TABLE TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 4

TABLE TENNIS

By Backhand

FIXTURES August 11 and 12.—Otago championships, at Dunedin. August 15 and 16.—South Island championships, at Invercargill August 18 and 19. —New Zealand championships, at Dunedin. HIGHEST SCORES FOR THE WEEK Men's A Grade.—R. Algie, 8 games; N. Brown. 8 games; L. Brown. 8 games: L. Howe, 7 games. Women's A Grade.—Miss M. Fogarty, 8 games; Miss E. Knight, 8 games; Miss Smyth, 8 garner; Miss E. Lock, 7 games; Miss L. Hayward. 7 games; Miss P. Fogarty. 7 games. R. A ALGIE'S VICTORY The congratulations of all the sporting community will go to R. A. Algie, who travelled to Wellington last week-'* end, and, after defeating the cream of Wellington's and Lower Hutt's table tennis players, gained selection in the New Zealand team which will tour Australia in September. Algie defeated some of the best players in the Dominion, and proved that he is in international class. Arriving in Wellington on Friday morning., he was requested to meet Wesley, one of the province's foremost players that night. Notwithstanding the long trip, Algie promptly despatched this player in two straight games. Then again on Saturday he defeated the North Island champion, Evan Hughes, in straight sets. It has been said that Hughes possesses the most effective defensive shots in New Zealand, and all the more credit is due to our Otago champion.in beating him in straight games. Algie next met Corbett, whom he also defeated in two straight games, and continued on his winning way to beat Wesley by two games to one. On Sunday a special series of trial matches was arranged, arid the players who took part were Hughes. Boniface, Gosling and Algie. Two of these players were to complete the New Zealand team, since Cantlay and Boyes. of Auckland, were almost certainties. Playing with confidence. Algie played a brilliant attacking game and succeeded in defeating the players against whom he was matched. The results were:— Algie beat Hughes by 2 games to 1. Boniface beat Gosling 2 games to 1. Algie beat Gosling in, 2. straight games. Boniface beat Hughes' by 2 games to i; • Boniface and Algie played themselves into the New Zealand team. Otago players are justifiably proud of their champion, and'we take this opportunity of wishing him all the best for a successful tour. • POINTS FOR UMPntES For the benefit of competitors and umpires alike, we wish to point out a number of problems in the way of questionable decisions which will face those officiating in the games at the forthcoming Otago and New Zealand championships. It behoves all interested in the game to take particular notice of these "knotty points," to ensure themselves of a thorough knowledge of the rules laid down by the International Federation. (1) No finger-spin may be used. • (2) If a player drops his racket he is not permitted to return the ball with the empty hand. ! (3).1f in returning the-ball the racket leaves the player's band, it is a good return only if the racket is still in his hand at the moment of contact with the ball, and providing it does not touch the net or move the table surface before the ball has passed or beaten an opponent. , (5) If a player in attempting to serve (he must first have attempted to strike the ball) misses the ball altogether, it is a point against him, for the ball was actually in play from-the moment it left the server's'hand. (6) A net service is a " let" not only if otherwise good, but also if the ball be volleyed by the striker out, before passing the end of the table, after' striking the net. (7) If a ball splits in play and thus affects a player's return a " let" should be declared and the last pdint annulled, if the fractured ball caused the striker to lose the point:. The umpire must use his discretion here, but in air cases of doubt, a "let' should be declared. ' . (8) A moving spectator, a neighbouring player, a sudden noise. i.e., any neighbouring object in movement (except a partner) should be regarded as an accident not under control, interference from which implies a let These rules are ones that must also be strictly enforced: v - .' (9) At the moment of the impact of the racket on the ball in service both (the racket and ball) shall be behind the end line of the servers court and between an imaginary continuation of the sidelines. . . (10) Edge balls:—The phrase table surface" is to be interpreted' as including the. top edges corners of the table-top, and a ball which strikes these latter is therefore good and still in Play; though if it strikes evidently the side of the table-top below the top-edge, it becomes dead and counts against the last striker. . , SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO The Otago table tennis team which visited Invercargill last Saturday for the return game with Southland secured a convincing win in bojh the men's and women's sections. The Anal score was 100 games to 44. The Otago women were certainly in good form, all members of the team finishing up with good averages. The team was inconsistent, only two of the players-Miss McGrath and Mrs Marriott proved that they could match the ability of the opposition. These two players between them won 15 of the 27 games compiled by the f Southland women. Misses Lock. Knight and Watson played consistently for Otago and won nine games each. ' ■• . In the men's division Otago gained a decisive victory winning 55 games to Southland's 17. Some of the games produced fine table tennis, and many were won by narrow margins. S. Archer was the outstanding player of me 9 night/ being the only one to win hi* full quota of games. He attacked from the outset arid played ; magnificently to win all his games easily F Foster, with his defensive volley, proved too good for most of SS Southland Pavers and won 11 games in good style. H. PollocK ana £ am R e lmsay with 10 games each also riiH wpII for Otago. while G. Clandge dWMon both gave good displays I Robson, with six games showed that he is still a hard player to beat and many of his shots found several of the Otago players wanting. T. Breayies and J Ferguson each won three games Both are good stylists, and until the final points in each game they broke even with the Otago players, but at this stage of the gam« the flmsh of the latter asserted itself. J. Loudon deserves praise for his fine exhibition against Foster, whom he the second game 21—19 mis game was the highlight of the evenine Afterwards the teams were entertained at the home of Mr and Mrs Dobbs who are keen supporters of the game The thanks of all players are; extended to these two fine DeoDle for the delightful entertainment. NOTES Local players will be pleased to hear that Jack Foster, who recently suffered a severe accident to his eyes, is now out of hospital, and is well on the road to recovery. It is to be hoped that this fine player will soon be taking an active Dart in competition. MATCH COMMENTS Men's A Grade The much-awaited game St. Clair v. Chisholm's produced some sparklin« table tennis, and the decision was in doubt until the last Singles match was plaved between Downie and Ramsay The Chisholm's man won the closelyfought first game, to bring victory to his side. This young player, recently promoted from B Grade, played some remarkable games, and his effort in winning four, games against such a

