'TABLE TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 175, 21 April 1937, Page 6

'TABLE TENNIS

Encouraging Form Displayed Entries having closed, it expected that the draw for the first round of the Hutt Valley Table Tennis Sub-Associa-tion’s inter-club competitions will be announced at an early date. As was the case last season, the Valley association is again showing the way to the parent body, the Wellington association. In the case of the former it is necessary to start its inter-club competitions at an early date if two full rounds of matches are to be played, as suggested at. the annual meeting. In Wellington, however, matches for A and B grade players are arranged weekly, while the Valley players will again be competing fortnightly. Twenty-seven Clubs. With twenty-seven clubs already affiliated, the Valley association has already increased upon last season’s number, and it is confidently expected that the number of teams will also show an increase which may possibly influence the executive to inaugurate a further grade. Among the new clubs are Studio, Hutt Cricket, Hutt Tennis, I’ctone Tennis, Woburn, Burnside, and Petone Rowing. Interest in the association’s room at the Hutt Recreation Ground was displayed by 40 members at the opening, last week. Throughout, the evening all four tables were in constant use, those who were present having a good evening’s practice. The spacing and curtaining of the rooms proved excellent, but the effect of the lighting is spoilt by the large shades which are hung too close to the table, throwing the light over a confined radius that does not assist players wishing to go back from the table. H. Taylor, rtaner-up to R. Wright in the men’s O and D grades championship last season, has been selected as an A grade player for the first team by the Woburn club. Taylor last season depended solely upon defence, but according to reports he is now forcing the pace with better results. Taylor is also quite accurate with short, sharp placements. Other members of the team are S. Blaekie, ranked No. 4 last season, R. Fuller, an ex Wairarapa representative, and G. Garbett, who is said to have shown gratifying improvement. Playing for Taita. Despite an earlier decision to play for Petone Fire Brigade, Miss M. Walsh has now transferred to the Taita club, whose last-minute increase iu membership allowed an entry into B grade, in which team Miss Walsh will be a member. Last season Miss Walsh partnered Miss K. Tustin in the women’s open doubles championship of Hutt Valley, Wellington and New Zealand, winning all three titles. Members of the same club this year, they should have plenty of opportunities to regain the form that last season earned them the distinction of being national champions. Miss Tustin has been noticed playing with a lighter bat. which appears to have greatly improved her driving. G. Tustin, E. Batie, and G. Arms will again complete the team. G. Tustin is also playing well but there is still plenty of room for improvement with his backhand. If R. Gray (Alieetown) can maintain the form he is at present displaying at practice, his record in A grade matches this season will show a great improvement upon his 1936 record. In the same club K. Bates, one of the few “penholders” in the top flight, is slowly regaining his true form. Bates has a splendid drive, but a well-topix-d ball deep (ii the table finds his footwork lacking. G. Martin, another Alieetown player, has also shown fine form, but in the past Martin has not shown the same form in inter-club matches as nt practice, and unless he opens out it is unlikely that his play will be seen to advantage. • Now Hutt Club is Strong. For a new club the Hutt Cricket Club has a particularly strong team. It includes L. Pyne, valley representative last season, who has transferred from St. James, B. Pegler, veteran player, who has had three years’ experience with the now defunct Waiwetu club, R. Wright, winner of the men’s C and D grades championship last season, who has transferred from Forresters, and B. Roberts, ex-Auckland. Another player who has strong claims for inclusion is D. Milne, whose present form cannot be ignored. With these fine players to choose from, the cricket club should be able to extend the best. Though the Petone Tennis club is small in metnbershin. the standard of play is above the average. G. Mcßride, a left-hander, has a smart backhand flick, besides a really good forehand drive. McBride, however, is at present too impetuous, and this fault may prove costly. J. Croudis, probably the best player in the club, bids well to become the stylist of the association. Possessing a fine easy style, he is not afraid to hit both forehand and backhand, while his footwork and height give him an added advantage. Like Mcßride, lie is also overeager. but a season's play should give him the necessary experience to counter tlie fault. J. King, who relies mainly upon a defensive chop, is a bard man to pass, but a steady attack to bis backhand usually worries him into mistakes. Bornholdt will probably complete their team. He is a useful type of player, whose main faults at present are his footwork and lack of a good defence on his backhand.