Robsons Not Selected For Badminton Tour

Press, Volume C, Issue 29560, 8 July 1961, Page 5

Robsons Not Selected For Badminton Tour

’THE New Zealand badminx ton team which will leave for Australia this month, will have a very hard task in its attempt to regain the Whyte Trophy, for competition between the two countries. With so many leading players not available for this tour, the team does not look capable of giving the Australians a good match. The absence of J. E. Robson and Mrs H. Robson has seriously weakened the team. The Robsons were not available for the series of special trials held in Wellington at the Queen’s Birthday weekend. It is understood that as they did not attend those trials, they were not considered to be available for the tour. History The Robsons are a part of the history of New Zealand badminton. J. E. Robson has won the national men’s singles title on nine occasions, and Mrs H. Robson has won three national women's singles titles. They would have been w’orthy leaders of the team to go to Australia. How far they are above those chosen to make the trip is clearly shown by the results of recent inter-provin-cial matches. The top players in the team are D. B. Higgins < Wellington) and Mrs A. Stephens (Waikato). In recent weeks Robson beat Higgins, 15-8. 15-5, and Mrs Robson beat Mrs Stephens. 11-2. 11-4.

With other experienced players. P. D. Skelt, Miss S. Cox and Mrs G. Middelberg also not available for this tour, several lesser players have received their chance. Of the other six players N. R. Thompson, Mrs V. Gow and Miss E. Meyer are experienced in international competition, while K. H. Long, R. Purser and Miss M. Moorhead will be representing the Dominion for the first time. Thompson, who will captain the side, made the last trip to Australia in 1957. Unfortunately he was prevented by influenza from showing his best form either on the tour or in the New Zealand championships on his return. This Southland player is wellknown for his doubles ability, and this may well be his year. Mrs Gow and Miss Meyer were both members of the New Zealand team which made such a successful tour last season in the Über Cup competition. However, they were in that team for their ability at doubles, playing with Mrs Robson and Miss Cox respectively. How they will fare with lesser partners is a matter for conjecture. Two seasons ago Miss Moorhead looked an outstanding prospect, but her play last year did not show so much progress. In the recent Wellington trials she did well enough to gain selection ahead of two former international players, Miss G. Tompkins and Mrs A. Butterworth.

At 21, she is by far the youngest member of the women's team. Purser and the left-handed Long, aged 19 and 23 respectively, may be expected to show improvement as a result of this tour. They are members of the very strong Auckland team which has dominated the North Island interprovincial competition this season. The New Zealanders will split into two groups for most of their time in Australia. In one group will be Long, Purser, Mrs Gow and Miss Moorhead, while Higgins, Thompson, Miss Meyer and Mrs Stephens will tour in the other group. The two will come together for the last match of the tour, the Whyte Trophy fixture at Adelaide on August 4 and 5.