TABLE TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22847, 30 September 1937, Page 9

TABLE TENNIS

HUNGARIAN CHAMPIONS

EXHIBITION AT TOWN HALL BRILLIANCE OF VISITORS Table tennis held a,new fascination for the crowd ■which filled the concert chamber of the Town, Hall last evening to witness tho play of the Hungarian and world champions, Istvan Kelen and Miklos Szabados. While the actv.al play of the visitors did not produce anything approaching tho unorthodox, their speed, precision and ability to recover from almost impossible positions * won applause. v Tho visitors' matches against local champions provided some fine exhibitions, and while fast and sparkling shots' enabled the Hungarians to gain many points, tho local players were often led into errors. The highlight of the evening was the exhibition game between the Hungarians. Kelen was equally at homo 011 attack or defence, but his muin scoring shot was a deft backhand flick which sent the ball off the edge of the tabic with amazing speed. To counter this Szabados, sometimes as far back from the table as 15ft., scooped the ball from about an inch oil the floor to return it over the net with a dropping shot. Kelen's top-spin forehand drives were executed perfectly. Kelen won the match by 21 —IS, 'JO—22, 15 —21, 21—10. 21—22. Sir Ernest Davis, patron of tho Auckland Table Tennis Association and Lady Davis were interested spectators. A cup presented by Mr. n.. W. Brien, a vice-president of the association, for the best performance against the visitors was won by J. Munns in the match against Szabados. Following are tho results of the other games:— Singles.—Kelen defeated A. E. Cheal, 21—15, 21—15; Szabados defeated J. Munns, 21—11, 21—15; Kelen defeated J._ Swift, 21—7, 21 —33; Szabados defeated K. Cantlay, 21—It, 21—8; Kelen defeated H. Boys, 21 —12, 21 —11; Szabados defeated F. Paton, 21—0, 21—11. Doubles.—Szabados and Kelen defeated F. Paton and J. Drabble, 21 —IS, 21—9; Szabados and Kelen defeated K. Cantlay and H. Boys, 21—11, 21—14. - ... MAYORAL RECEPTION HOSPITALITY APPRECIATED The value of their tour in promoting international goodwill was stressed by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, in welcoming the visiting Hungarian table tennis players, Miklos Szabados and Istvan Kelen at a reception held yesterday. Sir Ernest, Tvho is patron of the Auckland Table Tennis Association, congratulated the visitors on their prowess in a game which was now being recognised as the fastest ball gamo in tho world. In expressing appreciation of the hospitality shown to them, Mr. Kelen said that, although they had travelled extensively £: through the Continent and elsewhere, they had made friendships in New Zealand which ' ' would be an inspiration to them. Explaining that prior to tho Great "War his country . v had a population of twenty-four millions, but since the Versailles Treaty it comprised only ' seven millions. Mr. Kelep said that more than anything else. Hungary wanted the friendship of the British Empire. His country had no desire for war, but for a lasting peace. The speaker said that there was a desire in the world to-day for a new civilisation based on fellowship and goodwill and, in his . opinion, that civilisation would begin in New Zealand. Of all the places that he and his colleague had visited, the people of New Zealand had displayed the most outstandingly sincere friendship. He could therefore assure the Mayor and the people of tho Dominion that both he and Mr. Szabados would return to Hungary as active ambassadors for New Zealand.