Five strong teams in winter table tennis

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 4

Five strong teams in winter table tennis

(By

R. L. SCHUMACHER)

With the top two Canterbury players, M. \V. Burrowes and W. D. Adamson, parting company. at least five clubs can hold aspirations of winning the winter A grade table tennis championship which starts on Wednesday evening. Burrowes left Avonside during the summer to join forces with Adamson and the Riccarton club. Consequently, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Riccarton would add the summer title to its success in the winter series last year. But this winter Adamson will be the mainstay of the recently-formed United club, and Burrowes has returned to Avonside. United’s attempt to win the premier inter-club championship within two months of being formed will lend additional interest to the competition. Adamson will lead a young team all of whom are under 21. However, their potential more than compensates for their lack of experience. Last winter Adamson scored the most wins and finished with the best percentage: he should again achieve a high proportion

of success for few players in the country possess his array of attacking shots. Supporting Adamson and United in their difficult assignment will be G. P Rail. C. A. S. Waines and H H. Redmond Rau is a newcomer to Christchurch, the former Franklin player was fourth on the New Zealand junior rankings in 1971 and attended the first national coaching school the following year. He has a very powerful forehand kill shot, but his progress has been hindered by lack of consistency and competition.

Waines, who exceeded expectations when playing for Riccarton during the summer, and Redmond, the eighth-seeded New Zealand junior, are proven A grade players. Both finished with a high ratio of successes last season.

University, the South Island club champion, has entered an impressive team spearheaded by Ling Nan Ming, who represented NewZealand at the Asian championships earlier this month.

Wong Chee Kong and Yee Chow Boi, ranked fifth and seventh respectively in Canterbury, and the South Island representatives, Misses B. A. Taylor and P A. Marks, lend a strong supporting hand

If the Malaysian playe: are available tor the ini portant fixtures. Universip, could win the title for the first time since 1971. B in recent seasons th students have fielded vastly different combinatu from the team original'; entered. Avonside has its usim strong representation in the premier grade with three teams, but only the numbt■ one side appears likely i finish in the top halt Burrowes. on the fringe of national honours, was in excellent form in winning the Canterbury Faster championship last Monday, and the talented 18-year-oid will be a steadying influence in the team. His team-mates. M J Warren. L. A. Stewart and G J. Rhind. are natural!; aggressive players whose forthright approach will enliven the competition. Although Riccarton will miss the services of Adam son. his loss has been offset by the return of J. Ann strong, who had a very profitable summer season in A reserve. His assistants. R. W. R. Mercer and A. Alabaster, are mainly defensive players like Armstrong. It is a very determined team assured of many successes, but its deficiencies in attack might be exposed by Avonside and United. A win for Selwyn. runner-up in the last two summer championships and the winter series last season, would be deserved. The club stalwart, V. \ Brightwell, will appear for his twenty-second season, and W. T. Scott and H P Holt are playing better than ever. Avonside 11, although strengthened by the Kaiapoi senior pair, B. Clark and Miss J. G. Morris, mighi have to settle for sixth place, with Avonside 111 and Riccarton II disputing the final two positions.