N.Z. fourth in badminton cup

Press, 24 February 1986, Page 44

N.Z. fourth in badminton cup

NZPA-Reuter Vancouver

New Zealand lost, 2-3, to Canada in the consolation round of the Thomas Cup men’s badminton qualifying championships at Vancouver yesterday. South Korea, the favourite, beat Japan, 4-1, in the final and New Zealand finished fourth over all after its tie with Canada was decided in the final doubles match. New Zealand trailed, 1-2, after the three singles matches. The No. 1, Graeme Robson, was beaten 11-15, 15-2, 15-4, by Mike Butler and Kerrin Harrison, 15-6, 15-4, by John Goss. Glen Stewart, the least experienced of the New Zealanders, kept life in the tie when he beat Jamie Marks,

15-9, 15-10.

Robson and Harrison squared the match by beating Mike Bitten and Mike de Belle, 15-11, 15-7, in the first doubles but Canada sealed the tie and third place by beating Stephen Lobb and Jacob van Seim, 15-8, 15-4.

New Zealand had earlier lost its chance of a finals place by losing, 0-5, to the Koreans in a semifinal. The New Zealand women’s team fared better than the men, beating Peru, 3-2, in the consolation final of the Über Cup qualifying tournament. New Zealand lost, 0-5, to Canada in the semi-final and Canada proceeded to win the final, 3-2, over Taiwan.