Badminton N.Z. TEAM’S TOUR OF AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28343, 31 July 1957, Page 6

Badminton N.Z. TEAM’S TOUR OF AUSTRALIA

“Unlucky To Lose Test Series”

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. July 30 Given a little more luck. New Zealand could have won the recent badminton test series with Australia for the Whyte Clip, said the manager of the New Zealand team (Mr R. Gimblett) on his returnr to Wellington from Australia today. In five of the games in the test match there was only a three-point difference. Had J. E. Robson and L. Scott been available for the tour they could have bridged the gap in points, said Mr Gimblett. New Zealand must be given a good chance of taking the trophy next year as Australia would probably be losing some of their top-rankers through retirement. The Australian standard was high, but given a little more luck and no sickness in the team. New Zealand could have won the Whyte Trophy this time, he said. “I’m not making excuses,” he added New Zealand’s No. 1 player in the women’s section, Miss Sonia Cox, was "streets ahead” of the Australian women, he said. Mr Gimblett also said he was impressed with the play of A. L. Stephens, of Wellington, one of the surprise selections in the team. Stephens would be among New Zealand’s top-ranxing players in a couple of seasons, he forecast. Mr Gimblett gives the New Zealand side a good chance of winning the Thomas Cup round against Indonesia in a series to be played in Southland later this year. Both Robson and Scott will be available for this series. \ Portrait of Lord Rutherford The Canterbury Engineering Company’s gift of £ 100 for the general purposes of Canterbury University College will be used as the nucleus of a fund to obtain a portrait of Lord Rutherford of Nelson. The chairman of the college coupcil (Mr D. W. Bainl said that the portrait would probably cost about £250; but no decision oh who wo.ulcjl .execute i the commission and where it would be done would be made until the fund wm complete.