PEOPLE IN THE PLAY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30128, 11 May 1963, Page 9

PEOPLE IN THE PLAY

The former Auckland Wisden Cup badminton player, M. Cooke, who has been playing in tournaments in the British Isles during the last 18 months, is returning to New Zealand. Partnered by J. Robson, he won the North Island doubles title in 1960. 4* With five rounds in the Canterbury Men's Basketball Association’s A grade competition completed, W. Smith (University A) leads the point-scoring with 41. P. D. Dyson (Burnham) is second with * 37 and P. Simpson (Y.M.C.A.) and W. J. Dockery (Wigram) are

third equal with 34 points each. Dockery, who led until last week’s matches, has only played in three matches but comfortably leads the match average with 11.33 points.

Early promotion to the Western senior soccer team is forecast for a 20-year-old Borneo player, Philip Kim, who was recommended to the club by a master at Rongotai College, Wellington. Kim’s soccer talent has been likened to a former Western favourite, Hing Y Su, who played occasionally for University last season. Although only sft 7in, Kim wins heading duels with taller opponents because of his perfect balance and fine timing. * * * Miss S. Ryder, the former Essex and English International badminton player who has been in Wellington for about a year, will return home in September. Miss Ryder and Miss S. Cox, of Wellington, were a successful doubles combination in several British tournaments before coming to New Zealand. * * * The former New Zealand junior champion, and South Island representative, P. L. Mackenzie, was in particularly good form in the second series of A grade squash rackets inter-club matches this week. In the top position for Christchurch B, Mackenzie gave a ranked player, J. H. N. Pine, no chance with a brilliant display of winning shots. He made few errors and his consistent length was often too much for Pine, a renowned retriever.

The former University and Canterbury B wing, D. J Davison, has performe< well in his first matches in the Mid-Canterbury Union’ competitions. Playing fo Rakaia, Davidson secret five tries in his first two matches. Chosen for the New Zealand under 2! team to tour Japan from the University under 20 team in 1957 and later se lected for the Junior Al Blacks against the British Isles, Davidson did no quite fulfill his early pro mise, but he is a com petent player and should represent Mid-Canterbury this season. * * * One of the new caps in the New Zealand Rugby League team to tour Aus tralia, F. White, a 21-year old Waitara painter ant decorator, has experiencet a swift rise to the top Before taking part in the trial match last Saturday he had played only four games of league. A keen athlete. White has run 100 yards in lO.lsec.

Technical Old Boys have • produced soccer’s ABC ; this season with three ; members of the Chee ; family in their team. Regu- ! lars from last season, Alan 1 and Bruce have been ! joined by a third brother, • Colin. It must be several • years since a Canterbury ; soccer team fielded so I many from the same 1 family; probably the Smith I brothers of Western ! formed the last family • threesome.