TABLE TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 58, 5 September 1940, Page 5

TABLE TENNIS

NATIONAL TITLES

R. A. ALGIE RETAINS CHAMPIONSHIP

R. A. Algie, of Dunedin, retained the national table tennis championship by defeating E. Boniface, Wellington, in straight sets at the Town Hall last night. About 500 spectators were present.

Algie proved the outstanding competitor of the meeting by taking the singles, and the men's doubles with his brother, A. R. Algie. In the singles semi-final, against W. J. Fogarty, of Dunedin, he won with much to spare. He did not extend himself in a somewhat dull game. His performance improved immensely in the doubles, the finest game of the night, and in the singles final, at the end of the programme, he was clearly the master. He returned Boniface's fastest drives with interest and his backhand placements and occasional forehand aces carried great speed. He drove Boniface into errors by. the crafty use of spin. Boniface, a fine stylist, made a strong effort to take the third set by taking five points in a row. ■: The women's singles was won by Mrs. M. G. Valk, of the Hutt Valley, from Mrs. H. D. Kennedy, Wellington. The contest was between Mrs. Valk's forehand and Mrs. Kennedy's backhand and some spectacular and effective placements from the middle of the deciding set to the finish gave Mrs. Valk the title. Mrs. Kennedy won a title, however, by partnering Miss D. Croxton in the women's doubles, in which her backhand reaped many points. Miss Croxton was quick • and agile in returning the ball and the two combined well.

Miss Croxton won a second title in association with M. Gosling in the mixed doubles championship. J. Croudis and Miss B. Strang, the losers, had many chances of victory, but Miss I Strang's endeavour to end the rallies with aces was not helpful to her side. Scarcely one of them came off and controlled play would have been much more effective. . M. Friend, of Dunedin, took the boys' title from L. R. Muirson, the holder, in spite of his out-dated penholder grip. Friend also appeared in the men's semi-final against Boniface and in both games gave a notable exhibition of hard hitting. Prizes and trophies were presented by Mr. E. Casey, president of the Wellington association. Results were:— , Junior Girls' Singles.—Final: Miss J. Strange (Wellington) beat Miss R. Rea (Wellington), 21-16, 21-15. Junior boys' singles, final: M. Friend (Otago) beat L. R. Muirson (Christchurch), 21-19, 21-18. Men's singles, semifinals : R. A. Algie (Otago) beat W. J. Fogarty (Otago), 17-21, 21-13, 21-12, 21-12; E. Boniface (Wellington) beat Friend, 21-5, 18-21. 21-14, 21-11; final, Algie beat Boniface, 21-IS, 21-13, 21-19. Women's singles, final: Mrs. M. G. Valk (Hutt Valley) beat, Mrs. H. D. Kenned? (Wellington), 18-21, 21-13, 21-15; Women's doubles, final: Mrs. H. D. Kennedy and Miss D. Croxton (Wellington) beat Misses M. Wareham and M. Johnston (Wellington), 21-19, 21-16. Combined doubles, final: M. Gosling and Miss Croxton (Wellington) beat 3. Croudis and Miss B. Strang (Hutt Valley), 17-21, 21-18, 22-20.