SPARKLING PLAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1939, Page 7

SPARKLING PLAY

A THRILLING FINAL IN BADMINTON SINGLES. DOUBLES TO MRS YOUNG AND MISS RISHWORTH. The finals the Wairarapa Badminton Association's fifth annual championship and handicap meeting were played off in the Drill Hall, Masterton. on Saturday night. The highlight of an evening of sparkling play was the final of the men's championship singles between J. J. Payton and J. Lulham. Payton. the North Island champion, went under in two sets, the last advantage, in the best championship final ever played in the Drill Hall. Stroking beatifLilly and placing his shots accurately. Lulham returned time after time Payton's bullet smashes. The atmosphere was tense when after being 8-2 down in the second set, Payton equalised at 10-all. Setting at five, Payton lost his chance by several errors. Payton was trapped into errors by Lulham’s disconcerting drop shots over the net. Lulham was a tired man, and was fortunate in holding Payton off from a three set match. The match was watched with intense interest by a large crowd, and produced badminton of a standard rarely seen anywhere in New Zealand.

Mrs D. Young and Miss N. Rishworth played splendidly to win the ladies championship doubles on a three set match.

Miss D. McCarthy, No. 1 Taranaki ranker, defeated Mrs D. Young in a closely contested match. The trophy orders and certificates were presented by Mrs J. H. Payton, a keen supporter of badminton, in the absence of the president and his wife. Mr and Mrs E. K. Eastwood.

The Wairarapa Badminton Association’s cup for the A grade inter-club was won by Mastertcn A and was presented to the club captain, H. M O’Connor. The executive are to be congratulated on the smooth running of the tournament. Results of finals are:— Championships. Men’s singles: J. Lulham beat J. J. Payton, 15-11, 18-14. Women's singles: Miss D. McCarthy (Taranaki) beat Mrs D. Young, 11-8. 13-10. Men’s doubles: J. J. Payton and J. Lulham beat G. S. Simpson and P. Martin, 15-8, 15-5. Women’s doubles: Mrs D. Young and Miss N. Rishworth beat Misses Cohen and McCarthy (Taranaki), 11-4, 11-14. 11-6. Combined doubles: J. J. Payton and Miss D. Allen beat J. Lulham and Mrs D. Young, 3-15, 15-8, 17-16. Handicap Events. Men’s singles: F. D. G. Walker (owe 7) beat J. J. Payton (owe 45), 21-10. Women’s singles: Miss N. Dixon (rec 3) beat Miss Nan ■ Rishworth (owe 2) 15-6. Women’s A grade doubles: Misses McCarthy and Cohen (owe 15) beal Misses Harrington and Brown (rec 10), 21-18. Men’s A grade doubles: G. W. McCullough and F. D. G. Walker beat C. Newland and H. Dixon, 21-17. Combined doubles: J. J. Payton and Miss D. Allen (owe 30) beat W. Jones and Miss V. Gosnell (Wellington) (rec 4) 21-14. Men’s B grade doubles: P. Cardno and N. Faulknor (scr) beat W. Grieg and K. Brader (owe 5), 21-7. Women’s B grade doubles: Misses Richards and Yates (owe 10), beat Misses Holtham and Watson (scr), 2117. Combined doubles: W. Jones and Miss Gosnell (Wellington) (owe 6) beat G. B. Peterson and Miss H. Brown, 21-15. WAIRARAPA TEAM. TO PLAY WELLINGTON. The following have been selected to represent Wairarapa in a Badminton representative fixture at Wellington on Saturday night:—Misses N. Richards, M. Bell, E. Madsen, N. Dixon, E. Wickens, G. McCormick; Messrs G. W. McCullough, F. D. G. Walker, H. Dixon. G. B. Peterson, J. E. Dwane, B. M. Hurley. Any player unable to make the trip is requested to communicate immediately with the secretary, Mr C. Carle (“Times-Age” Office). NEW ZEALAND TEAM. RECEPTION IN AUSTRALIA. Advice received in Masterton from the party' accompanying the New Zealand Badminton Test team at presen touring Australia states that after t rough crossing the team was given a royal welcome by the Australian Badminton Federation. The party were driven around the Sydney harbour anc bays and after a marvellous time lef yesterday for Melbourne. The Rev W H. Austin, manager of the team, ha:become a great favourite with the players on account of his splendid management.