Purser wins singles

Press, 7 September 1981, Page 21

Purser wins singles

PA Auckland Waikato’s Bryan Purser won hts third national men's badminton singles title, beating Aucklander. Graeme Robson. 15-5. 1511. at Auckland on Saturday. . Purser, the current titleholder, started off badly, being 0-3 down m the first game. Robson, plagued by errors, squandered his lead and managed just two more points in the first game. At first Robson had no answer to Purser's powerful smash and finely-cut drop shots. In’ the second game a more aggressive Robson forced Purser to work round the court. But again Robson could not keep an early 4TI lead. At 4-11 down in the second game. Robson faulted twice, letting Purser clinch the match 1511 In a lacklustre women’s singles. Robyn Denton (Waitemata) took just 15 minutes to dispose of Hutt Valley's Margaret Lee. 11-3. 11-3. Mrs Denton’s deep probing shots to the back of the court often caught her opponent off balance, forcing weak returns.

it was a disappointing game from Mrs Lee. seeded seventh, who earlier toppled the top seed. Toni Whittaker, from the championships. In the most exciting match of the' afternoon, the veteran champions Bryan and Richard Purser were outclassed by Auckland's Ross Livingston and Canterbury's Sieve Wilson Livingstons's cobra-like reflexes at the net and Wilson's deep smashes and fine defensive work won them the match 15-3. 15-5.

In the women’s open doubles, the No. 1 seeds. Karen Phillips and Toni Whittaker, had a comfortable, straight-game win. 1512. 15-5. over A. Simpson and L. Shirlev.