GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TABLE TENNIS

Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 16

GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TABLE TENNIS

By

SPIN

Prospects for table tennis appear to be bright for the coming season and in spite of the loss of a number of men through the war new players are filling the gaps and the number of teams should be at least as large as last year. One club, however, may not be able to enter in the men’s competitions. The association has decided to open the season by a tournament which is to begin next Monday and will be continued on Tuesday and Wednesday. The events to be played are as follows: Monday—Women’s singles, men’s singles, and women’s doubles. Tuesday—Men’s , singles, men’s doubles and women’s singles.

Wednesday—Mixed doubles and men’s and women’s singles open to those players who have never won a prize at table tennis. All the events are handicaps and post entries will be accepted. Players competing are assured of two games in each event. The programme has been spread over three nights to give all players the opportunity of competing on at least one night. Import restrictions have not yet had an effect on table tennis supplies and all sports dealers appear to have j sufficient bats and balls to meet any I demand this season. It is possible, however, that the best bats imported from overseas may not last very long and those players requiring new ones are advised to purchase them early while there is a good variety offering. In the women’s A grade St. Mary’s, Star, Rata, are expected to enter teams similar to last year while a new club, United, is also competing. Civil Service will be unable to enter a senior team this year but the vacancy will be filled by another new team, while Wright Stephenson’s is endeavouring to enter again. In the B grade Meteor, St. Mary’s, Star and Civil Service are expected to compete and there is a possibility of another team being formed. The men’s A grade competition should be very close this season as Star which has won the competition for the last three years has broken up and Breayley will now play for Union which has come up from the B grade. St. Mary’s is expected to field a very strong A team and with the players at the club’s disposal it may be able to enter two teams that would be capable of 1 holding their own with any of the other teams. Kelvin House will not be entering a team this year but Meteor will be although it has lost some of its best players. W.S. & Co. will have its usual strong side and it will again be difficult to defeat.

In the men’s B grade Star will be entering two teams as will Union while Southern last year’s winner of this competition will probably be competing although it has lost several players. Southland Frozen Meat Company’s team has been affected through the war but the club is endeavouring to carry on.