Table Tennis Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 23

Table Tennis Notes

If'the enthusiasm with which players are preparing for the coming season can be regarded as any criterion, the Wellington Table Tennis Association is about to embark on the most successful season of its career. I In practically all of the clubs, ' players are practising assiduously to perfect their stroke equipment and to accustom themselves to the lighter ball and the centre line for doubles play made compulsory under the new rulesi It is interesting to note that some of those who but a few weeks ago were definitely opposed to the change to a lighter ball are now just as-firmly convinced that it is the best for all types of games, attacking, defensive, or positional. : Although the inter-club "competition' has not actually commenced, several clubs have engaged each' other in friendly fixtures, and some% remarkably good form for this stage of .the season lias been revealed.. . Last Tuesday week the 'Wellington Rowing Club Hall was the venue for the annual.club match between Audit and Papatu. About1 forty members from these clubs were in action during the evening, and some \Wy bright play was witnessed, the match resulting in a wii for Audit. . , J. Nevitt (Audit) knew too much for his,- opponents, and- impressed as a sound tactician who should prove to be a valuable man for his club in matches this season. ' . ; ' J. McGuire (Audit) has not as yet reached his:best form. Last season this player was experimenting with a new style, and his match: record suffered accordingly. Provided, however, that he is now able to judge which style best suits his own particular game,.his naturally good eye should again bring him to the;fore. '.■:■■ ■ '. Miss Fairburn, of Papatu, played really well, and gives promise of improving still further with the benefit of moye match .play. Last Thursday week members of the Kilbirnie . Club; journeyed to Petone and engaged the Unique .Club, in a friendly encounter. ' ' ' •-•■•- W. McFarlane (Unique) was in good form, -and in; winning all of. his games gave ample evidence of ■ the - ability which earned Him representative honours last season. • . ; : "■. '. . . In.J. Milsom Kilbirnie produced a startlingly ■ unorthodox left-handed player, whose method of dealing'with the opposition was a delight 'to watch Driving with precision, to all parts of the table," he completely nonplussed his opponents, most of whom were unable to deal with him at .all. • M. Cooper (Kilbirnie) proved himself a player of more than ordinary ability, who should-have a successful season. R: Caton, W. Barker, and R Giles, of the Kilbirnie team, also showed good form. • ■ • , . A. Pinnel (formerly of Auckland) played well for Unique, as did H. Mouton and Thompson. It is pleasing to see that Mouton is infusing more fire into his game than last season, and his play is correspoadingly more attractive. . , . , . . No player displayed more activity during the evening than E.- Faulkner (Kilbirnie). Indeed, his action at times resembled morethat of a sprinter than a table tennis player. Faulkner's control of spin is remarkable, and those who witnessed his match against F. Paton (Auckland), the present New Zealand champion, will recall that he caused.that redoubtable player to miss the ball - completely on several occasions with his almost right-angled sidespin. The Kilbirnie Club is to be complimented on the very neat appearance of the uniform which it has adopted, and it is to be hoped that all other clubs will eventually follow Kilbirnie's lead in this important matter. With the obvious improvement in the general standard, the game is becoming more and more strenuous, and there is now no doubt whatever that a player who is not suitably attired is at a big disadvantage in a hard-fought contest.

(By "Net.") ' THE NEW SEASON

WELLINGTON MATCHES