The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
G. COBURN
MOVES INFORMAL
OF SQUASH EVENT
Defeats ID. s. Baker Easily
in National Handicap
Tourney.
WINS IN STRAIGHT GAMES
Loser Is Decidedly Off Form.
and Match Lacks Inter
eStino Rallies.
WINS IN STRAIGHT GAMES
Nv SAMUEL }. BRooKMAx.

1t was decidedly an off day for d. s.
Baker of the Yale Club when the ELI
graduate met Ralph c.. Coburn of the
Harvard Club in the semi-final round
Of the national squash tennis handi-
cap yesterday. His play was not with
in fifty per cent. of the form he is
capable of. so that instead of the
closely fought match that had been
anticipated the contest at the Harvard
Club ended i'm a rather one-sided vic
tory for the Harvard man. The scors
was 15--6. 15-7. $50, the winner
playing from minus aces and Baker
from scratch.
Undoubtedly Coburn's speed and skill
full placing had a lot to do with throw
| ing the Yalensian off his game. Time
and again he was caught out Of posi-
/ ton. Coburn choosing his strokes with
| splendid judgment But there was no
accounting for the fact that Bakers
! stroking lacked its customary smooth
ness and control and that he frequently
/ failed to take advantage of his long
/ reach in following the hight of the ball.
The bound of the ball off the side walls
appeared to bother Baker a good deal.
/ The walls had bean oiled the night be-
fore and some oVerzealous employee or
the club had not spared any oil in the
operation. According to many in the
gallery the ball skidded strangely as II
glanced off the wall and ii took pretty
sharp pair of eyes to meet ii properly.
Baker complained Of it good naturally
once or twice. but grew more accus-
toned TO IL as the match progressed.
Apparently it did not give Coburn any
trouble.
All In all, the match was one OF the
poorest of the tournament and the
largest gallery of the week was on hand
10 see IT, The rallies were surprisingly
short first, because of lack of control on
Bakers part and, second, because both
men wasted little effort in safe returns.
trying for kills at every opportunity
In the latter respect Coburn was by far
the more successful. Coburn's play had
the merit OF being slSllful and versatile,
if not particularly steady. There was
a good deal Of unintentional interference
in every game and let's had 20 be called
with n frequency that is unusual.
Eight Aces i'm One Hand.
| Coburn's most prolific single hand OF
! the match was the last In the opening
! game when. with the score 70 In his
| favor and play Interestingly close up to
]
aces and reached the score necessary to
end the game in his favor In the sec
4 ond game Coburn ala all his scoring in
/ the five hands. his runs being .. 3 j.
and . In the final game Coburn's pest
/ effort was his scoring OF six aces in the
fourth hand. The squirt placed him IN
the lead and he was never headed al
though Baker improved toward the end
/ and forced Coburn TO extend hlnsll I"
/ hold his advantage.
ono thing Is certain that in the final
/ round OF the tournament. which is to be
/ played tomorrow. beginning at . 4. NJ
/ C'oburn. DESPITE his rather easy victory
I viii have to show considerable improve
I ment 10 beat r. Earl Fink OF the Cres-
/ cent Athletic Club provided the latter IL
PLAYING his usually effective game
Fink's work all through the tournament
and through the season I'm fact, has been
| consistently good and his all around
speed and effectiveness appears 10 De
. innproving with every match. Although
J Coburn who was placed tenth In national
rank. rated higher than Fink last winter
} the Crescent mans work this season has
been SO much more impressive that ne
has been competing from minus aces
In the national handicap. while Coburn
has started from minus aces. Fink.
therefore. will be conceding his rival
points a game.
( The first half Of the metropolitan team
SQUASH tcnnis championships in Classes
A and Il will be completed this week.
/ following which there will be a lull OF
two weeks over the holidays. At present
I Harvard Club is the only unbeaten team
in Glass A. and Vale Club. with I've
/ straight victories holds q commanding
/ advantage in class J..