TABLE TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22342, 16 August 1934, Page 6

TABLE TENNIS

OTAGO TOURNAMENT The following are the results of the Otago Table Tennis tournament:— MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. First Round.—N. Patchett defeated C. Deaker 31—25, 21—31, 32—30; C. Hall defeated G. Pearce 31—21, 31—19; H. Pollock defeated W. Strachan 31 —28, 31 23; R. Johnson defeated M. Milburn 31— 2g 3i 23. ’Second Round.—J. D. Miller defeated N. Mollison 31—10, 31—16; C. Hall defeated N. Patchett 31 —15, 31—14; R. Johnson defeated H. Pollock 31—25, 3122; R. Dunbar defeated A. Gourlay 31— 23 3i 24. Semi-finals. —J. D. Miller defeated C. Hall 31—15, 31—14; R. Johnson defeated R. Dunbar 21—31, 32—30, 31—18. Final—J. D. Miller defeated R. Johnson 31—11, 31—21. . . The championship provided some good games, though scarcely of championship standard. There were no surprises and very little new talent appeared. Only nine entrants from the eight A Grade teams in the competition was a poor response to the association’s efforts in promoting the tournament. J._ D. Miller is to be congratulated on winning the championship without the loss of a game. The first game between Miller and Mollison was won fairly easily by the former, 31—10, 31—16. Deaker was very unfortunate to lose to Patchett after holding a good lead in the third game. The match Between _ Pearce and Hall was one-sided, Pearce being obviously off form, while Hall played well. He gave Patchett no quarter in the next round and advanced to the semi-final where he was beaten by Miller. Pollock, who is easily the best stylist in Dunedin, had to fight hard to win his _ first game against Strachan, but, playing very attractively and very severely, won in two games. R. Johnson began well by defeating the promising young Grange player, Milburn, in two games, and narrowly averting defeat by Dunbar reached the finals, where he met Miller. He could not make headway against Miller, who won the championship event for the second consecutive year. Miller is not a stylish player; in fact, to a spectator he appears awkward, but it is his court tactics, cross-table play, and steadiness that wears down the opponent. LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. Miss M. Fogarty defeated Miss B. Scott 31—21, 31—29. Final. —Miss M. Fogarty defeated Miss A. Rosa 31—20, 31—23. There were only three entries for this event, and the standard of play wag very good, though not ag, fast as the men’s play. Miss Fogarty was scarcely extended, and won both her matches without dropping a game. Miss Scott played well and was only defeated by two points in the second game. The winner played very confidently in the final and fully deserved her win. MEN’S HANDICAP SINGLES. Semi-finals.—G. Laidlaw (rec. 7) defeated F. Fordham (rec. 10) 31—28. 18— SI, 31 —27; C. E. Claridge (scr) defeated G. Knowles (rec. 3) 31—28, 31 —28. Final. —G. Laidlaw defeated C. E. Claridge 31—22, 31—25. Right throughout this event nearly all the matches were very closely contested. Fordham is a very steady player, playing more of a defensive game by returning all the balls, but not actually driving many with the idea of making winners of them. Laidlaw played a steady game against Fordham, but was more aggressive. The score shows, excepting for the second game where Laidlaw was overdriving, the close nature of the games. In the final Laidlaw’s drives were very accurate, finding the corner of the table practically every time. Claridge was not playing as steadily as earlier in the evening, and Laidlaw won the match comfortably. MEN'S HANDICAP DOUBLES. Semi-finals. —N. Patchett and G. Laidlaw (rec. 6) defeated J. E. Dawson and C. E. Claridge (rec. 4) 31—17, 31 —24; G. Knowles and M. Milburn (rec. 6) defeated G. Pearce and H. Pollock (owe Final.—N. Patchett and G. Laidlaw defeated G. Knowles and M. Milburn 31— 27 27. Although Knowles and Milburn defeated Pearce and Pollock, when the handicaps are taken into consideration the latter pair put up a very creditable performance. The combination between Patchett and Laidlaw —the eventual winners—was excellent, and was too good for Claridge and Dawson in the semi-finals and Knowles and Milburn in the final. LADIES’ HANDICAP SINGLES.

Final.—Mias E. A. Dawson (scr) defeated Miss N, Dunlop (scr) 17—31, 31— 24. 31—17.

There were only four entries for this event. Miss N. Dunlop defeated Miss Williams 31—29, 23—31, 31—28, In this game every point was fought for, and both players were very evenly matched. Miss E. A. Dawson defeated Miss A. Turnbull "1 —14, 31 —9. Miss ThrnUull lost many of her points through netting serves. Even so, Miss Dawson was a very steady player, and very easily scored points by good court play. The final was severely contested. Miss Dunlop having a runaway win in the first game. Miss Dawson was over-driving many of ber_ balls. However, Miss Dawson played steadier in the second game, and decisively won ber third game.