Foster Wins Table Tennis Title For Seventh Year

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31725, 8 July 1968, Page 13

Foster Wins Table Tennis Title For Seventh Year

(By Our Tobi* Tennis Reporter) Displaying his usual determination, the No. 1 ranked New Zealander for 1967, B. A. Foster, of Otago, won his seventh successive Canterbury open men’s singles title when he beat a former titleholder, V. N. Brightwell, of Canterbury, in straight games at Selwyn Street on Saturday.

Foster won a very open final, 21-18, 21-16, 22-20. Brightwell, who will be 42 In September, did exceedingly well to reach the final. Seeded No. 4, he was forced to play many long matches and a very nerve-racking semi-final against the No. 8 seed, W. T. Scott (Canterbury). Scott robbed the men’s singles of much Of its interest when he beat the No. 2 seed. Ling Nan Ming (Canterbury), 21-12, 23-21, 17-21, 21-14, in the quarter-finals. Scott’s tight defence and his ability to float the ball onto Ming's backhand enabled him to beat a disappointing Ming. It was expected that Ming would renew his struggle with Foster in the final—both players having won a match apiece in their previous encounters this season. The vastly experienced Mrs T. May, of Canterbury, beat Mrs R. Sunderland (Otago), seeded No. 5, in a very onesided women’s singles final, 21-9, 21-9, 21-14. Mrs Sunderland led 10-8 in the third game, but apart from this Mrs May always looked to havethe match completely under control Her hitting was accurate and against this Mrs Sunderland could do little. Mrs May’s toughest opposition on her "way to her third title came from the No. 8 seed, Mrs L. M. Barker (South Canterbury), in the semifinals. Mrs Barker’s patient game with the odd telling hit took Mrs May to five games, but Mrs May won the fifth decisively, 21-9. HOLDING BACK Although Brightwell hit and moved well. Foster always appeared to be holding something back, in the first game Foster led 17-16 without undue stress, but fighting play by Brightwell, who was hitting some good smashes, brought the game back to 26-18. Foster won 21-18, but in the second a surprisingly frosh Brightwell levelled the score at 16-all, Foster’s brilliant retrlevlng of Brightwell's hits took him to a 18-12 lead, and he won the game comfortably. Foster continued to hit some amazing returns, yards from the table, and his sound coun-ter-hlttlng had a desperate Brightwell floundering. Realising he had the match well tn hand Foster began to hit mere, and with some fine air-borne backhands Brightwell took a commanding lead, and It appeared that the contest would go to four game*. Foster cut his errors and levelled the scores at 26-alI, and went on to win 22-26.

Foster lost a game to B. T. Edward* (Canterbury) tri th* second round, but ho did not lose another until he beat an unusal, J. Armstrong, of Canterbury, seeded No. 3, In the semi-finals. Armstrong, who is basically a defensive player, seemed to be experimenting tor the bigger matches later in the season so he attempted to hit almost everything. He hit some grand winner* on occasions, as he caught Foster completely off balance, but he took his hitting too far. A* th* contest wore on he became 16s* discriminate. He deserved to win the second game 22-26, but from then on his hitting became almost reckless. When well down in th* fourth game he did not tighten his game, but continued to attempt winner* off serves. Scott, who has been available only for club matches, played only because he was asked by Foster to play with him in the doubles. His match with Brightwell was one where fortunes fluctuated almost at will. Scott won th* first end fourth games by big margins, and Brightwell the second and third game* by similar wide margins. Brightwell looked by far the worst for wear as they began the fifth, seott led n-s. but Brightwell, who had slowed, drew on all his flagging resources end experience against Scott’s unremitting defence to level the scoers st 13-all. Brightwell led 26-17 as Scott showed signs of "blowing-up," but a drippled shot from Scott and a serve that just nicked th* table helped Scott to get to 26. Brightwell bung on gamely to beat seott, who

showed that a splendid technique can often overcome lack of match practice. TWO FAILURES

