Badminton NATIONAL TITLES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29608, 2 September 1961, Page 13

Badminton NATIONAL TITLES

Robson Beats Purser (N.Z. Press Association) moved one step closer to hl» tenth national badminton title when he beat R. H. Purser (Auckland) in a semifinal match of the men's singles at Epsom tonight. Robson, the top seed, won the match, 15-3, 12-15, 15-B, after patches of brilliance in the first and third games. Robson will now meet D. B. Higgins (Wellington) in the final tomorrow night. Robson gave Purser no chance to score in the first game, keeping him on the backline with well-placed shots. Robson led. 11-0, before Purser scored his first point. Purser surprised in the next game when he raced away to an eight-point lead and took the game, but Robson led, 10-3, after a service each in the last game and eventually won, 15-fi. Higgins, the No. 2 seed, was impressive in eliminating the Malayan, Lee Tuck Chew, in quick time, 15-«, 15-5. Hig?ins proved far too accurate or his young opponent. Miss G Tompkin (Wellington) .the No. 5 seed, and Mrs J. R. Robson (Auckland), the top seed, won through to the final of the women’s singles by beating respectively Miss P. Belton (Auckland) and Mrs -V. Gow (Auckland). In the semi-finals of the women's doubles, top seeds, Mrs Robson and Mrs H. Meyer (Wellington), were upset by the third seeds, Misses M. Moorhead (Taranaki) and Tompkins. Mesdames Robson and Meyer lost the first game, 17-16. after they had led, 1411. They took the second game, 15-3. but quick retrieving by Miss Tompkins put the younger pair ahead in the third game which they won, 16-9 In the other semi-final, the second seeds, Mesdames V. Gow and A. Butterworth (both of Auckland) had a quick win over Mrs A. Stephens and Mrs D. Hay (Waikato), 15-11, 15-2. Results were:— Men’s Singles J. R. Robson (Auckland) beat R. H. Purser (Auckland). 15-3, 12-15, 15-fl; D. B. Higgins (Wellington) beat Lee Tuck Chew (Otago). 156 ,15-5. Women’s Singles Mrs J. E. Robson (Auckland) beat Mrs V. Gow (Auckland), 5-11, 11-7. 11-4; Mrs G. Tompkins (Wellington! beat Miss P. Belton '(Auckland), 11-5, 11-0.