TABLE TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 22723, 10 August 1937, Page 4

TABLE TENNIS

OTAGO V. SOUTHLAND The return match between Otago and Southland was played at Invercargill on Saturday night. Best of three games were played, resulting in the Otago men winning by 34 sets to 7, comprising 72 games to 19; and the Otago ladies winning 21 sets to 13, comprising 46 games to 33. Consideration must be taken of the fact that three of Southland’s best lady players were absent. This, however, resulted in making the games more evenly contested. It was found that with many of the Southland men players their game was in the transition stage, made necessary by adopting the open tennis style. Particularly was this noticeable in the case of Louden, who had dropped his usual steady game in favour of a new grip find style. This undoubtedly affected his scoring shots, hut he should soon improve his game. Uobson, the leading Southland player, showed improved form with the new style. Bray, another player with a determined defence, fully extended the Otago players, though not using the tennis style. Smith, another Southlander, played excellently, taking a game from Laidlaw, 21-16, although Laidlaw won the other two games, Sill, 21-15 These were the best players for Southland.

The Otago men, Pollock and Miller, won all their games. G. Claridge was not so successful as usual, while Laidlaw lost only one game. Boyd and Stanton won the majority or their games. Taken all round it was a very successful match, and the Southland players should benefit in their play considerably. Miss Bennett, for Otago, played her usual determined game, winning all her sets, although she lost one game to Miss Gcrkch, 21-IG. Miss Bennett was the only Otago player to win a set from Mrs Broad, one of Southland’s leading lady players. DRAW FOR TO-MORROW. B 1. Grade—Bennett’s v. St. Clair, at St. Glair; Locomotive v. St. Patrick’s, at St. Patrick’s; Dunedin v. P. and T., at, Dunedin. B 11. Grade.—South End I. v. Pioneer, at Pioneer; Boys’ Division v. South End 11., at South End; Paramount, a bye. C I. Grade.—Residents v. St. Patride’s 1., at Y.M.C.A.; Che\-rolet I. v. Zenith, at Zenith; Bennett’s v. Averant, at Bennett’s. C 11. Grade.—P. and T. v. Dunedin, at Dunedin; St. Patrick’s 11. v. Chevrolet 11., at St. Patrick’s; South End v. Fire Brigade, at Fire Brigade.