Lee twice tipped the net with his service, his third dropping low. He won his way through to set point, but failed to pick up a hot return. Wilde collected the game, and the next went to Lee after two deuces, giving him the set 6-3. Wilde somehow seemed unable to settle down to accurate driving, repeatedly netting both his forehand and backhand shots. Manoeuvring Wilde nicely into position, Lee scored with powerful cross-court drives, and establisher a 3-0 lead. Still Wilde was unable to get his returns over, the ball repeatedly catching the top of the net. Lee took the next two games in easy fashion, and conceded only one point in the final game, giving him six games in a row.

Perry Beats Angas. The brightest match of the afternoon was undoubtedly that between Perry and Angas. Although the Englishman won in straight sets, there were times when the Canterbury champion had his opponent on his mettle, and it was during these periods that Perry revealed his ability. Generally, Angas w»as able to cope with Perry’s service, but his slow returns gave the visitor ample opportunity to rake the court with sparkling drives. First one side and then the other Angas would dart, finally to be beaten with a stinging cross-court shot. Perry did not have matters all his own way, and more than once he was beaten by brilliant placements. Perry took the first game on Angas’s service, but Angas then broke through Perry's service, and took the game to 15. In the next Angas failed to win a point, Perry driving to the back-line with great power. The fourth game was hard fought, with Angas returning everything. The game twdce went to deuce, Angas finally evening up on Perry’s errors. Lobbing accurately, Angas succeeded in keeping his opponent aw r ay from the net, where earlier he had displayed deadly accuracy. Driving to both sides, Angas gave Perry a little exercise, and assumed the lead 3-2. Having by now warmed up to his work, Perry divested himself of his sweater, and evened the games again on his service, Angas failing to annex a point. The Englishman won the next two games, running into a 5-3 lead, but Angas took the next, after giving a fine defensive display. Both revealed class tennis in the next game, a battle of tactics ending in favour of Perry, who took the set 6-4. In the second set, Perry established a 3-1 lead, mainly as a result of accurate placements, but he then outed several shots, enabling Angas to reduce the lead to 3-2. Perry had also to fight for the next game, after Angas had broken though his service. Solid driving to the base-line had Perry on the defensive, and Angas advanced to the net to meet a hot return and despatch it for a winner. Angas dropped his service, however, and Perry took two games in succession, and the set, 6-2. The Doubles. The doubles match was not as spectacular as the singles, although all four players showed flashes of individual and combined brilliance. Lee opened with a double fault to Perry, a performance he repeated on several occasions during the five sets. All four players netted easy returns, and after both sides had held the advantage, Perry failed to pick up a hot forehand drive by Lee, who gained the lead. Angas won the next on his service to Wilde, but the last-named, with accurate placements down the centre, had Perry and Angas confused,

and he and Lee again went into the lead. Perry annexed the succeeding two games, but Lee took the sixth to love on Perry’s service. The games alternated on the services until the score was 6-5 in Perry's favour, but he took the next on his own service, and the set 7-5. Perry and Angas quickly set up a 4-1 lead in the second set, the pair combining splendidly. They dropped the next two games, but took the set at 6-4 after their opponents had outed slveral shots. In the third set the games stood at three-all, and Lee then took the next on his service to love. Perry won the next and the games then alternated to 6-5, Angas dropping his service to give Lee the set at 7-5. Perry and Angas took three games only in the fourth set, but in the final set they again settled down to accurate play, winning 6-2.

Visitors Entertained. The visitors were entertained at dinner at the Grosvenor last night, after which a short toast list was honoured. The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) presided. In proposing the toast of the “English Team,” Mr A. N. Leslie said that the visit was outstanding in the annals of Timaru—South Canterbury had never had such talent in their midst as that day, when they had seen the world’s second player and Messrs Lee and Wilde in action. Such visits would be beneficial not only to New Zealand players who met the Englishmen, but to all who were interested in tennis. The visits would improve the standard of play until New Zealand would be able to enter a team for the Davis Cup. The authorities had that in mind, and he, personally, did not think the New Zealand players would disgrace themselves even if a team were entered at the moment. “You have made us all feel at home.” said Mr Lee in reply. He expressed pleasure at the enjoyable visit they were making, and regretted that they were unable to stay longer. He did not know who was responsible for the arrangements for the match and for the condition of the court, but everything had been perfect. Referring to the suggestion that New Zealand should enter a team for the Davis Cup, Mr Lee said F igland would be very pleased if that happened and said he was sure the team would be a formidable. one, even with the side they could field now. The Mayor said Timaru should feel honoured at having three players of the calibre of Messrs Lee, Perry and

