TABLE TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

TABLE TENNIS

Wellington And Hutt Valley PROSPECTS REVIEWED (By "A.K.H.") No table tennis fixture arouses more interest locally than the Wellington \. Ilutt Valley annual match which is ' scheduled to take place in Wellington today. Added to the keenest rivalry existing in this year's match is the tact, that the usual procedure of determining the singles games has been altered to meet the desire of the New Zealand sole selector, Mr. K. B. Longmore. In view of the selection of a New Zealand team to visit Australia he Jias requested that the first three players of each team should play one another. . . Both selectors have voiced opinions ot victory. The Wellington selector Mr. Arthur Meacheu, is faced with the problem that the Valley women are dehniteJv superior to Wellington's best, and lie will have to rely on the male members of his team, who last season proved an invinciable force. , . On the other hand, Mr. Syd. Black c, Hutt Valley selector, realizes that it the narrow defeat of the Hutt } alley team last winter is to be avenged it will lastly depend on the result vl the men that the first Wellington three will be Gosling, Boniface and ismitu, and the Valley three Hughes, b. Henderson and V. Wesley, an endeavour t analyze the prospects of these six players mav he enlightening. M Gosling has not had great success against Hughes, has never beaten Henderson. while his backhand flick will enable him to get in against M esley, who is at sea once his forehand attack is crippled. , , E. Boniface should beat Lesley fo. the same reason as Gosling while his defence is also quite sound. Boniface will, however, find Henderson hi<s hardest opponent and it is problematical whether the Wellington player will take a set oft the Valley man. The game between Bonitace and Hughes will provide a line battle of tactics, and with Hughes having to sharpen up his attack to subdue his opponent, the result is very open. G. Smith, Wellingtons third, should also account for Wesley. Hughes should prove too consistent a performer for Smith, who will have an interesting struggle with Henderson. Summing up. Gosling should win one, lose one, with one open : Boniface should win one, lose one, with one open; Smith should win two and lose one. For the Hutt Valley. E. ,1. Hughes should win two. with one open; S. Henderson should win two and lose one. A victory cannot be seen for Wesley. The Ilutt Valley men in the first division sliOulil at least hold their own. However, should G. Corbett get a place m the first three. S. Henderson, a logical choice for inclusion in the first three, is sure to be passed over. On present form Corbett will prove difficult, but his presence would not assist the valley team to hold their own in that division. The writer is of the opinion that the Hutt Valley's strength- in the women's section will this season result in a Hutt Valley win.

Hutt Valley Team. The Hutt Valley team is as follows: — Men: E. J. Hughes (captain), L. Pyne (St. Ronan's), C. Wesley, G. Corbett (Woburn), S. Henderson (Empire) and J. Croudis (I’etone Tennis). Women : Miss K. Tustin (St. Ronan s), Miss B. Strang (Empire), Mrs. Sutherland (Alicetown Trinity), and Mrs. Ingham (Wilford).

Venue For Match. The venue for this ■ fixture is Rowe s Building. 63 Lower Cuba Street, today at 7.15 p.m. Three tables are being provided. The Wellington team will be the same as that against Auckland. The New Zealand , selector. Mr. K. Longmore, will be in attendance.

Leading Wellington Contender. Without a doubt, Eric Boldface is now the leading Wellington contender for national honours for his form against the Auckland team was superior to that of his fellow team mates. Auckland reports also favour Boniface's chances for inclusion in the New Zealand team, and if the Wellington man is successful it would be a lifting reward to a player ho has been dogged with consistently bad luck in provincial and national championships.

A Grade Championship. Woburn’s'chances of retaining Hie A grade c.liiinipmii.ship of the Hutt Valley were further 'enhanced by the. defeat of their nearest opponents, Empire No. 1, by St. Ronan's by 12 games' to 8. Woburn now have a chance of pulling out to.a clear threepoint lead before they again meet -St. Ronan’s, who are confident that they will upset the champions. Empire No. 1 have, however, to meet Woburn vet. and as the latter team only stalled off Empire No. 2 by 12 games to S. the No. 1 team will prove a much harder proposition.