Loss Of Form

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 11

Loss Of Form

•pKE recent loss of form of x Canterbury's most promising junior table tennis player, K. Ward, has occasioned some dismay to the supporters and promoters of the sport in Canterbury. But it need not Ward has had an amazing rise to prominence; from C grade last year to the Canterbury team this year. However, tills has placed a great mental strain on a youth still only 16 years old, and with another year in junior ranks ahead of him. His continued competition against players who have had 20 years in the sport has forced him into the frame of mind where to win is everything. As he has been representing Canterbury in team events—it has not mattered how he has won as long as he has won. Consequently, hie game has not been able to develop. He has not been able to continue to improve his play; rather he has had to play the best he knows with his present strokes. This prevents him from relaxing sufficiently and his ball control is not what it was a month ago. Last week-end he lost to A. Kirk of Otago in the South Island final of the New Zealand Schweppes tournament when, earlier in the season, he had beaten Kirk, 21-12, 21-10, when Canterbury played the New Zealand junior boys coaching squad. Kirk is playing no better now than he did then but Ward seemed to have lost his confidence. He also had the greatest trouble in defeating G. Williams whom he beat, 21-10, 22-20, in the junior squad matches. Ward's lack of success recently will probably cost him his place in the Canterbury team to H. P. Holt, who played well in the senior contest against Otago- However, this is likely to be only a temporary phase as Ward has all the attributes of a top New Zealand player of the future.