The New York herald., 1922-12-03
SQUASH CHAMPION
EXTENDED TO WIN
Thomas r. Coward Forced
Into Extra Games by
Armin w. Riley.
by SAMUEL J. BRooKMAN.

II Thomas r. Coward, national anna
teur champion. expected TO approach
his best speed loisurely in the open
tournament of the National Squash
Tennis Association which began on
the courts of the Yale Club yesterday.
he had good cause after only few
minutes play to change his mind as
to his intentions and his tactics. The
champion began placing skillfully and
changing pace without any effort to
bring his customary terrific smash
into play, but before he realized the
strength of his opponent. Armin W.
Riley of the Princeton Club, the lat
ter had rushed into a long lead and
had taken the opening division Of
play at 15-10.
Toward the end OF that game Coward
was beginning to get into his best stride
and to inject great power into his low
straight wall smashes and corner slams,
but Riley. playing his best squash in
four seasons. was doing some great
getting at that stage. and despite the
whirlwind speed OF the rallies was
maneuverlng craftily and catching the
champion out OF position as often as
Coward caught him flatfooted.
Pace Grows swiftcr.
1t was only question OF whether
Riley could maintain the pace. The
question was answered early In the
second game when Coward II anything
round a greater reserve or speed and
power and fairly made the ball whistle
as IL shot around the four walls. Riley
was on his toes and by some great lung
ing and plunging managed TO keep UP
with the ball for a while-not long
enough, however. to prevent .5e tide OF
tho match from turning. Coward grew
swlfter, steadier and more confident
with every rally and Riley found the
pace finally too much for him. The
score ended l0---l5, 15--7. 16--7 In
favor OF the champion.
The contest was easily the most spet-
tacuiar of the first and second rounds
OF the tournament. which. by the way.
was won by Coward year ago. II was
ono of the three matches during the
day that required more than two garnrs
for completion. Among tho contenders
who advanced with Coward were
AuRuete y. COTulcr, national tltienOiucT
two years ago Harold Mixsell OF the
Princeton Club. Charles NJ Bull. Jr., and
Y. Earl Fink OF the Crescent Athletic
Club and Livingston Platt. Yale Club,
all Of whom are llsted in the country's
firs, ten at squash tennis.
Coward was not tho only top notcher
ho was extended 10 win. Charles NJ.
Euil. Jr.. had very little 10 spare in
beating Otis Guernsey, the former Yale
football star. By score OF iS-i3. s-l5,
i5-la. After "A comparatively slow
start. Guernsey came with n rush, won
the second game easily and fought his
opponent tooth and nnil for the lead in
the third. In the final game the Yale
man came from behind and brought the
score from Til 20 i2--l3. but the faliv
was Just too short OF victory. Rail
sieadicd wen In the last few hands and
by somc daring shots Just over the tell
talc and somc truly brilliant court COW
ering earned the two points necessary
TO complete the match In his favor.
Douglas NJ. Bomeisler. former ALI
America end at Yale. scored with sur
prisng ease over John Taylor OF tho
Princeton Club. the score ending i5-i1,
> Confined on Page Seven.