strong team as St. Clair is deserving of the highest praise. R. A. Algie was undoubtedly the best player of the night, however, for he again won all his games, though he had to give of his best to beat Archer and Foster, who both ran him to a two-points decision. Archer gave another sterling display to win six games, and his severe chop upset the calculations of the St. Clair players F Foster also played some eood games, and his ability to return even the hardest drives earned him many points. His game with L. Algie was the hardest fought contest of the night, and created much excitement. The Chisholm's team thoroughly deserved its victory, and by defeating St. Clair they assumed the lead in the local A Grade competition leading Si Clair by one point. Dunedin overwhelmed Mornington to the tune of 29 games to five. For the former team. L. Brown appears to have regained his best form, for he decisively won the possible number of games. N. Brown was another Dunedin player who produced excellent form to win his eight games, while L. Howe and D. Smyth carried on in fine stylp , to take seven and five games respectively. Otway and Mackinnon. with two games each, were the best of the Mornington players, although Paine gave good opposition. Men's B Grade National Bank secured a convincing win over Chisholm's by the good margin of 22—10. Robertson for the Bank once again proved too good for the opposing players and won all his games. Mitchell, with a fine attacking style, won six of his games and lost, the other two in very close decisions. Ferguson, who plays some good defensive strokes, succeeded in winning five games. Beatson and Chisholm won three and four games respectively, and the latter, who is in his first year of table tennis., created a very favourable impression indeed. If this improvement continues, more should be heard of this player in the near future. Mussen for Chisholms was a disappointment, and for a representative player his winning only one game was certainly poor. Men's D Grade Roslyn Methodist met Normal 1, and defeated the latter team after, a close and enjoyable match, by 19 games to 13. Merritt was the best performer of. the night, and gave Roslyn a lead when he won all his games. D. Brown also played good table tennis to win six games. Lungley and Wright, who each won four games, played well for Normal. . ' Another close encounter took "place between Aotea and Hillside, ar.d »was' won by the former 18—14. Aotea showed much improved form and thoroughly deserved their victory For the winners R. McLay played consistently to win seven garr.es. while White, who won six games; was the best player for Hillside., Women's A Grade Dunedin proved superior to St. Patrick's 11, and trounced them by the large score of 29 games to 5 For Dunedin Misses Knight and Smyth were not troubled and each, won eight games easily. J. Lovell was the only player to give opposition, and won three games for St. Patrick's. The match between D.S.A. and Mornington was won by the former team by 21—13. The greatest surprise of the evening was the defeat of Mrs Monk by Miss Hayward in both games. Misses Lock and Hayward are now right at top* form, and will be serious contenders for the Otago title. Both won seven games in this match, including wins over the present Otago champion. Mrs Monk was the best of the Mornington team, and won five games. . . St. Patrick s won . from Kensington by the large score of 27—7. Kensington was definitely outclassed by the leaders of the competition, for whom Misses M. and P. Fogarty won eight and seven games respectively. Mm Craig and Miss Callon were the only scorers for Kensington, and took the seven games between them. Women's C Grade The game between Challenge and St. Patrick's would have proved an ininterestirig one if the Challenge team had been at full strength, for St. Patrick's, before adding the defaulted games, was leading by only two games. I. Wood, with seven games, played well for the latter, as did M. Bamford and B. Corcoran, who won six and five games respectively. R. Larkins and J. Harrison won four games each for Challenge, and showed good form. NORTH 6TAGO ASSOCIATION The North Otago Association has been operating in Oamaru now for the best part of this : season. Fourteen teams from nine clubs, are in the eleventh round of the competition. A representative team is in the making, and a match is to be played against TimarU at Timaru to-morrow. A date has not yet been fixed • for a match against Otago. but the representative team is looking forward to a good match.