BADMINTON FINAL WON BY AUCKLAND

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 20

BADMINTON FINAL WON BY AUCKLAND

Superiority in the mixed doubles enabled Auckland to beat Canterbury, 9-7, in the national final of the division II badminton competition in the Skellerup Hall on Saturday night.

With all but the mixed doubles played, the score was tied at six matches all. Auckland gained the upper hand by winning three of the remaining four matches: it conceded the fourth when B. Farnell tore an achilles tendon when Auckland led 12-11 in the first set. This was Canterbury’s fourth successive appearance in the national division II final, and it was easily its best effort. In the previous three years it has not won more than two matches in the final. Waikato (twice) and Wellington were its conquerors. This year Auckland had Wellington as its only rival in the North Island section.

In the men’s matches Canterbury had a decided advantage, but Auckland was much better in the women’s section. The play of the Auckland women at the net in the mixed doubles tipped the scales in their team’s favour at the vital stage. Edgecumbe Outstanding

The Canterbury No. 1 man, W. Edgecumbe, gave an outstanding display in beating the leading Auckland player, J. Rowe. Edgecumbe bent the shaft of his racquet in the second set but was so eager to get on with the game that

the damage had to be pointed out to him. In the deciding game, Edgecumbe gained six points on his first serve. His great reserves of stamina were evident as he overcame Rowe to win impressively, 15-1. Auckland’s only victory in the men’s matches was gained by the seasoned A. Garnier in his singles with R. J. Miller. But, even then, Gamier had to fight hard to earn a close decision from the energetic Miller. In the second set Miller improved from 4-14 to 14-all, only to lose in the setting.

The position Was reversed in the women’s matches. The Auckland players had a marked advantage and only Canterbury’s new No. 4, Miss L. Tucker, was able to interrupt the sequence of Auckland wins.

Mesdames M. Miller and M. Wylie challenged Auckland’s superiority in the top women’s doubles match, but after leading 13-5 in the second set they were beaten without gaining another point. Results, with Auckland names first, were:— Men’s Singles.—J. Rowe lost to W. Edgecumbe. 15-11, 11-15, I- D. Stuart lost to D. B. Reid, 7-15, 13-15; A. Garnier beat R. J. Miller, 15-13. 17-15; B. Parnell lost to B. E. Wylie, II- 11-15. Women’s Singles—MissJ.

Firth beat Mrs M. Miller, 11-4, 11-6; Miss J. Elliott beat Mrs M. Wylie, 1-11, 11-3, 11-4; Miss K. Gilliam beat Miss E. Stevenson, 11-7, 11-1; Miss R. Mills lost to Miss L. Tucker, 3-11, 1210. 10-12. Men’s Doubles.—Rowe and Stuart lost to Edgecumbe and Reid, 11-15, 15-8, 6-15: Garnier and Parnell lost to Miller and WyMeT 7-15, 8-15. Women’s Doubles. Misses Firth and Elliott beat Mesdames Miller and Wylie, 15-1. 15-13; Misses Gilliam and Mills beat Misses Stevenson and Tucker, 15-7, 15-4.

Mixed Doubles.—Rowe and Miss Firth beat Reid and Mrs Miller. 15-9, 1-15, 15-9; Stuart and Miss Elliott beat Wylie and Mrs Wylie, 15-11, 11-15. 15-7: Garnier and Miss Gilliam beat Miller and Miss Tucker, 15-11, 15-10; Farnell and Miss Mills lost to Edgecumbe and Miss Stevenson, 12-15, 0-15.