K. J. Cassidy (Canterbury), seeded No. 7, and M. R. Spink* (Canterbury), No. 5, could not f:et past th* second round. The eft-handed M. J. Flewellen (Canterbury) accounted for Cassidy in four games. 24-22. 21-11 ,10-21, 25-23, and the New Zealand under-18 champion, R. Mitchell (Canterbury), was too powerful for Spinks. Mitchell went on to take a game off Armstrong in the quarter-finals, but Flewellen had no answer to Foster at th* same stage. Although not an attractive match, the closest Anal was the women’s double*. Mesdames May and J. G. Green (Canterbury), seeded No. 3. just managed to head the South Canterbury pair, Mesdames Barker and M. J. Brown, seeded No. 1, 21-15, 17-21, 21-14, 8-21, 21-15.

In the quarter-finals Misses M. P. Green and C. Taylor caused a sensation when they beat the second seeds. Mrs Sunderland and Miss C. Leith (Otago), one of the South Island's top combinations. 4-21, 21-17, 24-22, 15-21, 21-IS. This win Is very encouraging for the future because the pair are not experienced In the top company. Foster and Scott were not tested to beat Armstrong and Brightwell in the final of the men’s doubles. 23-21, 21-11, 2114. Foster was the dominant partner, but Scott kept the ball going as the pair retained their title. Brightwell and Armstrong made too many mistakes to be a threat.

Foster made a clean sweep of the events he entered when he combined with Mrs Sunderland to win the mixed doubles against B. G. Barker (South Canterbury) and Mr* Barker, 21-9, 21-12, 21-15. Th* Barkers tried herd, but were never In the hunt against a pair that mad* fewer errors.

The Barkers had played well earlier to beat the No. 2 seeds, Brightwell and Mrs Y. Boulton (Canterbury), In four games in the semi-finals.

