New-York tribune., 1918-02-16
Writer Captures First Two
Games, Only to Lose Last
Three Contests
BY A. c. Cavagnaro

Go;tfred Picl, jr., proved too clever
squash tennis player for Rex Beach.
the writer, in the final round match of
the Glass A handicap tournament at
tho New York Athletic Club yester-
day. The scores were SIS, 11-15,
E-5. l5-12. l5-12
Beach began in volcanic fashion. Win
ming the first two games by decisive
scores and assuming the lead in the
third game. AT this critica! moment
of the contest. Piel began to show the
souash that has earned him a high
nlace among Winged Foot players. Plac-
ING especial stress on cross court
attack and placement shots, Piel man
aged to pull out victory.
Fights TO End
Beach fought to the end, thrilling
the spectators by rallies that pulled
him within hailing distance of his rival
When the road appeared roseate 10 still
the speedily bounding ball and there
by lost chances to add to his score.
P;el had handicap of five aces in
each game, but. judging by the work
OF the men, this handicap seemed tc
be exceedingly generous. Piel showed
A wider knowledge of the game, and il.
general his play was superior to that
Of his rival. Beach, labor;ng undsr the
weight Of almost 200 pounds, relied
considerably on forehand drives. end
was loath to stand III the centre Of
the court and meet the ball His court
covering was better than Piel's, but
toward the end of the match Beach
was frequently caught mapping on
swift returns for placement shots along
the side wall.
In the recapitulaton of the points.
Beach is credited with scoring a total
of 49,. against SO actually collected by
his rival. Beach displayed better
ability to keep the ball above the tell
tale and within the boundaries of the
court. In several instances Beach
failed to return his opponents service
when it was legitimate. 1t was these
errors. coming in two instances at
crucial periods Of the match, that
counted heavily against him.
Beach settled the issue in the FIRST
game in six hands, scoring in each
inning. as Piel encountered difficulty
in keeping the ball above the tell-tale.
Pel failed to make a point, and he
also forfeited many aces by missing
his rivals front wall "kilIs.'
Plays Smashing Game
in the second game Beach continued
TO make the most of his smashing. snd,
pressing the play, counted points con-
sistently. Pel proved unable to
handle his bulky opponents swift
placement drives, although he forced
many rallies before yielding a point.
With the start of the third game
picl began to warm 10 his task. He
quickly added to his handicap, forcing
Beach far back in the ruck Beach
found 1t impossible to fathom his
rivals puzzling attack and had the
game chaked up against him.
In the fourth game Beach crept up
within striking distance OF his rival in
short order. It was now a fight for
every ace, and the pace was fast. Piel
vas interspersing his work with sem
satlonal gets and driving low Beach
then became erratic. driving into the
telltalc and permitting Piel to gain
lead of II to 5. Beach was still full of
hght, as was shown in the next hand
when he counted seven aces, placing
him in the lead by point.
This fine work by Beach went for
naught, however, when he again became
erratic, allowing Piel to collect his a
points IN the next two hands, only
point Of which was earned.
Piel again gained the jump in the
hfth game, having lead of II to a
after four hands of play. Beach was
showing signs of tiring and was often
being caught out of position. The
writer again rallied brilliantly after
Piel had assumed an advantage of IA
to 7. For three hands he kept Piel
scoreless, while he added five aces to
his score. Piel then collected his final
point when Beach drove the ball out
of court