Badminton HIGGINS WITHDRAWS FROM FINAL

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 19

Badminton HIGGINS WITHDRAWS FROM FINAL

AUCKLAND, June 17. The withdrawal of the New Zealand champion, D. B. Higgins, with a severe headache on Saturday night, deprived the New Zealand badminton trials of what promised to be an exciting and significant singles final. He was due to play J. E. Robson. The two had not met since Higgins’s sensational victory over Robson in last year’s New Zealand championships. Robson had since strength-

ened himself with a hard season of tennis and his fitness was evident during the trials. His return to best form was the best aspect of the tournament. In reaching the final he beat the New Zealand representatives, O. Clegg (Taranaki) and A. Stephens (Waikato) respectively, by 15-3, 15-0 and 15-6, 15-0.

Two rivals, Mesdames Robson and V. Gow fought out the women’s singles. After Higgins's withdrawal, an exhibition doubles final was played in which Robson and K. Long were beaten by Lee Tuck Chew and G. Hinton, the Otago pair, who had taken a game from the recent Malayan tourists. Results:—

Men's Singles. Semi-finals: J. E. Robson (Auckland) beat R Purser (Auckland), 15-10, 15-11; D. B. Higgins (Wellington) a bye. Final: Not played. Men’s Doubles. Semi-finals: Robson and K. Long (Auckland) beat Lee Tuck Chew (Otago) and D. Henderson (Canterbury). 15-3, 15-5; Higgins and G. Hinton (Otago) beat Purser and O. Clegg (Taranaki). 10-15. 15-9, 15-10. Finals (exhibition): Lee Tuck Chew and Hinton beat Robson and Long. 21-16.

Women’s Singles.—Semi-finals: Mrs V. Gow beat Miss G. Tompkins (Wellington), 11-6, 11-0: Mrs H. Robson a bye. Final: Mrs Robson beat Mrs Gow, 12-9. 11-0.

Women’s Doubles.—Mesdames Robson and Gow beat Misses H. Read (Manawatu) and S. Johnston (Wellington), 15-1. 15-5: Misses Tompkins and M. Moorhead (Taranaki) beat Misses B. Dent (Hawke’s Bay) and J. Clegg (Taranaki). 15-4, 15-7. Final: Mesdames Robson and Gow beat Misses Tompkins and Moorhead. 15-6, 15-12.

Mixed Doubles.—Purser and Miss Moorhead beat Long and Mrs Gow 15-11, 15-3; Robson and Mrs Robson a bve. Final: Robson and Mrs Robson beat Purser and Miss Moorhead. 15-11, 15-8.