B. A. Foster proved a true champion in table tennis

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31775, 4 September 1968, Page 13

B. A. Foster proved a true champion in table tennis

'THE eool, calculating manner in which the top seed, B. A. Foster (Otago), went about winning his second New Zealand men's singles table tennis title in Cowles Stadium last week left no doubts about his right to the sport's highest honour. The qualities he showed were those of a true champion.

After beating his old adversary, A. R. Tomlinson (Auckland), and M. W. Borlase (Wellington) in the inter-island contest, the title

seemed to be his for the taking but he was beaten four times in the inter-association matches preceding the individual events.

Until beaten by Borlase, Foster had lost only one match, to Ling Nan Ming (Canterbury), more than two months earlier. He had beaten Borlase twice and Tomlinson once in their previous meetings this season. Everyone expected Foster to come through the interassociation matches without a loss and repeat his unbeaten performance of last year. When he lost four, it appeared that his chance of winning the men’s singles was slipping from his grasp. Although psychologically Foster could ill afford these losses, they helped to snap him out of his complacency and give his play the sharpness it needed to win the title.

Foster was hardly taken to a canter to sweep past R. G. Lassen (Auckland), S. A Swanson (Canterbury), K. T O'Carroll (Northland) and D. T. Thorner (Wellington) to reach the last eight G. B. Murphy (Otago), who had beaten the eighth seed, B. T. Cross (Hutt Valley) did not offer great resistance and on the final evening the former Australian champion, G. J. Jennings (Auckland), played in an almost disinterested manner against Foster.

Tomlinson was all that then stood between Foster and the title. The pair had met twice in the week for a win each but because Foster had not been extended -by anyone it appeared his play might not be fully tuned for a long final against Tomlinson. Foster won the first two games without being fully tested but suddenly Tomlin, son came into his own. Hitting with great authority, he completely controlled the third game and went to a 18-13 lead in the fourth. Foster was forced Into re-

treat as he raced hither and thither in a desperate effort, yards from the table, to stay in the game. Determined that the match would not go to five games after a week of strenuous play. Foster rallied to lead 19-18. Tomlinson won the next rally but Foster won the next two points to take the title. When away from the table Foster had looked distinctly suspect although he made some great saves and he showed great fight and tenacity to beat Tomlinson over the table late in the game.