1938-03-30 — Page 18

THE CHINA MAIL MARCH 30, 1938

RUMJAHNS WIN SPARKLING MATCH

No Dull Moments Over Two Thrilling Sets

HUNG PROMINENT IN DASHING EXHIBITION

RUMJAHNS AS GOOD AS EVER (By "ADREM")

(S. A. and H. D. Rumjahn beat E. C. Fincher and W. C.,

Hung 6-2, 7-5.)

THE only disappointment I felt after leaving the Stand Court at the Hong Kong Cricket Club yesterday, was that the match I had just seen was not a final or semi-final..

W. C. HUNG

the others, and had little time for a j knock-up prior to the start,

INTERESTING SINGLES ENCOUNTER

To-day's Tennis Programme

An interesting match in the Open Singles Championship should be witnessed to-day when W. C. Hung meets G. Choa, the youthful Craigengower player, who pected to win.

The following is to-day's pro- grandme:-

Open Singles

M. W. Lo.

S. S. Hussain or H. Owen Hughes

W. C. Hang v. George Chos Club Handicap Singles E. A. Pearce (-15) v. L. R. An-

drewes (+3.6).

OLD BUGBEAR What I feel really wrecked his confidence was that old bugbear of his, his forehand drive. True he did get some very nice ones across but as the game progressed, so did this

H. D. Bidwell (−26) ▼ E stroke become more and more ten-Harrison (-5.6)– tative. In the latter stages be re- rerted to his slower but infinitely B. M. M. King and J. P. Muphy surer chop. His service was poor-son (-3.6).

|(scr.) v. J. J. Ferguson and J. M. Wi- so far as I can recollect he only J. Armstrong and M. H. Turner

Club Handicap Doubles

won one service game throughout (5/6) - G. W. Sewell and TC. though reliable, lacked sting, while N. LE Railton and Mrs. G. K the encounter his volleying, al Monaghan (-15).

Handicap Mixed Doubles

his smashing was as always, not Oliver (4.6) 7. Mr. and Mrs. C smashing but best described as Stark (16) overhead placing. ・・

A. T. Dow and Miss M. Corrighan THROUGHOUT A TOTAL OF ABOUT AN HOUR'S PLAY, because their methods being the

I have dealt with the losers first,-2/6) v. B. OM. Deane and Miss J.

Armstrong (-15). THERE WAS NOT A DULL MOMENT AND THOUGH THE RUM- more spectacular, their perform- JAHNS WOULD PROBABLY HAVE WON IN THREE SETS ances come more readily to mind. OVER THE LONGER DISTANCE, THE ENTERTAINMENT Full marks, however, must go to the WOULD AT LEAST HAVE BEEN PROLONGED.

+

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

DOUBLES

That the winners were goodĮ MIRIBATIARIAU value for their success there is little doubt. They played the steadier brand of tennis and were generally more reliable all- round, but Fincher and Hung the latter in particular

al- though their policy, obviously to try and win quickly, did not meet with success, gave a sparkling display and went down with colours flying.

stand out in

at

S. A. Rumjahn and H. D. Rumjahn beat E. C. Fincher and W. C. Hung 6-2, 7-5,

SINGLES

Leang Ping-chin beat S. W. Liang

6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Tsai Wai-pui beat W. Sander 6-1,

6-0 Paul Kong beat F. H. Kwok 6–2,

6 2

Several incidents my mind. A rally in the fourth game of the first set when drives. volleys, lobs and smashes all breath-taking speed, ended in a was not feeling as fit as he might badly-timed S. A. Ramjahn smash have been. I noticed that he ar- which went out of court to give rived in a hurry, rather later than Hung his second service success of

the afternoon.

Then there was that palpitating spell in the tenth game of the sec ond set when Fincher and Hung were leading 5-4 on "E. D's" ser- vice. Three times did they secure vantage after dence had been call- ed. Twice, when in this position, one or the other was in a position to end the rally with a "kill" and win the set. They failed, the Rum- jahns rallied, as only they are cap- able of doing, and the set and with it a possibility of the match, was saved.

WILLIE HUNG THE “STAR”

Of the players" yesterday, although H. D. Bumjahn gave a performance entirely typical of himself that is, unostentatious efficiency-1 thought that Willie Hung was the "star" of the match. I will go so far as to say that his form surpassed by a large margin, any he has yet produced in local competi- tive tennis.

As I have already remarked, the eventual losers were out for quick points and they were invariably carrying the battle into the enemy camp. This gave Hung his chance. It was quickly evident that he was seeing them well and he mixed matters with such joyous abandon that the Rumjakns in sheer self- defence, were obliged to seek out Fincher for their points.

The latter did not play badly but he gave me the impression that he

Rumjahns. In their "big" games in recent years, they have given an impression of shakiness in their first two sets. It was consequently logical to expect that Fincher and Hung, who both settle down rapid ly, might snatch two quick sets.

CONTENT WITH DEFENCE

Unnecessary to say now, they did not. The Rumjahns when in any doubt lebbed and they both did this with great 2ccuracy—and for long spells they were quite content to play defensively far beyond the baseline. Once they felt sure of themselves, they assumed the offensive and always looked like being the eventual winners. "HD." was the better of the two as he made a minimum number of

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errors and always made the most of his opportunities. “SA” was erratic on the backhand and his service was as unreliable as usual but his forehand driving left little to be desired, while his volleying retrieving and lobbing were beyond reproach.

I don't think the Rumjahns will beat the Tsui brothers, not because I feel they have deteriorated but rather that the latter have set a new standard which no other pair in Hong Kong, at the moment can Itouch.

THE PLAY:

Play was very even in the first set although the score suggests. otherwise. Fincher lost both his service games, while all the others won theirs so that was that!

In the second, Sirdar proved the guilty party at the outset, and drop" ped his service, and Fincher and Hung went to 4-1 HD. then won his, Teddy lost his and it was

Sirdar followed suit and the K.C.C. pair, leading 53 on Hungʼs ser- vice, appeared to have the set in their pockets. Hung failed and after the Rumjahns emerged successful from that epic tenth game, there was no further doubt and they went out at 15,

OTHER GAMES

On an outside court, S. W. Liang made Leong Ping-chiu go every inch of the way in a dour baseline duel. Liang was very impressive on the backhand and launched most of his attacks from that wing, but Leong's persistence and all- rouid reliability, carried him through

Paut Kong had many a long rally in his game with the temacions Frank Kwok but the latter's fine forehand drive failed to offset the

wide repertoire of strokes at A

command of the former China Davis Cup player.

Tsui Wai-pui had little difficulty against W. Sander and von for the |loss of one game. Sander revealed a useful drive on the forehand, but was no match for Hong potential champion.

Kong's