Skilful badminton

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 15

Skilful badminton

The years rest lightly on the shoulders of the long-serving Canterbury badminton representative, Paul Boatwood. On Saturday Boatwood began his eighteenth season of A grade play and he began it well with a singles win over Mike Nolan, one of the youngsters challenging him for his place in Canterbury’s Wisden Cup team. Boatwood has been a consistent Wisden Cup choice since he came into the grade, whereas Nolan Came from the reserves to make his first appearance last season.

Boatwood, who claims to be fitter and keener this year than he has been for some seasons, was well aware of the importance of Saturday’s game in his bid to hold his representative place. His confidence was not helped by a groin injury—from his summer sport, tennis —that lias severely restricted bis play and practice recently. A possible lack of fitness may have become even more worrying for Boatwood when Nolan easily took the first game, 15-8. But then Boatwood substituted experience for pace and his excellent control enabled him to race away with both the second and third games. In partnership with Greg Beale, Boatwood also had a decisive men’s doubles win and aithougli beaten in his mixed doubles. Boatwood could feel well satisfied with his start to yet another season.

North Beach I took an early grip on the competition when it scored a 7-1 win over another of the stronger teams, Knox. The battle was won when North Beach took all four singles without difficulty—all in straight games—and in all cases the Knox players were outstroked and outpaced. Tlie whitewash was averted when Warren Edgeeumbe and Eoin Kirkland, a little surprisingly, beat Peter Whiting and David Ross in tire men’s doubles. It was not a match of notable quality, but Edgeeumbe and Kirkland took their chances better and lifted their play once they realised their opponents were struggling. North Beach I’s top woman, Alison Ross, fresh from her selection for New Zealand’s Über Cup squad, clearly appreciated the relief from the pres-

sures she was under at last week’s national trials, but there remained a confidence about her play that bodes well for her future.

With Railway having the bye on Saturday, North Beach I has shot to a long lead. It has 37 points, 10 more than Railway. Knox is third with 26 and then follows North Beach II 21, Hagley I and 11, both 17, Canterbury I 13, University 6 and Canterbury 11 4. Results:— Canterbury II 3, Canterbury I 5 Singles. C. Goh lost to B. Wilson, 12-15, 10-15; D. Le Page lost to P. Burn, 9-15, 6-15; Mrs N. Jacobs beat Mrs A. Smith, 12-10, 11-0: Mrs B. Davey lost to Miss V. Smith, 7-11, 7-11. Doubles. Gob and Le Page beat Wilson and Burn, 18-15, 15-12; Mrs Jacobs and Mrs Davey lost to Mrs Smith and Miss Smith, 10-15. 15-8, 3-15; Goh and Mrs Jacobs lost to Wilson and Mrs Smith, 7-15, 8-15; Le Page and Mrs Davey beat Burn and Miss Smith, 15-8, 15-5. Knox 1, North Beach I 7

Singles.—W. Edgeeumbe lost to P. Whiting, 6-15, 14-17; E. Kirkland lost to D. Ross, 9-15, 8-15; Miss J. Miles lost to Miss A. Ross, 8-11, 1-11; Mrs G. Brookes lost to Mrs S. Chapman, 7- 4-11. Doubles.—Edgeeumbe and Kirkland beat Whiting and Ross, 8- 15-10. 15-12; Miss Miles and Mrs Brookes lost to Miss Ross and Mrs Chapman, 3-15, 6-15; Edgeeumbe and Miss Miles lost to Whiting and Miss Ross, 11-15, 11-15; Kirkland and Mrs Brookes lost to Ross and Mrs Chapman, 15-8, 7-15, 9-15. Hagtey II 3, North Beach II S Singles.—P. Boatwood beat M. Nolan, 8-15, 15-3, 15-7; G. Beale lost to G. McWilliams, 7-15, 9-15; Miss R. Kerr lost to Miss D. Erikson. 1-11, 4-11; Mrs C. Austin lost to Mrs R. Erskine, 1-11, 8-11. Doubles.—Boatwood and Beale beat Nolan and McWilliams. 15-10, 15-6; Miss Kerr and Mrs Austin beat Miss Erikson and Mrs Erskine, 15-12, 9-15, 15-9; Boatwood and Miss Kerr lost to McWilliams and Miss Erikson, 9- 13-15; Beale and Mrs Austin lost to Nolan and Mrs Erskine, 11-15, 15-11. 7-15. University 2, Hagley I 6

Singles.—C. J. Chong lost to B. Williams, 16-18, 15-13, 14-18; G.

Girdler lost to C. Wasley, 2-15, 12-15; Miss E. Chan lost to Miss K. Burn, 6-11, 7-11; Miss L. Kitchingham beat Miss J. Hood, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4. Doubles.—Chong and Girdler lost to Williams and Wasley, 9-15, 15-9, 16-18; Miss Chan and Miss Kitchingham lost to Hiss Hood and Miss Burn, 13-15, 7-15; Chong and Miss Chan lost to Williams and Miss Hood, 15-7, 3-15, 10-15; Girdler apd Miss Kitchingham beat Wasley and Miss Burn, 15-6, 15-12.