Foster Confident N.Z. Will Beat Australia

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31783, 13 September 1968, Page 17

Foster Confident N.Z. Will Beat Australia

New Zealand will have a great chance of winning the table tennis series when Australia tours this country next season, the national men’s singles title-holder, B. A. Foster (Otago), said in Christchurch yesterday, on his return from the Australian open championships in Hobart.

“The men’s team, which is likely to be L. Pascoe and G. Sterling (both of Victoria), will have a difficult task beating us on our tables,” Foster said.

Both are internationals, and Pascoe won the Australian singles title at 15. LOST THEIR EDGE

“Three of Australia’s best men in the past—C. McDonald and M. Wilcox (New South Wales) and M. Thomson (South Australia) —have lost their edge. Thomson and Wilcox did not contest the championships at Hobart and McDonald was eliminated in the second round. “The women's team does not appear as definite, but the young internationals, Misses L. Gilbert and M. Cleaves (both Victoria), should be in the team if available. Mrs S. Javor (Victoria), who has won the women’s singles 11

times, is likely to be playing in the world championships at the same time as the tour.” TABLES WERE SLOW

On slow tables, which did not suit him, Foster did exceedingly well to reach the semi-finals of the Australian men’s singles. Seeded No. 5, he was eliminated by Pascoe, 21-12, 21-15, 16-21, 21-19. “I had to make extensive changes to my game after playing on the fast tables in Christchurch at the national championships. I was not able to hit with my usual freedom because the ball came through too slowly. I spent most of the time defending and relied heavily on the chop shot. “I did not play well against Pascoe mainly because I had little chance of adjusting to the pace of the tables.”

With a scratch partner from South Australia, E. Herman, Foster reached the final of the men’s doubles, when he was beaten, 21-14, 21-19, 21-16. Foster and Herman entered the final after beat-

ing one of the best combinations, McDonald and J. Lindsay (New South Wales), in a game of changing fortunes. Foster had a “weak” partner in the mixed doubles and lost to one of the finalists in the first round. PAIRS NOT SEEDED

“The most peculiar thing about the doubles was the absence of seedings in any form. Pairs were not even placed. YoUr first round opponent was drawn out of a hat,” he said. “The standard of Australia’s top players is comparable to New Zealand, but after the first six the New Zealanders would dominate. There is no depth there. “The championship was run on a much smaller scale than our nationals. The stadium had only eight tables as against 21 for the titles in Christchurch. The championships were about the same size as our South Island event,” he said.