Top Seed Survives Stern Challenge

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 14

Top Seed Survives Stern Challenge

An intense challenge to the top seed, P. V. Boatwood, from the third ranked player, D. B. Reid, produced an exciting match in the semi-finals of the men’s singles event at the Canterbury badminton championships. Reid led, 14-8, in the deciding set but although he held five match points he was unable to secure victory. Boatwood. showing determination and concentration, drew level and eventually won, 17-15. In the first set Boatwood was content to wait for an opportunity to use his strong smash. Re continued in the same vein to lead 5-0 in the second set. Then Reid found his old touch, and with deceptive drops snd smashes, combined with perfect cleors, he swept througth to take the set, 15-10. Reid, in complete control, led 8-3 and then 12-5 in the third set, and looked as though he would causd the major upset of the tournament when he reached 12-5 in the third set and looked as though' he would cause the major upset of the tournament when he reached 14- But Boatwood slowly crept up to 14 all. Reid led 1-0 tn setting, but Boatwodd, with better fitness in the dosing stages, edged him out. 17-15. Boatwood's opponent in the final will be A. G. Duckmanton. who beat E. Ogier in an uninteresting match Ogier led often in the first set, which Duckmanton won, 15-9, mainly because of good length clears and better control round the net. The second set followed the same pattern, with Ogier ruining the advantage of an early lead by hitting the shuttle continually out of court. It was only Ogier's concentration which let him down, for he was equal to any shots his opponent played. Results of semi-finals were: OPEN Men’s Singles.—P. V. Boatwood beat D. B. Reid. 15-12. 19-15, 17-15: A. G. Duckmanton beat E. Ogier, 15-9. 15-5. Women’s Singles.—Miss S. Fields beat Mrs M. Miller. 110. 11-8; Miss N. Baty beat Mrs M. Brown, 11-5, 9-12, 11-5. Mjn's Doubles.—P. V. Boatwood and B. Crofts beat D. B. Reid and R. K. Macefield, 17-15. 15- A. G. Duckmanton and B. Wylie bt at E. Ogier and T. Bradbury, 15-9, 15 2. Women’s Doubles. —Mrs M. Miller and Mrs P. Duckmanton beat Miss N. Baty and Miss M. Witsen. 15-11. 15-10; Miss J. Davidson and Mrs M. Brown beat Mrs D. Creasey and Miss E. Reaston, 15-10, 15-10. Mixed Doubles—A. G Duck-

m*nt<>n and Mn M. Miller beet R. K. Macefield and Mies E Reaston. 15-4. 15-4; P. V. Boat wood find Mrs M. Brown beat D. B. Reid and Miss N. Balv, 15-3, 13-4. B GRADE Women's Singles.—Miss s Dench beat Mrs C: Gregory, n s. 11-3; Mrs C. Newton beat Miss S. Ching. 11-1. 11-8. Men's Doubles.—K. Speedv and M. Berkley beat R. Stanton and R. Seilia. 15-4, 18-15: T. Bradbury and R. Blunt beat p Small and K. Martin, is•». 18-13 Mixed Doubles.—S. Clarke and Mrs P. Boatwood beat M. Sullivan and Mrs M. Faulls. 15-0. 15-8; T. Bradbury and Miss E ■Reaston beat W. Fox and Mrs D. Creasey, ’ 18-14, 15-5. Men’s Singles.—W. Edgecumbc beat D. Wadman, 15-10. 15-8: S Clarke beat R. Stanton, 15-11. 15-19. JUNIOR Boys' Singles.—A. Karst beat I. Stanton, 15-4. 15-1; G. Miller beat M. Carson, 15-3, 15-4 Girls’ Singles.—Miss S. Dench boat Miss N. Olliver. 11-41. 11-3 Miss L. Gibson beat Miss S. Ching, 11-8. 11-5. Mixed Doubles. —R. Miller and Miss P. Bourke beat A. Karst and Miss B. Sugden, 1512. 15-7 G. Miller and Miss S. Dench beat I. Star.ton and Miss S. Ching, 15-8. 15-5.