N.Z. women lose table tennis final

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32563, 24 March 1971, Page 36

N.Z. women lose table tennis final

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SINGAPORE. England halted New Zealand’s winning ran in the women’s section of the Commonwealth table tennis tournament, its highly experienced team winning the final, 3-0, to take the gold medals.

The New Zealand side, finishing runners-up, won the silver medals. It was the first New Zealand team to .gain medals in international table tennis. At the Seapatt tournament in Australia in 1968, both the New Zealand men and women finished last. The New Zealand women were deeply conscious of the mammoth task facing them against England. Mrs N, Traill played the first match with Miss P. Piddock, the young woman who two years ago defeated the then world champion in the first round of the world championships. 12 WINS, 2 LOSSES

Mrs Traill has, by New Zealand standards, an exceptional defence, but it was of little value against Miss Piddock, who won 21-9, 21-2. This made Mrs Traill’s record for the tournament 12 wins and two losses—a remarkable achievement.

Miss Y. M. Fogagty, the Otago left-hander, played Miss J. Shirley, and lost 15-21, 15-21. Miss Fogarty was in top form but Miss Shirley was never seriously threatened. In the doubles, the New Zealanders tried desperately to save the situation, but Misses Piddock and K. Matthews were too good a combination for their opponents.

England also won the men’s final, beating Hong Kong, 5-3. India, defeated Singapore, 5-3, for third place. The New Zealand women reached the final by defeating Malaysia, 3-2. The men suffered a heavy defeat, 1-5, to Malaysia in their last match. Details of these two matches (New Zealand names first): New Zealand 3, Malaysia 2. N. Traill beat Ong Moot Moot, 21-13, 18-21, 21-14; F. Fogarty lost to Tan Sok Hong, 18-21, 13-21; Traill and Fogarty lost to Ong and Tan, 14-21, 19-21; Fogarty beat Ong, 21-12, 21-16; . Traill beat Tan, 12-21, 21-12, 21-15. New Zealand 1, Malaysia 5.—G. Murphy lost to Soong Poh Wah,

16-21, 21-16, 16-21; A. R. Tomlinson beat Peonk Pak Seng, 21-15, 21-16; J. R. Morris lost to Loong Peng Sum, 11-21, 24-22, 15-21; Tomlinson lost to Soong, 17-21, 10-21; Murphy lost to Loong, 13-21, 21-11, 16-21; Morris lost to Peong, 11-21, 21-8, 13-21.