BADMINTON COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 16

BADMINTON COMMENTS.

WINNERS OF GROUP MATCHES AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. With the exception of No. 5 group, in which Northern 13 has to meet St. Andrews, all group nmtchesjiavc been played in the Auckland Badminton Association's inter-club competition, the winning clubs being Parnell, Central, Technical and Northern A. The No. 5 group matches will be completed this week, and the draw ■will then be made for the concluding rounds when interesting contests should result. Judging by the play so far, Central appears almost certain to opposo Parnell, the present holders of the Dart Shield, in the filial. St. David's played well against Central, but was unable to secure more than one win, Weir and Haydon beating Wilson and McKeown. For Central, Wilson showed up well, while for the losers Weir and Haydon displayed improved form. The St. David's ladies all played well against strong combinations. The Auckland Provincial championships will take place at Scots Hall on August 13, 14 and 15. As the championship committee has set itself the heavy task of getting through live B grade scratch and five handicap events, as well as the usual championship events, it is probable that Rome of the early rounds will bo played in other balls prior to the commencement of play at, Scots Hall. The Auckland championships will be followed by the New Zealand meeting in Wellington in the first week in September. For the Auckland tournament the first-year players' events have been dropped this year and a B grade section added. An interesting match took place between [Auckland and Remue.ra, the latter club winning at home by nine matches to three find by the same score at Parnell. and Maitland (Auckland) had a good match with Hill and Dr. Wilson. The last-named pair combined better and established their ascendancy in the closing stages. Maitland is a much-improved player, and was conspicuous for good play throughout. In the combined events Mains and Miss' Hankin did well to extend Brown-Douglas and Miss L. Waller to 15—14, while Maitland and Miss Bews also showed to advantage in a close game with Hull and Miss Parker. At Auckland A. Stedman and S. Hay had possibly the most exciting doubles of the serins with a score of 21—19 in their favour against Whitelaw and Lunu. J. Stedman and S. Harris wero defeated by Cato and Berril by two points, all four players being in good t form.