THE TABLE GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 104, 30 October 1933, Page 5

THE TABLE GAME

CHAMPIONS IN ACTION

The heights to which the sport ot table tennis is capable of being raised were displayed in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when two of the world's best players, Fred. J. Perry and F. H. D. Wilde, tennis champions at present on tour in Aew Zealand, were seen in action against loca representatives. Perry, who was world champion in 1928 and 1929, and who has represented Great Britain in international matches, gave a really remarkable exposition. His wonderful recoveries from seemingly irretrievable positions a few inches above the floor, his brilliant fore and backhand stroking, and the coolness with which he would stand two yardspback from the table and drive from corner to corner, were but .a few of the sidelights on his game. In contrast to the local men, both Perry and Wilde adopted an open attack characterised by severe hitting on both wings—the type of game they play on the tennis court. Perry's fitness and tremendous reach stand him in as good stead at the table as on the grass. Wilde, who has been an English representative for many years, was in tine form. His game, on the whole, was more severe 'than Perry's, varied by a heavily-sliced service aud spun drop shots. He did not, however, prove as brilliant on recovery as his countryman. ■

The results of games played during the evening were: — Men's Singles.-Wilde (England) beat 11. D. Kennedy (Wellington), 16-21, 21-10, 21----12, 21-12; Perry (England) beat C. F. Williams (Wellington), 21-16, 21-18, 21-10; Wilde beat Williams, 21-14, 23-21; Perry beat Kennedy, 21-14, 21-16. Men'? Doubles. —Perry and Wilde beat Chiel and Pyle (Wellington), 21-18, 21-14, 21-23, 23-21. Women's Singles.—Miss L. Sturrock (Wellington) beat Miss L. M. Hughes (Palmerston North), 31-25, 31-24. Combined Doubles.—R. Howe and Misa M. Williams beat D. Hayvice and Miss M. Parker, 31-14, 19-31, 31-15; E. Tiiidill and Miss Smythe beat A. Scrimshaw and Miss Jackson, 31-15, 31-29.

Boys' Singles— D. Howe (Wellington Club) beat Pi. Boniface (Institute Club), 27-31, 31-25, 31-18. ■ After a period of reverses in the first set against Kennedy, Wilde settled down in the second and forced his opponent into frequent mistakes. His strong forehand drives overcame Kennedy's close-table

game. Williams also found that standing close to the table could not withstand Perry's brilliance. Williams gave a fine showing, but did^, not have the variety of strokes to hold out against...the visitor. Chiel and Pyle combined excellently against the Englismen in the doubles. Perry and Wilde were unsteady in tbe opening game, but after being down 9-12, played excellently and won 21-18. Pyle's corner placements were largely instrumental in the Wellingtonians holding a lead in the second Eet.but at 11-all Perry and Wilde got going, and Wilde won the game on his service. Lively exchanges marked the third set; which was won by the local men on Wilde's mistakes after he had lost two set points. In the fourth set Pyle's rapid service won many points for Wellington, and there was little separating the pairs throughout. Wellington held,set point, but lost it, and the game ran out at 23-21. It was a brilliant double, and the Wellingtonians were by no means disgraced. . ■ Among those present were the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) and members of the New Zealand and Wellington Lawn Tennis Associations.