Table Tennis EAGLES WIN AGAIN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 17

Table Tennis EAGLES WIN AGAIN

Third Round Results

Eagles retained their lead in the Canterbury Table Tennis Association's A grade competition when they beat University II by nine matches to three in a third round contest last evening. Selwyn beat University I 11-1 in another contest, and the third, between the two Wallabies teams, was unfinished at a late hour. J. Armstrong was again in commanding form for Eagles, but he was fully extended by H. P. Holt. Holt led 20-19 in the ■ first game, to lose it 23-21, and lost the second at 21-17. This is a feat all to rare in Canterbury table tennis, and to hold a game point against Armstrong has been accomplished by only a handful of local players in recent seasons. Holt again showed his ability to produce a really fast first drive, catching Armstrong by surprise. This is virtually the only way to beat the very steady Armstrong, but hitting shots of that type calls for greet ability and sound judgment. Holt also played a patient game when the occasion demanded, and this was a fine showing by a very promising young player. G. M. Leech won two singles for University 11. and Mrs J. Shadbolt continued her good form to win two singles for Eagles. Mrs Shadbolt's record in inter-club matches this season has been much better than usual.

Selwyn had an easy victory over University I, but the matches were not all onesided. The nationally-ranked V. N. Brightwell was taken to three games in each of his matches. S. J Atvars jumped away to leads of 11-1 and 19-6 in his first game with Brightwell, but could not sustain the pressure. D. D. M. Stewart came closest to beating Brightwell, recovering well from 1-9 down in the third game. A predominance of defensive play in the contest between the two Wallabies teams held back the completion of that match. K J. Cassidy scored three singles wins for Wallabies I but Wallabies II led 5-4 with nine matches completed. Results were:— EAGLES V. UNIVERSITY II Singles.—J. Armstrong beat G. M. Leech. 21-12, 21-4; beat G. W. Makinson. 21-8. 21-4; beat H. P. Holt, 23-21, 21-17; D. V. Fisher lost to Leech. 21-14, 1421, 17-21; lost to Makinson, 1821. 19-21; beat Holt. 22-20 , 21-13; Mrs J. Shadbolt lost to Leech. 14-21. 17-21; beat Makinson. 2321. 23-21; beat Holt. 23-21. 21-13 Doubles. Armstrong and Fisher beat Holt and Leech. 21-18, 21-18; Armstrong and Mrs Shadbolt beat Holt and Makinson, 21-23, 21-15, 21-18; Fisher and Mrs Shadbolt beat Leech and Makinson. 22-20, 21-19. Eagles won by 9 matches to 3. SELWYN v. UNIVERSITY I Singles.—V. N. Brightwell beat J. A. Dowie. 21-1, 20-22. 21-6; beat D. D. M Stewart. 14-21. 21-12. 21-18; beat J. Atvars, 13-21. 21-15, 21-8; T. R. D. Flint beat Dowie. 21-6, 21-6: beat Stewart. 21-14, 21-15: beat Atvars. 21-12, 21-18; R. B. McCallum beat Dowie. 21-17, 17-21. 21-15; lost to Stewart. 14-21. 17-21; beat Atvars. 22-20. 21-18 Doubles Brightwell and Flint beat Dowie and Atvars. 21-14. 21-4; Brightwell and McCallum beat Dowie and Stewart. 21-14. 24-22; Flint and McCallum beat Atvars and Stewart. 21-17, 21-15. Selwyn won by 11 matches to 1.