Wilde in the town. 7 „'o of them had wrested the Davis Cup from France and taken it back to England, and of that New Zealand was very proud. He trusted that both players would be spared to play next year and to retain the trophy. Cheers were then given for the players. “You have made some very nice references to the Davis Cup," said Mr Perry. “Some have blamed it on to me and some have blamed both of us, but there were four men in that team and a non-playing captain." Mr Perry explained that the non-playing captain was just as important a member of the team as the players, and he attributed their success to the fact that they set out to get thi cup and stuck together until they had won it. They had set out to win it three years before, but had had one or two minor setbacks. This was their first visit to Timaru, and w'hile he and Mr Lee would not return, he thought that Mr Wilde probably would in the future.

The toast of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association was proposed by Mr G. F. Smythe, and was responded to by Mr R. Browning, who expressed appreciation of the arrangements made for the games. He had been connected with tennis organisations for a long time, but it was some time since he had seen such satisfactory arrangements. “In Angas I think we have a player who, given the opportunities of other players in other countries, would make a name for himself. He always gives of his best, and we in Canterburyare justly proud of him.” Mr Browning said he thought the time had come for New Zealand to enter a team for the Davis Cup. The governing body had been backward in taking its courage in its hands and staking its all on sending a team to England to compete. Unless New Zealand started soon she could not hope to achieve much in the tennis world, but he believed that visits such as that of the Englishmen would be the means of showing the governing body the need for doing something on the lines which had been suggested. To-day’s Activities. This morning the players will visit the Boys’ High School and in the afternoon will be driven to Mr J. F. K. Jamieson's property. They will leave for Christchurch on this afternoon's express. CIVIC WELCOME RECEPTION BY MAYOR. The international tennis players, H. G. N. Lee, F. J. Perry and F. H. D. Wilde, all of England, arrived in Timaru yesterday morning, and were met at the station by representatives cf the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association. The visitors were accompanied by Mr C. Angas, of Christchurch, who is in the first flight of New Zealand players, and Mr R. Browning, secretary of the Canterbury Tennis Association. Later the visitors were accorded a civic reception in front of the Municipal Chambers by the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite). The Mayor said that it was with great pleasure that he extended a civic welcome to the three well-known international tennis players. Mr Perry, as the public were no doubt aware, at present ranked as second player in the world, and he was mainly instrumental in winning the Davis Cup for England, it being the first time since 1912 that the Mother Country had held the Cup. His two companions, Messrs Lee and Wilde, also occupied a high status in the tennis world, and it was very fortunate that those interested in tennis would have an opportunity of seeing these players in action. Timaru was only a very small town, but it was a town of champions, having produced B. V. Wright, winner of the New Zealand amateur golf championship; J. E. Lovelock, w-orld mile record holder, who had learnt his running at the Timaru Boys’ High School; Bob Fitzsimmons, world champion boxer; and Dave Lindsay, Olympic representative swimmer. Then turning from athletics to horses, Timaru practically claimed Phar Lap, who was born and bred in the district. The Mayor added that the South Canterbury Tennis Association was deserving of congratulations on having arranged a visit by such renowned players, and he hoped that the visitors would enjoy their stay in the Dominion, and that they would have many pleasurable games. Captain Replies. Mr Lee, captain of the visitors, returned thanks for the welcome extended to the team, and said that they were all very pleased to be in a country about which they had heard so much. Previous visitors had spoken highly of the wonderful time they had had in New Zealand, and of the hospitality of the people. Mr Lee said he had to admit he did not know Timaru had produced so many champions. In fact, he had never heard of the town until he reached Wellington. The party were looking forward to an afternoon's enjoyable tennis. Mr G. F. Smythe, also welcomed the visitors on behalf of the Tennis Association, and apologised for the absence of the president (Mr Robt. Wilson). Mr Smythe said it was a red letter day in the history of tennis in Soutn Canterbury, for it was the first time an overseas tennis team had visited the town. They were the more fortunate in having received a visit from a team of stars. The speaker eulogised Mr Perry's performances in the Davis Cup and in America, and said that that day they were privileged to see him in the flesh. Cheers were given for the visitors and for the Mayor.