TABLE TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23318, 29 September 1945, Page 6

TABLE TENNIS

High Standard Reached Tournament Games A past generation who had referred to the game as ping pong would never have recognised it as such, had they witnessed the games played at the table tennis tournament last week. The game has made vast strides over the last decade, has carried on with full support during the war years, and the recent tournament produced some of the best games seen in Timaru since the competitions were first begun. Playing from as far back as 10 feet from the table, the champions of South Canterbury, Christchurch and Wellington, had magnificent control of the ball and showed an equal facility with both their cutting and driving, producing games which were fast, hard and of a high standard of table tennis. The fact that the tournament went so smoothly was due to the splendid work of the committee led by their president (Mr C. Plimmer). All the games went off according to schedule

and with the many tables in operation, rarely was one left idle for more than a few moments. All games were completed with a minimum of delay. On the first night 106 games were played in the handicap events and on the championship night 85 matches were completed. The tournament must be considered the most successful ever held in South Canterbury with record entries totalling more than 200 for the various events. The inclusion of the leading players from other centres gave an added interest to the game but it is to the local players that most credit is due. Out of the 25 teams of a 100 players who took part in the competitions this season entries were received from 83 which is conclusive evidence i of the popularity of the tournament and the support given by club mem- I bers. Outstanding Player The outstanding player was S. A. Bremford, winner of the men’s singles championship. Parterned by A. Rosevear, he won the men’s doubles event and with Mrs B. Baigent retained the mixed championship title. Bremford also won the men's handicap singles from scratch. Throughout the tournament he drove with speed and accuracy. He continuously placed his opponents on the defensive and forced them Snto errors. From a spectator's point of view, the final against D. Hurdley, of Wellington, was not as exciting as either of the semi-finals and the result was never in doubt. Both players adopt the pen holder grip and the perfectly executed backhand and forehand shots of some of the players who adopt the tennis grip were not seen in this game. In the semi-finals the large audience, was treated to excellent exhibitions. After dropping the first two sets and being down 2-6 in the third. D. Hurdley made a grand recovery to beat J. Borough of Christchurch. In the fifth and final set his better match temperament was evident against his youthful opponent. Adopting tactics which had proved successful in a recent club game. A. Rosevear gave Bremford his hardest game of the tournament when he took him to five sets in the other semifinal. Rosevear was content to allow Bremford to attack and patiently waited for the right ball to kill. At 19 all in the fifth set he made the mistake of coming in to the table and Bremford won the next two points. This game produced tennis of the highest standard and was the best exhibition seen during the championships. In the women's singles Miss L. Mills retained her title. The surprise in this event was the first round defeat of Mrs B. Baigent by her club mate. Miss B. Gawit.h, who subsequently went out to Miss M. Green. The final between Miss Mills and Miss Green did not produce tennis of a particulary high standard. Both girls appeared nervous and Miss Mills won comfortably in straight sets. A popular win in the junior singles was that of A. Young, the youthful Chinese player. He possesses some excellent attacking shots and with further coaching should develop into a first class player. Most footballers engage in other sporting activities during the summer months, such as cricket, tennis, swimming and rowing. Manv have difficulty in filling in between the seasons but this year tug-of-war has attracted many Ruebv players. Two teams have been formed from the Celtic and Zingari Clubs to take part in the forthcoming Patriotic Carnival.