LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 15

LAWN TENNIS.

Wellington Ahead of Auckland. WILDING SHIELD PLAY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 13. Wellington had a five to one lead over Auckland at the end of the day’s play for the Anthony Wilding Memorial Shield and the Kathleen Nunneley Casket. The courts at Miramar were in excellent condition and high-class play was seen by a good attendance of the public. At the end of the day’s play Wellington had a five to one lead in both events. Noel Wilson, in the shield matches, and Miss D. Howe, in the

Casket matches, were the only Wellington players to suffer defeat, the former’s defeat at the hands of H. C. Rowlands being a sensation. Miss Knight had a match point against Mrs Dykes in the second set and Alan Stedman had two match points in the second set against Don France. Both missed easy shots and ultimately lost the match. The Aucklanders lost all the doubles in both events. Following are the results:— Wilding Shield. Singles. C. E. Malfroy (Wellington) beat N. G. Sturt (Auckland), 6-4, 6-1. D. G. France (Wellington) beat A. C. Stedman (Auckland), 6-3, 6-8, 6-1. H. C. Rowlands (Auckland) beat N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington), 6-4, 2-6. 6-2. R. M’L. Ferkins (Wellington) beat M. M. Morrison (Auckland), 6-3, 6-2. Doubles. Malfroy and France (Wellington) beat Rowlands and Morrison (Auckland). 6-1, 6-4. Wilson and Ferkins (Wellington) beat Stedman and Sturt (Auckland), 6- 6-3. Nunneley Casket. Singles. Mrs H. M. Dykes (Wellington) beat Miss B. Knight (Auckland), 3-6, 8-6, 7Miss M. Macfarlane (Auckland) beat Miss D. Howe (Wellington), 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. Miss M. Whyte (Wellington) beat Miss J. Ramsay (Auckland), 6-4, 6-8, 6-4. Mrs D. G. France (Wellington) beat Mrs B. Napier (Auckland), 6-1, 6-0. Doubles. Mrs Dykes and Miss Howe (Wellington) beat Miss Ramsay and Mrs Napier (Auckland), 6-4. 7-5. Mrs France and Miss Whyte (Wellington) beat Miss Macfarlane and Miss Knight (Auckland), 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Stedman’* Defeat. It appeared that Stedman would play 34* °ver France, who monotonously mishit the former’s sizzling drives, his forehand drives to corners or netted his vollies or was clean passed down the side lines. Leading 6-3 in the second set and 40-15 in the ninth game, Stedman appeared all over a winner. In the third set Stedman could do nothing right under the relentless pressure of a brilliantly versatile France who never gave the Aucklander a chance to play his forehand drive, which is the greatest part of his game. Malfroy beat Sturt by brilliant volleying, compelling Sturt to remain on the back line playing a defensive game. Malfroy made the net his objective on every point and although passed brilliantly at times, held the advantage throughout. Won on Error*. Rowlands won on Wilson’* errors, mainly in the net. He kept a good length and pace, Wilson futilely trying to play a rising ball. To receive Rowland’s service, Wilson stood inside the base line and made a sheaf of errors. Rowland had Wilson on the defensive throughout, forcing the pace with deep fast drives. Wilson’s service held no terrors for him. Rowlands led 5-0 in the first set and had six set points before ultimately getting it. Even when Wilson won the second set, he appeared anything but confident. Ferkins outplayed Morrison by greater steadiness, the Aucklander finding the net repeatedly on easy forehand drives. Ferkins used the court to the full, placing accurately. Doubles Matches. By brilliant lobbing and volleying and smashing, Ferkins was chief architect in Wellington’s victory in the doubles, Wilson, his partner, making numerous volleying mistakes. Stedman and Sturt were very poor overhead and in volleying. Malfroy and France were superior in all departments against Rowlands and Morrison. Rowlands was deadly overhead for the Aucklanders, but the latter’s combination was poor. Nunneley Casket. Miss Knight Rlayed brilliant tennis to nearly beat Mrs Dykes, having match point in the second set. For the first two sets, she dominated play from the net, causing Mrs Dykes to chase over the court and frequently lose a point by driving into the net. When she failed to clinch the match in two sets, : Miss Knight began to weaken in her volleying and smashing. Mrs Dykes was making mistakes on her ground strokes through hitting too early and 1 the match really resolved itself in the third set into a question who would make less mistakes, the volleyer or the driver. Lacking more the will to win. Miss Knight was the one to make most 1 mistakes. Praise must be given to Mrs Dykes for the way she used the lob. Miss Knight making more errors than .usual overhead. A Stern Struggle. ' Miss M. Macfarlane and Miss D. i Howe fought a long base-line duel, the ; Aucklander losing the first set because she could not deal with Miss Howe’s ’ cut drive, which was carrying plenty of i pace and shooting into the corner. Her ; greater strength and stamina gave Miss Macfarlane the advantage thereafter, Miss Howe losing much of her pace and her length. Miss Macfarlane belted to the corners, causing Miss Howe to defend, which she did strongly. Miss Macfarlane won many points with stinging cross-court drives to Miss Howe’s forehand corner. Miss Howe showed cleverness in dropping balls short, which gave her vital points. Quickly Decided. Mrs D. G. France swept all over Mrs B. Napier with a steadiness of play that lost few points. Knowing that she could not win on patience, Mrs Napier tried to force the issue, but was unable to keep the ball in the court. The match was quickly over, Mrs France playing easily her best game this season. " Miss Margaret Whyte fought a stern driving battle, occasionally volleying for winners from the net against the cut stroke artist. Miss Ramsay. At no stage could Miss Whyte afford to let up, as Miss Ramsay was ever a determined fighter. Miss Whyte concentrated mainly on Miss Ramsay’s backhand, the Aucklander mistiming on that wing hackly. Miss Ramsay also made the mistake of remaining about the service line, being caught by the ball at her feet. Women’* Doubles. Mrs Dykes and Miss Howe were too good a combination at the net for Miss Ramsay and Miss Napier, who are not an ideal combination. The volleying of the Wellingtonians found big holes in : the opposition court. An unexpected registered by Mrs France and Miss Whyte over Miss Macfarlane and Miss Knight, the Auckland first pair. They won through steady base-line play, In which Mrs France's lobbing was a feature, and brilliant volleying and smashing interludes by Miss Whyte when she went to the net.