Sub-Associations' Table Tennis

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 5

Sub-Associations' Table Tennis

A HIGH standard of table tennis will be seen again this evening when the 1961 Canterbury sub-association’s tournament is held at the Selwyn Street Hall. Table Tennis players from all country districts will be competing, and these will include several with Canterbury representative experience. E. G. Drewitt of Mid-Can-terbury has been the top male player for many seasons, and he won the men’s singles last season, beating North Canterbury’s B. G. Kendall in the final. Drewitt has a very steady type of game and, had he been playing in the two competitions, would have been with the top few in the province. He played several games for Canterbury in 1958. Kendall has transferred to Dunedin, and Drewitt’s main

opposition this evening may come from the steady Malvern players. Malvern’s top men in recent seasons have been S. A. Swanson. J. H. Rich and C. Watson. S. Bennett from Mid-Canterbury, who-took the men’s doubles with Drewitt last season, is one of the promising younger players. In the women’s events will be seen at least four Canterbury representative players. Last season in the filial of the women’s singles Miss Y. Hart beat Mrs T. Swanson in a close match, the score being 21-12, 19-21, 21-18. These players are both from Malvern. Improvement Miss Hart went from strength to strength last season, and played very well for Canterbury in the annual match with Otago. She beat several of the South Island's best players in winning the West Coast title, and this season she has already defeated Mrs J. Shadbolt, South Island champion and ninthranked in the Dominion. Miss Hart’s steady game should progress further this season. Mrs Swanson played for Canterbury against the West Coast last season, and she is another steady player. Miss B. Taylor of Mid-Canterbury, country champion and Canterbury representative for many seasons, did not play in last season’s contest, but may be repesenting her subassociation again this evening. If she is. her match with Miss Hart should be full of interest

As usual, the country juniors will be of a high quality, particularly tn the girls’ section. Miss J. Rich (Malvern). South Island under-16 champion and Chnterbury under-18 champion, should be able to retain her junior title this evening. Miss P. Jordon (Springs) is another who shows great promise. From tins tournament .will be chosen the Country team to play Town on May 27. This will be clayed at a country centre. With this fixture held early in the season, the Canterbury representative selectors have the chance of seeing the best country players in action, and also of testing those who have shown improvement in the town interclub competitions.