BADMINTON GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23053, 2 June 1938, Page 7

BADMINTON GAME

> PALMERSTON TOURNEY AUCKLAND TEAM'S SUCCESS HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY BY SIDELINE For several years past the Palmerston North badminton tournament has been restricted to four teams in the Palmers--1 ton North area, but this year its scope ' was extended to include all the dis--1 tricts in the North Island with the exception of Waikato, which was unable to enter a strong team. The eight teams were divided into two sections of four, more or less in the order of merit, and each played the other three in its section. Contrary to general expectations in Palmerston North, Auckland succeeded in winning the A section by a convincing margin. Of the 16 games in each I match, Auckland lost five to Wellington, four to Wairarapa and two to Taranaki. In view of the tiring train journey this performance speaks well for tlio prowess of the Auckland players. _ The tournament assumed greater importance owing to the presence of two of the three New Zealand selectors, and the performances of the various players will probably have some bearing on their chances of selection for the New Zealand team to meet Australia shortly. Interesting events from _ both the public and selectors' point o"f view were the first men's singles in each match. Prior to the tournament Hawkesworth, Wairarapa ; had been undefeated for some considerable period and was regarded by many as the finest player in New Zealand. Spedding, Taranaki, had been beaten by Hawkesworth on the two occasions on which they had mot, but was regarded as probably the second best player. RousseH, Wellington, had had several games with Hawkesworth without beating him, and was given a good chance of selection for the New Zealand team. Wilson, Auckland, had not played either Hawkesworth or Spedding, and had beaten Roussell on the one occasion on which they met some four or five years ago ; Although regarded as a very promising player by Aucklanders, Wilson was thought to have an outside chance of selection in the New Zealand team.

The first upset occurred when Wilson beat Spedding. This was a very good game, with Wilson always slightly on top._ Some < time afterward Spedding retrieved his reputation by decisively beating Hawkesworth, but in his third game he was defeated by Roussell. At this stage Wilson played Hawkesworth and, although ho put up a good effort in the first game, he lost control of his service in the second and could not maintain the pace. A further sensation was in store, for Roussell also beat Hawkesworth, and had thus defeated the top two players. To add to the selectors' difficulties, Wilson, playing a great game and overcoming his service weakness, proceeded to beat Roussell in a very close and exciting three-sets match. In the, ladies' matches Miss Fleming, Wellington, proved equal to winning all her matches, and was the best Jady player at the tournament. Miss J. Ramsay and Mrs. Wren, of Auckland, also played well, although the latter was somewhat handicapped by a heavy cold. Miss Greeves, Wanganui, was outstanding in the second section, in which her team was successful.

R. Hull and M. T. Wilson, Auckland's first pair in the doubles, beat D. Reid and E. Roussell in straight games. The Auckland pair were more aggressive than their opponents and, smashing hard when the opportunity offered, were not seriously threatened. Against Hawkesworth and Payton, Hull and Wilson lost the second game by a narrow margin, but won the third decisively at 11—12. Hawkesworth is not so convincing in doubles play as he is in singles, and the Auckland players' aggressiveness in attack was again the deciding factor in thsir success.

The standard of play was probably higher than any vet seen from New Zealand players, this augurs well for New Zealand's prospects of defeating Australia in the test match at Wbllington.