The No. 3 seed. Ming and Mrs May. were beaten by P. J. Collett (Otago) and Miss Leith in the first round. Mrs Sunderland had to withstand a very determined Miss P. M. Shadbolt (Canterbury) In the second round of the women’s single*. She looked very shaky, but managed to win 21-11 in the fifth game. Later Mrs Sunderland accounted for th* No. 2 seed. Mr* Boulton, to reach the final. Results were (players coming from Canterbury unless otherwise stated):— Men Singles.—First round; B. Brown beat M. Boulton by default; R. L. Hulston beat A. Swanson. 21-19, 9-21, 18-21, 21-IS, 21-13; M. Duffy (Otago) beat B. Heseltlne, 21-11, 21-15, 21-15: B. G. Butler (South Canterbury) beat W. Cherry. 21-17, 21-18, 26-22, 11-21, 21-12; M. J. Flewellen beat p. Bowman, 21-16, 21-13, 14-21, 21-17; K. J. Cassidy beat J. Harliwich, 18-21, 17- 21-13, 21-11, 21-14; M. R. Spink* beat F. Fisher (South Canterbury), 21-15, 21-14, 21-18; R. Mitchell beat D. Foley (Marlborough), 21-15, 21-14, 21-18; P. Jelly beat M. Fowke (Marlborough), 21-18, 17-21, 21-18, 21-14; J. J. Weir beat H. F. Taylor, 19-21, 22-20, 21-13, 21-14; L. E. Vallanc* beat H. Sargent, 25-23, 21-19, 12-21. 21-16: L. stewart (Otago) beat T. Abernethy by default: B. ,T. Barker (South Canterbury) beat R. McLachlan by default; J. Armstrong beat D. J. Kalin by default; V. N. Brightwell beat D. A. ..Leong (Wellington), 21-14, ?l"’ 7 ; k 21 1’ 5: F. J. O’Gorman (South Canterbury) beat G. Main, 21-11, 21-15, 21-11; M. A. Cox beat Nesbitt, 21-15, 21-8, 16- 21-13; M. Warren beat G. Jourdan, 21-18, 21-17, 21-g; D. McKenzie (Marlborough) beat p. Berry (South Canterbury). 18- 21-18, 12-21, 21-19, 21-14;> J. Collett (Otago) beat A. Renwick, 21-15, 21-16 21-7; B. Beau- .?*.*? 5’ m-it, 21-18, 21-14; G. R. Saunders beat R. Hughes. 21-18, 21-17, 22-26; W. T. seott beat G. B. Allln. 21-8, 21-5, 21-9: N. B. Radford J Sheddon, 21-12, 21-14, 21-18: R B. McCallum beat J. Baxter. 21-17, 21-18, 21-14; N. J. ?, U H? r « b ,t at Green. 21-17, O v Kennard (South Canterbury) beat D. van der Linden, 21-18, 21-18, 21-15. Second Round.—B. A. Foster (ptego) beet B. T. Edwards. o 1 ??’ 2 J-»- M-»: Brown beat Hulston. 21-12, 21-13, 21-16; P. u «r «>»« B. G. butler, 21-17, y- 21 -.,, M-J 2 - 16-21. 21-18; flewellen beat Cassidy, 24-22, Mitchell beat J 1 ; 19 ’ 21 ’ 14 - W ’ S1 > ’’-SI. beat Je,| v. 24-22. 15-21. 18-21, 21.15, 21,15; Val•ence beat Stewart, 21-18, 21-14, 17- 21-14; Armstrong beat 21-19, 18-21, 21-10; Brightwell beat 2!-12, 21-10, 22-24, 2J-13; Cox beat Warren, 21-14 ?ef» 4 ’e?V« S '\. M < . Ken . z,e beat Col ’ ISJII 21 e?' 21-16, 21-5: Saunders beat Beaumont, 21-14, 21-19, S £ o,t . baat Radford, 21-15, McCallum hSS ei ® u * ,e T' 21-15, 21-14, 1?-21. 21-10; Kennard beat Chia K’h Ming, 21-17 21-18, 18-21. *,*ls beat E--21-14. . Third Round.—Foster beat Brown 21-8, 21-12. 21-10; Flewellen beat Duffy, 21-15 15-21, 21-18, 16-21, 28-21; Mltcheii beat weir, 15-21, 21-11, 22-20, ’••2,1. 21-15: Armstrong beat Vailance, 21-13. 21-8, 21-15; ® rl .Bhtwe n beat Cox, 21-11, 21-13, J?’?!’ b » at McKenzie. 21-15. 19-21, 21-11, 11.21, 21-14: Scott beat McCallum, 21-8, 21-8, 21-8; Ming beat Kennard, 21-11, 21-12, 21-13.

Quarter-finals.—Foster beat Flewellen, 21-10, 21-9, 21-9; Armstrong beet Mitchell, 19-21, 21-8,

21-12. 21-10; Brightwell beat Saunders. 21-13, 21-14. 21-18; Scott beat Ming, 21-12, 23-21, 17-21, 21-14.

