Table Tennis

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4483, 3 September 1940, Page 3

Table Tennis

(by "Ciitic")

A good muster at members took part iu the various games 0:1 Wednesday night and besides a number of practice games several challienges for ladder positions were decided. The truth, of the old axiom "Practice makes perfect" is brought home in all games. To no lesser degree does it apply to the game of Table Tennis and it' is pleasing to note the more enthusiastic members getting in some solid practice in the short time at their disposal during the evening. The first seven places 0:1 the women's ladder as appeared hj last week's' notes are held practically by the same players with the exception of third position which was regai ied by Mrs Keen who successfully challenged J!. Dagg the result being 2117. The latter had every chance of winning this game but for impetuous. driving from the forehand which lost her many valuable points. Tin's weakness was apparent in the -re-play which Mrs Keen won without effort 21-8. In a challenge for second pln.ee to Mrs Veint who. after a good game, Avon 21-18 Mrs Keen could not, find consistent touch with her forehand drives,. She should endeavour to improve, her play on the forehand and to place her service more to her advantage. Mrs Veint entered a strong challenge to R. Fussed for first place which, after an even game, the latter won 23-21. Rather than relying on speed the former should concentrate more on the placing of her forehand drives. She should improve her game in this direction. The majority of challenges at present are being entered by those in the top positions. There arc several lower down on the ladder whose standard of play is higher than is indicated by the places, they hold. Those of mention are Mrs Lindsay (8). D. Sew Hov (9). M. Mavhcw (10). Mrs, A. Tandrebc (12) and A. MoDowaU (13). More challenges from these players would result in an improvement in their ladder positions. Mrs Lindsay's

Iranio has noticeably improved and further practice would see her up with the top four. For the short time she has been a member P. Wheatley has greatly improved her game and being an enthusiastic young member she will advance with practice. M. Mayhew also a keen player is playing a much steadier game. Challenges on the men’s ladder saw an alteration in several positions. E. MoSoriley regained first place by .defeating Williams. 2i-‘J and J. Keen 21 -13 and 21-17 while Bailey advanced to 6th place after winning from A. GrifLin 21-13 and E. Mills 21-11. E. Mills now in (sth place gained a decision over Bailey in the first game but lost in the challenge back 21-11. Mills, too. defeated Griffin 21-17, Other challenges' won during the evening were Hall over Bailey 21-11. Williams over Hall 22-210 and Keen over Williams 21-13, MoSoriley regained Ids form to some purposes in his matches with Keen and Williams and won through by a well-placed sendee aided by steady table play. Williams seemed to Lose touch during the etveaiiug and-was not controlling Ms shots well. He places his service to advantage but some of his returns are weak. Keen also was weak in his returns which were not always well directed. He, too, seemed to lose touch as regards his forehand play although he placed his service well. In the other games during the evening Bailey and Mills were in their usual consistent form and both arc hast becoming forces to be reckoned with. Consistent practice will bring them to their good form of past years. Of those lower on the ladder one of the- most promising is J. Lindsay whose game is becoming steadier each evening. More challenges' entered by this player would see him in a position on the ladder more consistent with his present standard of play. C. Nelson has- a good forehand and backhand drive and if he lakes more care with his shots he will get better results. J. Sadder is a good defensive player and has done well in his matches. Nelson and S'adlier will improve further with practice.