TABLE TENNIS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14431, 1 August 1947, Page 5

TABLE TENNIS

FIXTURE WITH Y.M.C.A.

CLUB

Comments On Visiting

Players

High Standard Of Play Anticipated

(By "Topspin")

The Bay of Plenty table tennis team again excelled themselves by defeating the East Waikato" representatives last Saturday. Their win by 83 games to five is an indication of the general superiority of local players to those of other minor associations.

The East Waikato Association fielded a good men's "A" team. Early in the evening they gave a poor display, perhaps because of the high reputation that the Bay players have in that locality. However, as the evening proceeded they lost all traces of nervousness and played some really good table tennis. On several occasions the spectators applauded players at the conclusion of hard-fought and keenly-contested games.

In the women's teams, Bay of Plenty showed a definite superiority in all branches of the game. The Waikato players lacked, in most instances, winning drives and defence. In the men "B" games the Bay players were never extended, winning all their games in the singles events by two straight sets. In the doubles play the Waikato players gave a better exhibition, but the Bay players are usually superior in doubles play, and lost only one game in the 24 doubles contested. Visit of Y.M.C.A. Teams , Tauranga is indeed fortunate to have a visit from one of New Zealand's strongest clubs. This match, arranged between Y.M.C.A. Auckland and Bay of Plenty, will be the biggest and highest class exhibition of play yet to be staged in this town. All players throughout the district should not miss this opportunity of seeing in action some of New Zealand's leading players. Included in the visiting team is perhaps the best-known player in this country, Frank Paton, for many years holder of the Auckland championship title and a present Auckland representative player. This season Paton has defeated the present New Zealand champion, K. Cantlay. Paton captains the men's "A" team, which to date is undefeated in the Auckland competition. Derek Hurdley, second man for Y.M.C.A., is an ex-Wellington representative player, and to Auckland critics he was unfortunate in not gaining a place in Auckland's representative team which played Wellington for the Gordon Cup last Saturday. Harry Meltzer, third player, was the winner of the 1940 New Zealand junior singles championships and- Alan Wilkinson, fourth player in the "A" team, plays ir. the Auckland "B" grade. He has not been defeated in competition play this season. Zena Swanson, captain of the women's "A" team, is the present holder of the Auckland women's singles championship and doubles championship. Barbara Sherlock, playing; second for Y.M.C.A,, is today classed as Auckland's top playe;r. It will be. interestihg to see how the,.ybung players in the Bay of Plenty women's, team: will ifare against these top-flight players. j In the women's "B" team is Evelyn Atj;wood, the w,ell-lthpwh Auckland tennis player.; Many Tauranga followers of sport have seen her in action on the Tauranga tennis courts. She is also a good expontable tennis. 'The Y.M.C.A. men's "B" team remains undefeated in "B" grade competition in Auckland. They should, however, be fully, extended against the strong Bay "B" : team which includes the Nicholas brothers, wellknown for their tricky spin services. The Y.M.C.A. team; is undoubtedly one of New Zealand's strongest.

Those Bay of Plenty players who recently toured Wellington will know what standard of piayer they will be competing against. They will have the advantage of playing in their own town and it is expected that they will not concede any easy victories to the experienced Auckland players. In the "B"-and "C" teams, Tauranga players should do well. In the "A" teams it is not expected that the Bay players will win many matches, but they will give the "same high standard of perform-, ance as in all their representative games. , _-. v -