Semi-finals.—Brightwell beat Scott, 7-21, 21-11. 21-16, 10-21, 22-20; Foster beat Armstrong, 21-7, 20-22. 21-14, 21-2. Final.—Foster beat Brightwell. 21-18, 21-16. 22-20. Doubles.—First Round: Flewellen and Roskilley beat Kennard and I. Baird (South Canterbury). 18-21. 23-24. 21-16, 21-18; Allan and Cherry beat Van der Linden and Hushes, 21-19, 13-21, 25-23, 21-18: Taylor and Sargent beat Jolly and Main, 21-18, 19-21, 8-21, 21-17, 21-18; Kyle and Vailance beat Abernethy and Harliwich, 21-13. 21-9, 25-23; Mitchell and Ming beat Barker and Fisher, 21-8, 21-13, 21-15: Alabaster and Catsidy beat Jourdain and McCallum. 21-10, 21-16, 14-21, 11-21. 21-12; Cox and Radford beat Warren and Rsnwlck. 21-16, 21-12, 21-18; Kalin and McKenzie beat Foley and Green, 21-11, 21- 21-14; Butler and Butler beat Stewart and Duffy, 21-13, t 2-21, 21-13, 21-13; Spinks and Saunders beat Heseftlne and Fowke. 21-11, 21-7, 21-16. Second Round.—Foster and Scott beat Beaumont and Nesbitt, 21-6, 21-17, 21-12; Collett and Leong beat Flewellen and Roskilley, 15-21, 21-19, 21-14, 22- Taylor and Sargent beat Allin and Cherry, 21-14, 21-18, 21-23, 21-18; Mitchell and Ming beat Kyle and Vailance 21-8, 21-13, 21-14; Alabaster and Cassidy beat Coz and Radford, 21- 21-8, 7-21. 21-11; Butler and Butler beat Kalin and McKenzie. 21-10, 22-20, 21-16: Spinks and Saunders beat O'Gorman and Berry. 21-15, 21-18. 17-21. 22- 21-10; Armstrong and Brightwell beat Boulton and Swanson, 21-10, 21-11, 20-22, 21-16. Quarter-finals. Foster end Scott beat Collett and Leong 21-5, 21-11, 21-18; Mitchell and Ming beat Taylor and Sargent 21-10, 21-12, 21-18: Alabaster and Cassidy beat Butler and Butler 21-15, 15-21, 14-21, 21-0, 21-8; Armstrong and Brightwell beat Saunders and Spinks, 11-21, 21-17, 21-10, 21-18. Semi-finals.—Foster and Scott beat Mttehell and Ming 21-17, 21-10, 21-14; Armstrong and Brightwell beat Albaster and Cassidy 22-20, 18-21, 21-13, 20-22, 21-15. Final: Foster and Scott beat Armstrong and Brightwell 23- 21-11, 21-14. Women Singles.—First round: Miss M. P. Green beat Mrs E. Littler, 21-13, 21-14, 21-11; Miss M. Foley (Marlborough) beat Miss L. McGregor (South Canterbury) 14-21, 21-10, 14-21, 21-18, 21-17; Mrs L. M. Barker (South Canterbury) beat Miss M. L. Row. by default; Mrs M. J. Brown (South Canterbury) beat Mrs C. Blakely 21-4, 21-8, 21-13; Miss M. Butler (South Canterbury) beat Miss C. Taylor 21-18, 21-0, 15-21, 81-10.

Second Round.—Mrs T. May beat Mrs D. Hodgson 21-14. 21-12. 21-11; Mrs T. G. Green beat Mrs C. Clemence 21-16, 21-10, 21-14; Miss C. Leith (Otago) beat Miss Green 18-21, 21-18, 21-17, 21-12; Mrs Barker beat Miss Foley 21-8, 21-11, 21-14; Mrs Brown beat Miss Butler 21-17, 18-21, 21-15, 21-12; Mrs R. Sunderland (Otago) beat Miss P. Shadbolt 18-21, 21-23. 21-4, 21-17, 21-11; Miss J. Stead beat Miss N. McGregor (South Canterbury) 31-18, 21-13, 21-15; Mrs Y. Boulton beat Mrs P. Wilson (South Canterbury) 21-13, 21- 21-14. Quarter-finals.—Mrs May beet Mrs Green 21-17, 21-9, 21-13; Mrs Barker beat Miss Leith 21-15. 22- 23-21: Mrs Sunderland beat Mrs Brown 21-14, 21-12, 21-19; Mrs Boulton beat Miss Stead 18-21, 21-16, 21-11, 21-11. Semi-finals: Mrs May beat Mrs Barker, 16-21, 21-18, 23-21, 21-9; Mrs Sunderland beat Mrs Boulton. 21-17, 11-21, 21-10, 0-21. 21-16. Final: Mrs May beat Mrs Sunderland. 21-0, 21-9, 21-14. Double*.—First round: Me*damee May and Green beet Me*dame* Littler end Clemence. 21-8, 21-14, 21-11: Mlae Stead and Mrs Boulton boat Mesdames Blakely and Wilson, 21-13, 21-11,

Quarter-finals; Misses Taylor and Green beat Mis* Leith and Mrs Sunderland, 441, 21-17, 24-22, 15-21, 21-18; Meedames May and Green beat Mr* Shadbolt and Miss Shadbblt, 28-24. 13-21, 21-23, 21-13, 21-18: Mis* Stead and Mrs Boulton beat Misses L. and N. McGregor, 21-10, 21-10, 21-8; Mesdames Barker and Brown beat Misses Foley and Butter, 21-18, 22-20, 21-12.

