Badminton win to N.Z.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33912, 4 August 1975, Page 14

Badminton win to N.Z.

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. New Zealand regained the Whyte Trophy for badminton yesterday when B. R. Purser smashed a winner down the middle of the court to win the last point of the fourteenth match of the contest. Until then, the contest at Badminton Hall, Auckland, had been closely fought with the tense battle being reflected in the attentive silence of the gallery. The final score was New Zealand 10 rubbers, Australia six. It seemed as if points would have to be added, when, after the first session ended on Saturday night, the rubbers were shared four each and the game scores were equal at 10 to each country. However, New Zealand had a ’slender points lead of 214 to 205. For his effort. Bryan Purser, impassive as ever, received a congratulatory hug from, his brother Richard and cheers from the crowd. The purser brothers: had defeated C. Berenger and J. Clancv in a doubles match to) ; eive New Zealand eight matches lin the 16-match contest. With two rubbers to be deicided. New Zealand could not be beaten even if these were lost in straight games. The home side’s points margin had increased from nine to 65 But In the fifteenth rubber, with the pressure off, Alison Branfield not only won the first game but also took the rubber, ill-5. 8-11, 11-8.

It sealed the victory for New. Zealand, and marked tile return to form of the top New Zealand woman player. Honours in the session on I Saturday went to Australia. P. , Cooper, who had only oncej taken a game from R. H. Purser beat the latter 15-9, 15-5. More reversals were to follow with Beverley Hite and Pauline r Munday avenging their Auckland contest defeat by Frances Erceg and Gaynor Weatherley. For New Zealand there was some satisfaction in the remarkable recovery by R. Livingston and W. B. Johns from 5-13 down in the third set to win the doubles from Cooper and C. Criddle. R. Purser and Mrs Branfield had a mixed doubles win against J Clancy and Joan Jones. Surprises continued in the final sessions which were more: favourable to New Zealand. | Livingston and Mrs Weatherley,, after winning the Rothman’s) doubles tournament from Cooper ; and Mrs Munday, suffered a reversal in the Auckland contest • Yesterday it was a further win <to the New Zealanders. The last match of the contest! saw the introduction of the ninth New Zealand player. Alison Gow. the reserve, replaced Mrs Erceg in the mixed] doubles. Mrs Erceg was dis--tressed In her earlier singles] against Mrs Hite and on medical • advice, withdrew from the final match. I

Miss Gow deserved her chance ' and played extremely well to : help Johns to a victory. Mrs I Erceg is believed to be suffering ■ from strained achilles tendons. Results (New Zealand names i first). — MEN | Singles: R H. Purser lost to IP. Cooper 9-15, 5-15; B. R. Purser beat C. Criddle 15-2, 15-2; R. Livingston beat J. Clancy 15-2, 15-10; W. B. Johns beat C. Berenger 9-15, 15-11, 15-3. Doubles: Purser and Purser beat Berenger and Clancy 15-7. 15-9; Livingston and John* beat* Cooper and Criddle 8-15, 15-6, 18-14. WOMEN Singles: Mrs A. Branfield beat Mrs J. Byirati 11-5, 8-11, 11-8; Mrs G. Weatherley lost to Mrs J Jones 6-11, 0-11; Mrs F. Erceg lost to Mrs B Hite 11-4, 7-11, 3-11; Mrs L. Shirley lost to Mrs |P. Munday 11-3. 4-11, 9-11. I Doubles: Mesdames Branfield and Shirley lost to Mesdames : Jones and Byirati 10-15, 12-15; Mesdames Erceg and Weatherley lost to Mesdames Hite and Munday 15-12, 7-15, 10-15 j Mixed doubles: Livingston and I Mrs Weatherly beat Cooper and Mrs Munday, 15-6. 15-5; R. H. [Purser and Mrs Branfield beat Clancy and Mrs Jones. 15-5. 15-4; JB. R. Purser and Mrs Shirley ..beat Berenger and Mrs Byirati. 17-15, 15-8, 15-7; Johns and Mbs* II A. Gow beat Criddle and Mrs I Hite, 15-8, 15-7.