BADMINTON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 23

BADMINTON

A sensational first appearance in Wellington inter-club badminton was mad? by R. G. Pattinson. the New Zealand ranked tennis player, who has lately arrived in the city from Christchurch. Playing for Wimbledon 111 against Wimbledon I, Pattinson defeated Guy Knight, top man of the Wimbledon ladder, in straight sets, 15-11, 15-10. Earlier in the evening, he challenged J. W. Neale, former New Zealand champion, for fifth place on the Wimbledon ladder, and defeated him, 21-12. And in the doubles, Pattinson teamed with Neale in a new combination to run Knight and Eric Ridyard to three close, lively sets, full of good badminton.

Pattinson's success was most impressive. He revealed the most stubborn match-fighting qualities, great quickness and speed about the court, excellent recovery shots, and a soundlyplaced, if not devastating, smash. His singles play is rather better than his doubles .at the moment, though he has not yet had time to settle to a combination with any of the Wimbledon players.

Unlike many left-handers, he is not a type player. That is to say, his shots do not consist of a forehand of great brilliance and a backhand of great doubts. On the contrary, he plays sweeping, fluent shots on both hands.

regularly, although this entailed much travelling. When the shield was w6n by Wellington it stayed there such a long time that the rule was altered in 1921 to provide that the holders should travel to defend the trophy provided an adequate financial guarantee was given.

Wanganui were the first to take advantage of that rule, says an exchange, and as a result met Wellington on Cook's Gardens, and a great game was played, Wanganui leading until the closing stages. Wellington won by the odd goal in three.

If South Auckland decides to / visit Wanganui in quest of the shield it is expected the match will be played at an. early date. Should Wanganui retain the trophy matches with Taranaki, Manawatu, and Hawke's Bay will follow, and these games, whereyer played, will create great interest in Soccer circles.