TABLE TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 16

TABLE TENNIS

HUTT VALLEY NOTES

STRENUOUS GAME

Empire No. 1 still head the Hutt Valey Table Tennis Association's championship ladder, which is as follows: — . ' ■ .' Games. Ch. W. D. L. 1\ A. pis. Empire ■ No. -1 4 2 — 7-1 46 10 Hutt Cricket 4 1 1 77 43 0 Petone Tennis .... 2 4 — 66 s(i. 8 Alicetown Trinity .... 4 — 2 64' 58 S Talta 1 3 2 59 01 5 ■\Voburn 2 — 4 55 65 4 St. Bonans — 2 4 50 70 2 Empire No. 2 ........ I.— 5 43 77 2 Play in the A grade match between Empire No. 1 and Petone Tennis was strenuous, with little between the teams, as the result, a draw, indicates. A remarkable feature of the contest was the number of advantage games, there being no fewer than eight such matches. At times the play was of a high standard with many surprises, but in practically every case, especially in advantage games, few chances were taken. Many exciting games ended in a grim struggle in which both contestants refused to take undue risks. G. Mcßride, winner of three singles for Petone Tennis, was at times unplayable, but many brilliant , efforts were wasted when his play lapsed. A ]eft-hander, he proved himself a player of, great possibilities, however, his driving, backhand and forehand, being too good for all but • Halligan. McBride won his three singles, 35-33, 35----33, 33 31, and lost 34-36. GREATLY-IMPROVED FLAYER. H. Bornholdt is' without question a greatly-improved player, and one feature of his game that is outstanding is the manner in which his driving is executed. Being an exceptionally awkward player of good height, Bornholdt leans well forward when attempting a drive, and this practically camouflages the stroke. This factor is of great assistance to Bornholdt, who is very accurate. :....-' J. Croudis, the stylist of the Petone Tennis team, was much below his best. E. Sargisson, the No. 4. man, again gave a steady display, his defence from behind the table being a feature of his game. . • . The recent reports of Halligan (Empire) as a greatly-improved player were fully justified, for he accounted for. three of his opponents in convincing style. Previously Halligan has been troubled by a high ball, but on this occasion he hit well and his driving against Bornholdt was really good. A. T. Wood, who shared his singles, has been seen to better advantage, his driving on the backhand on this occasion being noticeably weak. J. F. Wall, who won only one of his singles, was obviously nervous. A. Harding, well beaten by H. Bornholdt and G. Mcßride, was not as reliable as usual. In the doubles play the honours were again shared, but with a little of the luck which favoured Petone Tennis the Empire team would have pulled through. NORTH ISLAND FINALS. Detailed results, as published in the Auckland "Star," of the finals of the North Island championships, are as follows. The players are designated by (A.) for Auckland, (W.) for Wellington, and (H.y.) for Hutt Valley. Men's Singles.—J. Swift (A.) beat Cantlay (A.), 16-21, 12-21, 21-10, 21-17, 22-20. . ■ Ladies' Singles. — Miss Wilkinson (A.) beat Miss McAdam (A.)', 21-19, 21- ---- 1-8-.-■ Men's Doubles. —Cantlay and Boys (A.) beat Burke and Boniface (W.), 20----22, 20-22, 21-13, 21-18, 21-17. Ladies' Doubles. —Miss McAdam ami Miss Wilkinson (A.) beat. Miss Dove and Miss Bond (A.), 21-18, 22-20. Combined Doubles.—Boys and Miss Dove (A.) beat Macfarlane (W.) and Miss Strang (H.V.), 13-21, 21-8, 21-12. Junior Men's Singles.—Morrison beat Sale, 21-11, 21-12. In the ladies' doubles the Hutt Valley and New Zealand champions, Misses K. Tustin and M. Walsh, were eliminated by the winners, Misses McAdam and Wilkinson. The Hutt Valley lady players, Mesdames Valk and Ingham and Misses K. Tustin, B. Strang, and M. Walsh, were, with the exception of Misses Tustin and Strang, eliminated early. The latter pair were beaten in the semi-finals. Roberts and L. Pyne, the men's representatives, were eliminated in the first and second rounds of the singles. SUGGESTED DATES. Dates suggested for the Hutt Valley Table Tennis Association's representative programme for 1937 were announced by the association's secretary. Mr. S. J. Smith, as follows:—August 14.—v. Manawatu, at.Hutt. August 21. —v. Wellington, at Wellington. . August 28.—v. Wanganui, at Hutt. September 4.—v. Christchurch, at Christchurch. September 18. —v. Wairarapa, at Ma'sterton. . The Valley Association is also endeavouring to finalise" arrangements with the Wellington Association for a match for lower grade players. It is suggested that the contest be a six-n----side competition for C grade players. If arrangements can be completed, it is expected that the match will take place at the. Hutt. ■ . ' .. Empire No.. 1, Petone Tennis, Hutt Cricket, and Alicetown Trinity having sorted themselves out as the first four to participate in the second round of the.Hutt Valley .Association's A grade championship, the draw for the second round has been announced. as follows:— First Division.—Hutt Cricket v. Potone Tennis, Empire.Nb. 1 v. Alicetown Trinity. . .-'.'" ' . Second Division.—Empire. No. 2 v. Woburn, St. Ronan's v. Taita.