INTERPROVINCIAL BADMINTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 7

INTERPROVINCIAL BADMINTON

INAUGURAL MATCH OTAGO DEFEATS CANTERBURY The first interprovincial badminton match between Otago and Canterbury was played on the Oamaru badminton courts on Saturday, resulting in a convincing win for' Otago. All the games were keenly contested, and in most of them it was the greater experience and courtcraft of the Otago players that brought them victory. Otago took all the Men's Singles, but both Abbott and Swallow had particularly hard macthes against Welch and Wilson respectively. Abbott, who played at the top of his form throughout the day. was up against a strong player in Welch. The Canterbury man is tall, and with his long reach has an effective smash. He compelled Abbott to produce his best badminton before submitting. Ferguson (Otago) also played outstandingly, winning all his matches, and on his present form he looks a possibility for the Otago Singles Championship in September. Stevens, making his first appearance in the Otago team, started nervously, but later showed good form in both his Singles and his Combined Doubles. Partnered with Miss Mcintosh, he covered the court, well and smashed strongly and accurately throughout the match. _ « ~ Swallow and Stevens (Otago Doubles champions) had to lower their colours to Welch and Wilson, of Canterbury in the first Men's Doubles. This-match was the most spectacular of the day, with Wilson and Swallow showing the best form. The first set went to Canterbury. Otago took the second comfortably, but could not sustain their effort, and Canterbury, playing with vigour, broke through and took the deciding set. The Women's Singles were also close, and Miss K. Angell (Otago) played cleverly to defeat Mrs Stokes (Canterbury), a fit and vigorous player, who was beaten on the day by superior tactics. Miss Angell exploited the weakness of her opponent's backhand and used a cross-court drop shot to advantage. . Miss ' Erridge and Miss Mcintosh combined well in their Doubles and both played good badminton in their singles. Miss Leith showed lack of hard practice, and her clearing shots were not deep enough, allowing the opponents to maintain their attacking position. Results (Otago names first):— Men's Singles.—Abbott beat Welch 18—17. 11—15. 15—7: Ferguson beat Ainger 15—8. 15—6: Swallow beat Wilson 15—10. 18—17; Stevens beat Samms 17—16, 15—8. Women's Singles.—Miss Angell beat Mrs Stokes 11-8. 8-11. 11-8; Miss Erridge beat Miss Peake 13—14. 11—7. 11—8; Miss Leith lost to Mrs Fallon 13—14 11—7, 8—11; Miss Mcintosh beat Miss Hamilton 11-5. 11—7. Men's Doubles.—Swallow and Stevens lost to Welch and Wilson 12—15. 15_4 7_is; Abbott and Ferguson beat Ainger and Samms 18—14. 15—11. 'Women's Doubles.—Misses Angell and Leith lost to Mrs Stokes and Miss Peake 18—17. 5—15. 11—15: Misses Erridge and Mcintosh beat Mrs Fallon and Miss Hamilton 5—15. 15—6. 15—9. Mixed Doubles.—Abbott and Miss Angell beat Welch and Mrs Stokes 15—12 15—12: Ferguson and Miss Erridee beat Wilson and Miss Peake 18—16 4—15. 15—5; Swallow and Miss Leith lost to Ainsrer and Mrs Fallon 18—17. 3—15. 14—17; Stevens and Miss Mcintosh beat Samms and Miss Hamilton 15—6. 15—9.