New Britain herald., 1927-08-10
HELEN WILLSIS
PICKED FOR team
Selections for International Net
Crews Being Made
BY MARY X. BROWNE

nlten PFeSS special StaH GORE
spondent
Copyright 1927 by United Press)
New York. Aug. 10 (UP)-Helen
Wills, our pride and hope. stepped
upon the turf at Forest Hills at
the command of the international
team committee. She was smiling,
and literally eyuberant, easily out
shining all the others upon the
court. To those OF us who have
known Helen from the time that she
picked up her first racket, she had
never appeared in better form or
better spirits.
The weather man had a change
of heart yesterday and lent a help
ing hand to the selection com nit
tee. AS the result of series of
doubles matches some elimination
was accomplished though no actual
selection was made. Mrs. Corbiere
and Margaret Blake, both of Boston
were dropped from further trials.
for this year at least they are out
but Margaret Blake is a conner and
should take her place on the team
another year.
Molla Mallory was again tried for
doubles with Helen Jacobs. Their
showing was very poor and resulted
in Molla Mallory being eliminated
though she still seems secure in her
second singles position. Molla has
no net game and is at d distinct dis.
advantage in doubles.
This leaves in the running Helen
Wills, Mrs. Mallory, Helen Jacobs
Mrs. Wightman, Mrs. Chaplin, Miss
Goss and Penelope Anderson. Helen
Jacobs will play a test singles match
with Penelope Anderson on the sta
dunn courts at $50 today. Miss An
derson has a win over Helen Jacobs
in the recent Easthampton tourna-
ment and Nip" Anderson as she is
affectionately called. has a right tc
trial for third singles position.
doubt. very much. however if she
will succeed in dislodging Helen ia
cobs.
I was disappointed not 70 sec
Helen Jacobs tried with Helen Wills
yesterday. because I am still of the
opinion that they would make suf-
fiCiently strong team to win the first
doubles. And by leaving Charlotte
Chaplin upon the second combination
it would materially strengthen us at
that equally important point.
I am not, blind to the fact that
Helen Jacobs is not as good at dou-
bles as she is at singles but combir-
ed with Helen Willis brilliant play,
she would. I am sure, arise to the
occasion Helen Jacobs has fine
tournament presence and a good
competitive spirit. Her service is
severe and she is good at volleyine.
She fills often at return Of service
because she tries for placements in
stead of getting tho ball in play, a
most important part Of doubles tao
tics. Helen Jacobs needs coaching
and Just this sort OF experience. I
feel that it is a shame to neglect
this opportunity
Mrs. Chaplin is az the height Of
her game and is playing beautiful
doubles. She has always been a
brilliant vollier but this year her re-
turn of service has become reliable
and resulted in very marked i'm
provement in her game.
Mrs. Wightman is scheduled to
play a test match today paired with
Helen Wills. They will take on Mrs.
Chaplin and Eleanor Goss. This
match should give a good line on
Mrs. Wightman's 1927 playing form.
She has not played upon the team
since 1925. Should Mrs. Wightman
fail to produce her brilliant game of
the past, it is not unlikely she will
give way to the greater skill of youth
and be content upon the side lines
us the playing captain.
The English team INDUCED in
some spirited practice. Joan Fry
had a short session against Mrs.
Godfree in singles and though no
score was kept Miss Fry was getting
the best of many rallies and looked
to be q very much stronger player
than she was two years ago in this
country.
Mrs. Godfree. on the other hand.
looked no better than her former
self. in fact she appeared slower,
while Helen Wills has speeded up.
These two have been closely matched
in the past but / anticipate a deci-
sive victory for Helen Wills when
they moct on Saturday.
Mrs. Hill and Miss Sterry of the
English squad. paired together in a
practice double against Mrs. God
free and Miss Harvey. The latter
team easily kept the upper hand.
This combining of the English play
ers would give the entire team the
responsibility of at least one match,
with the burden of three matches
falling on Mrs. Godfree and two
singles for Joan Fry and one single
for Betty Nuthall,
Mrs. Hill played very steady
game and heady game of doubles,
which is the English long suit. She
will make the going very hard for