Semi-finals: Mesdames May and Green beat Misses Green and C. Taylor, 21-19, 21-15, 18-21, 15-21, 21-17; Mesdames Barker and Brown beat Miss Stead and Mrs Boulton, 21-15, 17-21, 21-14, 9-21, 21-15. Final: Mesdames May and Green beat Mesdames Barker and Brown, 21-15, 17-21, 21-14, 9-21, 21-15. Mixed doubles.—First round: McCallum and Miss Stead beat Jourdain and Mrs p. Ellis. 22-26, 21-17, 21-13; Radford and Mrs Littler beat McKenzie and Mist Foley, 15-21, 21-16, 21-15, 21-18; Beaumont and Mrs Clemence beat Leong and Mis* B. Taylor, 21-16, 21-19, 13-21, 22-26; Mitchell and Miss Shadbolt beat Fowke and Mis* Baker, 21-16, 21-15, 21-15; Armstrong and Mrs Green beat Stewart and Mrs Blakely. 21-15, 21-5, 21-15: Collett and Mis* LOlth beat Ming and Mrs MSy, 19-21, 16-21. 21-16, 21-19, 21-17; Duffy and Mrs Wilson beat Baundera and Miss Green, 21-18, 21-14, 12-21, 21-10; Barker and Mrs Barker beat RosklHey and Mr* Hodgson, 21-17, 21-15, 16-21, 10-21, 21-16; B. G. Butter and Miss McGregor beat Sneddon and Mis* C. Taylor, 21-17, 21-16, X 6-21, 21-14. Second round: Foster and Mrs Sunderland beat Heseltlne and Miss N. McGregor, 21-16, 21-13, 31-11; McCallum and Mite Stead beat Butler and Miss Butler, 21-13, 21-14, 20-22, 16-21, 21-19: Radford and Mr* Uttler

beat Beaumont and Mr* Clemencs, 21-7, 21-13, 21-12; Armstrong and Mrs Green beat Mitchell and Mitt Shadbolt. 14-21, 21-13, 22-24, 21-12, 21-11; Duffy and Miss Wilson beat CMlett and Mist Leith, 21-16. 24-22, 21-15; Barker and Mr* Barker beat Butler and Miss L. McGregor. 18-21, 21-17, 21-12. 21-9; Fisher and Mrs Brown beat Van der Linden and Mitt Price, 21-17. 21-18, 21-7; Brightwell and Mrs Boulton beat Edward* and Mr* Shadbolt. 21-11, 22-26. 21-14.

Quarter-finals: Foster and Mrs Sunderland beat McCallum and Miss Stead, 21-16, 21-19, 21-19; Armstrong and Mrs Green beat Radford and Mrs Littler. 21-18, 16-21, 21-13, 21-15; Barker and Mrs Barker beat Duffy and Miss Wilson, 21-14, 19-21, 21-11, 31-17; Brightwell and Mr* Boulton beat Fisher and Mrt Brown. 21-11. 21-12. 21-12. Semi-finals: Foster and Mrt Sunderland beat Armstrong and Mrs Green, 14-21, 21-11, 21-18, 21-16; Barker and Mrt Barker beat Brightwell and Mrs Boulton, 21-14. 19-21. 21-14, 21-9. Final: Foster and Mrs Sunderland beat Barker and Mrs Barker, 210. 21-12, 2115. Men's Plate.—Final: Either beat Kyle. 19-21, 21-11, 21-17. Women* Bracelet. Final: Mitt Green beat Mrt Hodgson, 21-16, 21-18.