TABLE TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 23

TABLE TENNIS

IN HUTT VALLEY

LIKELY LADY PLAYERS

The selection of a ladies' representative team to play for the Hutt" Valley Table Tennis Association in its forthcoming engagements is gc^ing to prove quite a problem for the selectors, Messrs. S. J. Smith, K. B.* Longmore, and G. Tustin.

According to the positions of the players on the ranking ladder, Misses B. Strang, K. Tustin, M. Walsh, and Mrs. J. Ingham, the leading four, have the best qualifications. With playera such as 'Miss P. Harvey, 1936 Wairarapa champion, Mrs. P. Valk, a greatly, improved player, and Mrs. Kennedy, Wellington representative for several seasons, all,in the running for higher honours, however, the choice of a team need not be confined to the first four mentioned.

Miss Strang has this season been playing regularly for the Empire Club's No. 2 team, and has won eleven of her twenty'singles. This is a true-in-dication of her ability as one of the association's outstanding players. On performances this season and her excellent record last season Miss Strang must be included.

The Taita Club player, Miss K. Tustin, also plays A grade table tennis, and her performance in .winning fifteen out of twenty-four singles gives her an undeniable ptece in the first four. Miss Tustin is the present ladies' champion in the Valley, but, unfortunately for her, she never appears capable of giving of her best in representative or tournament games. Nevertheless, she is certain of a'place. DEFINITE SLAMS. A clubmate, Miss M. Walsh, who figures in No. 3 position on the ranking ladder, has also definite claims for inclusion, for she has also the distinction of playing A grade table tennis. Miss Walsh has been a consistent performer as a Valley representative, over several years, and as she is reported to be playing better than ever it is very | doubtful whether the selectors, will look further for a number three.

The fourth position is held by Mrs. J. Ingham, but she has not the record or performances of the previous candidates to assist her. Nevertheless, Mr 3. Ingham, who is making a good showing at tennis style (only adopted by her this season), is likely to show considerable improvement, ' and if she does she will be very difficult to overlook.

At present, however, a more likely candidate is Miss P. Harvey, who is playing first-class table tennis. Miss Harvey is a "pen" hold type of player who uses her reach to advantage in playing a forcing type of game which is most effective. Yet another who should, on records, prove a. stronst candidate is Mrs. Kennedy, whose performances in the past few years as a Wellington representative must gis.' c * her a chance.

Mrs. P. Valk, who first gained representative honours last season, is another of the many fine player? offering, and as she has shown considerable improvement her chances cannot bd discounted.

_ At present the position is difficult, but the selectors may rely upon Misses Strang, Walsh, Tustin, and Harvey, with Mi;»- • filling the reserve position.