Increased Interest In Table Tennis Shown In Rangitikei

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 March 1949, Page 2

Increased Interest In Table Tennis Shown In Rangitikei

While keenness and enthusiasm were the keynote of the success and popularity of table tennis in the Rangitikei district last season—it was the best year experienced in the history of the local association—prospects for 1949 appear even brighter, judging by the information given by delegates at a meeting of the Rangitikei Table Tennis Sub-association on Friday night. At. least three new clubs—Hun tervi’ie. Bulls and Broadway (Martvn) —are being formed with the intention of seeking affiliation with the association. Whereas a few short seasons ago, when the association was in its infancy, teams entering the competition were mostly confined to Marton and its, immediate environs, the popularity of the game has spread further afield of late, and today the district extends from Hunterville in the north to Parewanui in the south. The only drawback likely to affect the progress of the game is lack of suitable halls. This peculiarity is not just limited to Marton, either.

Last season eight clubs, representling 20 teams- affiliated with the association, in the A and B grade competitions, but in view of additional teams this year and with the object of raising the standard of the A grade, there is a distinct possibility of a C grade being instituted. Some teams entered in the A grade last season will probably be relegated to B grade this •year, and the same applies to the B grade competition. The A grade this season will definitely comprise players of the top flight. Marton, Stanway, Parewanui. Tutaenui, Junction, Lutheran and St. Francis again intend entering teams in the various grades, the only doubtful starter being Ohakea. The annual general meeting of the association is to be held in Marton on Friday, April 8. and nominations of teams close with the secretary, Mr J. Ritchie, on Friday, March 25. A subcommittee comprising Messrs J Hunter (chairman), J. Ritchie, R. C. Ball. T. Dommett, A. Whybiirn and W. B. Gray was appointed to grade the teams, and compile a draw with the object of simplifying travelling, which last season proved somewhat of a burden for teams domiciled at the extreme ends of the association's area. Some of the grades might even be divided into sections, to cut down travelling. the winners of the sections to play off for the final. The draw will be submitted to the annual meeting of delegates for approval. MARTON BOWLERS SCORE NARROW WIN OVER TAIHAPE Marton bowlers scored a narrow win by a margin of one point over Taihape in the inter-club match played at Marton during the week-end. The weather conditions were perfect. The aggregate points were: Marton 159, Taihape 158. One Feilding rink played for the visitors. Morning and afternoon games were played with the following results, the visitors being mentioned first:— Morning: May, Bridson, Chapman, Ryan 14 lost to McDonald, Mitchell, Hamer, Morgan 16; Cooke, Brown, 1 Morris, Marsh 16 beat Cockburn, Petrie. Stratford, Denbow 13; McKay, Hadley, Williams, Saba 15 beat H. Clark, Mudgway, Hutton, Hewer 10; Buckley, Robbins. Polkinghorne, McCullough 16 beat Adams, B. Clark, Osborne. Thompson 14; Boswell, Fuller, Rodgers, Tricklebank (Feilding) 15 beat Whitehead, Scott, Williams, Bland 11. Afternoon: Cooke, Brown, Morris. Marsh 20 beat H. Clark, Mudgway, Hutton, Hewer 17; McKay, Hadley. Williams, Saba 19 drew with Adams, Bert Clark, Smart, Thompson 19; Buckley. Robbins, Polkinghorne, McCullough 14 lost to Whitehead, Scott. Williams, Bland 18; Fuller, Rodgers, Tricklebank, Boswell (Feilding- 16 lost to Hunt. Bending, Osborne, Morris 20; May, Bridson, Chapman, Ryan 13 lost to Cockburn, Petrie, Stratford, Denbow 21. TUTAENUI RAINFALL. Rain fell on six days at Tutaenui last month, totalling 2.51 inches, as against 1.12 inches registered on seven days, for the same period 12 months ago. For the two months of this year the total fall is 5.89 inches, recorded on 20 days, compared with 3.67 inches, registered in 15 days, last year. More than half the rain last month fell on February 16, when the measurement was 1.41 inches, according to records kept by Mr. W. B. Gray. Details of the other five days are: 4th, .06; 13th, .67; 20th, .06; 22nd, .02; 23rd, .29. ST. ANDREW’S MEN’S CLUB. Mrs. Grace Morton, headmistress of St. Stephen’s School, Marton, will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of St. Andrew's Men’s Club tomorrow evening. Her subject will be Czechoslozakia, and all menfolk are cordially- invited to be present. CARNIVAL ENDS TONIGHT. Tile Marton Fire Brigade's Queen Carnival, which has been running for the past six weeks, ends tonight with a gala evening in the Civic Theatre, when residents will be given a tinal opportunity of supporting their particular Queen. There will be fun and I games galore and zero hour is 9.30 I p.m. Then will follow the checking I up of money and as soon as this has I been completed the winner of the carnival will be announced. The coronaI lion ball is to be held in the Civic Theatre on Tuesday, March 22.