Table tennis title to Adamson

Press, 13 April 1982, Page 6

Table tennis title to Adamson

A former Canterbury champion, Wayne Adamson, made a brief but successful return to Christchurch to win the provincial Easter Open table tennis tournament at the Selwyn Street Hall yesterday. Adamson, aged 27, beat the current. Canterbury champion, Michael Prisk, 21-12. 22-20,19-21, 21-19, in a fast-moving final. It was Adamson’s first appearance in a tournament in Christchurch since he left to live in Franklin two-and-a half years ago. Currently ranked seventh in New Zealand, he had previously won the tournament in 1977 and 1978.

Prisk, aged 18, whipped out some classy forehand drives against his’ more experienced opponent but struggled to match the top seed's over-the-table control.

Prisk led 14-6 and 15-10 in the final set but. pulling out the relaxed and well-timed strokeplay that is his hallmark, Adamson recovered to serve at 18-17 with apparent ease. Adamson's command of the match was summed up when, trailing at 9-14, he served, and then drove the return out of Prisk’s reach with his renowned forehand loop. Adamson was in Christchurch on holiday. Prisk reached the final before schedule when his opponent, Simeon Cairns, had to withdraw from the semi-final with a foot

injury he suffered in an accidential collision with Adamson on an adjacent table. At that stage Prisk was leading, 21-16. 4-9. Cairns, at present living in Dunedin, had earlier disposed of Stephen Adamson in straight sets in the quarter-finals.

Wayne Adamson beat the inform Kevin Duffy. 12-21. 2UIB. 21-13. 24-22. in the other semifinal.

Monique Van Der Aa wrapped up the women's championship with an unbeaten record in her five round-robin matches. Miss Van Der Aa. a former New Zealand junior representative. included in her victories straight set wins over the defending champion. Mrs Thelma May, and the visiting Mrs Linda Adamsoh. also formerly a toplevel New Zealand women's player. Other finals results were:

Men — Open doubles: K. Duffy and G. McCarroll beat J. Richards and S. Cairns by default. Veteran singles: H. Thompson won round-robin. Veteran doubles: Thompson and I. Urquhart beat B. Radford and B. Williamson. 21-18. 21-15.

Women — Open doubles: Mrs T. May and Mrs L. Adamson beat Miss J. Cotter and Miss Van Der Aa. 21-14. 8-21. 21-9, 24-22. Veteran singles: T. May beat K. Thompson. 21-10, 21-15. Open mixed doubles: T. May and S. Cairns beat W. and L. Adamson. 21-16. 21-18. 21-13.