TABLE TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 67, 16 September 1936, Page 18

TABLE TENNIS

WELLINGTON V. HUTT VALLEY

JNTER-SECTION FINALS

(By "Net.")

Although the details of the- annual representative match between Wellington and Hutt Valley Table Tennis Associations have not yet been finalised it is believed that the match will be played in the Hutt Valley within the next two to three weeks. If the procedure in the previous contest is followed there will be two teams of four players, one of which teams will consist of ladies. There is a possibility of a third team consisting of the most promising players also being chosen. For this representative match the Hutt Valley Association's selectors, Messrs K. B. Longmore, W. H. Day, and S. J. Smith, will have had ample time to study the form of the Hutt Valley players. For the men's team K. B. Longmore and E. Hughes, of the St. Ronan's Club, appear certain of places, whilst Roberts (Waiwhetu), if available, will have good chances. G. Tustin (Taita) and L. Ridler (Alicetown Trinity) are two experienced campaigners who have excellent possibilities. If Roberts is unavailable the final team may be Longmore, Hughes, Ridler, and .Tustin. Others who have claims that cannot be entirely passed over are S. Blackie (St. Ronan's), L. Pyne (St. James'), and A. T. Wood (Empire). In the ladies' section the issue is more difficult, but on this season's performances Miss K. Tustin,' Miss M. Walsh, and Miss B. Strang should all gain places. In choosing the fourth player the selectors are faced with a difficult task, for Mrs. Ingham, Mrs. Cooper, and Mrs. Brennan are three exponents whose records this season are exceedingly close. Both Mrs. Ingham and Mrs. Cooper are greatly improved players, but Mrs. Brennan is more experienced. If a third team (men) is to be selected, A. T. Wood and J. J. Halligan (Empire), K. Bates (Alicetown Trinity), and L. Pyne (St. James') would be a strong selection. INTER-SECTION FINALS. Despite the fact that there was little thrilling table tennis in the inter-sec-tion finals of the H.V.T.T.S.-A.'s competitions held last Wednesday night, these were, with the exception of the C grade final, all keenly contested. The B grade final in. particular resolved itself into an exciting fight, the Railways team just winning by three points after being down 10 games to 6 in the singles. For the Railways team Miss Walsh gave a splendid exhibition in both singles and doubles. In her defeat of R. Williams (previously unbeaten) she gave a first-class display of accurate driving and placements. F. E. Smith and J. Hdyte, the two male members of the Railways team, were much below their usual form, the latter losing three of his matches 29-31. Of the Petone Fire Brigade team, L. Cooper was the outstanding player, his control of the ball being a big factor in his success. Bornboldt, a promoted player, although inclined to be awkward in his movements, proved a decided acquisition to the team and his de» feat of Miss Walsh stamped him as a player with possibilities.. UNBEATEN IN TWO SEASONS. R. Wright, of the Foresters Club, completed a record of which he might well be proud when he won his four singles against Petone Central. He has now played for two seasons and in that time he has not once been defeated. Wright's solid defence is combined effectively with a powerful forehand drive. ■. In the same team H. Taylor, who is purely a defensive player, put up a creditable performance in winning three of his singles, his solitary loss being his only defeat this season. In the D grade final the outstanding player was P. Dudley (Empire) who won by cleverly-angled placements with considerable spin. Of the Foresters team Corliss was the outstanding performer, his play being a considerable improvement on that of last season. Steffenson, of the M.U. Oddfellows team, winners of the E grade championship, is a player who if properly coached would show rapid improvement for he has the correct style for shots that are essential to a player who wishes to improve.' Included in the same team is Nightingale, but unlike Steft'enson this player is very weak on his backhand with fast body shots. His forehand is, however, a devastating stroke that he uses very accurately. By accounting for three of his opponents R. Foote in no small measure accounted for his team's success. Foote is also a greatly-improved player, and, although he lacks an effective attacking shot, he is sound in defence. J. R. Captick (Empire), winner of four singles for his team, created the surprise of the match. He has speeded up his game considerably.