HUNGARIANS WIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23101, 28 July 1938, Page 20

HUNGARIANS WIN

TABLE TENNIS TEST FIVE GAMES TO NIL NEW ZEALANDERS OUTCLASSED Fourteen times world's table tennis champion, seven years in the doubles, five in the similes and twice in the combined doubles. G. V. Barna and his partner, La/.10 Bellak, gave a biilliant display of table tennis at tlie Town Hall last evening, when they defeated the New Zealand representatives by live games to nil. 1 here was an excellent attendance and the play demonstrated the progress that has been made during the past lew years and the tact that table tennis is brilliant as a spectacle. The New Zealanders, although they tailed to score a win and were obviously not in the same class as the visitors, were not disgraced and showed themselves to be the possessors of many well-produced strokes. Bellak showed remarkable control agiinst M. Gosling, of Wellington. 1 lie New /ealander put up a good Tight and drove attractivelv. particularly on the forehand, but was unable to take a game. There were some interesting rallies in the IJarna-t annay niat. . The latter plaved well, although he did not seriouslv threaten the supremacy of the Hungarian.' Barna's backhand nick was a prolific point winner and the Xew Zealand had <lifliculty in anticipating the direction of these

The third and fourth singles, in which Bellak was opposed by C'antlay ind Barna bv Gosling. were similar to tlie previous contests. Both went to the Hungarians who plainly had much in reserve. Gosling snowed to advantage in some fine driving exchanges with Barna. who. however, was never 111 dancer and was much more consistent than his opponent. Gosling was inclined to break down on some of the easier shots, although many of his errors were doubtless brought about bv the solid defence of the Hungarian. The doubles went to the Hungarians in straight games without the visitors experiencing undue- difficulty. The real form of the visitors was shown in the singles match in which they opposed each other. Barna won 'Jl—l7, '-'l—l!>, 21—'J3. i'.l —1!». after a game in which every shot was exploited and the spectators were kept thrilled by many remarkable rallies. The Hungarians also gave an exhibition of clever trick shots. Without using their bats. Barna" and Bellak had several rallies by blowintr the ball over the net. The latter next played it with the edge of his bat and then with his foot. Results were as follows:

Singles.—L. Rellak beat M Gosling, o-| j 2l-11, 21 — lf>; V. Barna neat K. Cantlay, 21—(t. 21 —12. -I beat K. Cantlay, 'JI IT. 21 —Hi, 21-17; V. Barna beat M. Gosling. 21 —S, 21 —O. 21—0.

Doubles. —V. Rama and L. Bellak beat K. C'antlyy arul 11. Boys, 21 —1 •_», 21 — !i. •_'l 1 t.

Exhibition Matches. —V. Barna heal L Bellak. 21—17. 21— ID. •_»!—2l —1!»; F. R. Paton beat K. Che.nl, 21—7, 21 —17, •_"1—11. £