PING-PONG TOURNAMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 483, 24 July 1902, Page 2

PING-PONG TOURNAMENT

LAST NIGHT'S f'LAV. iLL " I’m "i The Handicap Singles’ competition was got well under way lust evening, and some exciting contests were witnessed. There was a large attendance, and the spectators evinced keen interest in the play. As one gentleman aptly remarked, “it was amusing to see the \ictorious come amongst their friends to be congratulated, wuile those who lost drowned their sorrow in u cup oi hot codec and comforted themselves with a bun."

In the ladies’ division, in the first | round. Mrs Kane set the ball rolling | against Miss \V. Wallace, and, quickly j catching up the handicap, defeated her | opponent by til to 1-1, amidst applause. Miss N. Moriee proved too good a general | for Miss Terry, who lost by two points. | Misses Skeet and Skillicorn had a good i tight, the former proving victorious by four points. Miss J. Adair was out of form, and this accounted for her defeat by Miss Nolan, by 'll to 17, An exciting game between Misses Heaney and F. L'avics resulted in a victory for the former by a single point, Miss X. Davies was tive points too good for Miss Boylan, who showed greatly improved torm. Miss Seymour proved too strong an opponent for Miss Macdonald. Miss Seymour’s expression as she drives a ball is not tho least interesting part of her play. Miss Bright heat Miss Cole by 21 points to 11, and Miss MeCredie, playing a tactful game, defeated Miss E. Wallace by the margin of 21 to 13. Miss C. Boylan was too good for Miss F. Adams. The match between Mrs King and Miss E. Skillicorn was of an aerial description, the former proving victoiious. Bliss F. Sampson made u good stand aguist Miss MeCredie, but the fast strokes of the latter won the day. Miss Macdonald was easily beaten by Miss Sampson. Miss C. Reynolds’ hard hitting gave her the victory over Miss Wall. Miss Cook, who is of a recherche order, was two points too good for -Miss R. Reynolds. Miss Coleman’s defensive tactics proved too strong for Miss O'Moara. Mrs 11. Sandlant plays a sweet game of ping-pong,and sho prevailed over Miss 11. Macfarlanc by 21 to IS. There was one point between Miss Thomson and Miss I. DeLautour in the handicaps, and that was the difference in the game, Miss DeLautour winning. Miss L. Moriee and Miss B. Moricc hud practised too assiduously for their opponents. Mrs Barlow won her first game by five points. Miss W. Adair really was nervous, and that is why she lost to Miss J. Rosie. Several competitors won their games in the first round by default. Interest increased ns the second round was commenced, and here again Mrs Kano showed her superiority over such an expert player as Miss Moriee, tho score being 21 to IS. Miss Nolan had no trouble in boating Miss Skeet, tho card reading 21 to 9. Miss ITeany is not so good at ping-pong as she is at hockey, and that accounts for hor being beaten by Miss N. Davies by 21 to 8. The game of tho evening in the ladies’ competition, was that between Misses Seymour and Somervell, the former being a hot favorite. The glorious uncertainty of ping-pong was again exemplified, and when tho numbers went up Miss Seymour was a point short. Both young ladies piayed with dash and vigor, and tiie issue remained in doubt until the last stroke, when Miss Seymour served beyond tho limit. The winner was heartily applauded, and tho loser was sincerely condolled with. Miss Bright made the pace too strong for Miss MeCredie, whilst Miss C. Boylan was too fast for Miss E. Skillicorn. Miss F. MeCredie was one

point to the good of Miss F. Sampson, after a keen game. Miss Cook was at her

best when she met Bliss C. Reynolds, tho score being 21 to 10. Blisses Coleman, F. Witty, Rosie, and Blrs 3V. Sandlant easily came through tho second round, In tho tho third round Blisses Kano and Nolan were even on the last head, and a bad stroke by Bliss Nolan gavo her opponent the victory. Bliss Somervell was defeated by Miss Is. Davis by 21 to 9. Bliss Bright improves with practice, and proved too good for Bliss C. Boylan. Bliss Cook was too patient a player for Bliss BlcCredic, who lost her game by 21 to 10. Several games in this round are not yet completed. The Gentlomen's Singles were of an entertaining character, and at times a good deal of rough play was indulged in, the furniture being much knocked about. ,T. Clarke proved too noisy s player for C. B. DeLautour, whose snail-like deliveries were his weak point, E. F. Iveson was all at sea when he met the Wellington College champion, Blorieo, who cut, screwed, and turned in a marvellous man-

ncr. G. Nolan had a very green opponent in It. Dobson, who only scored 4 points. W. G. Brosnahan hit too hard for It. DeLautour. 11. Sandlant, with one hand

behind his back, beat H. O’Meara by 21 to 12. D. Morice’s shrewd and cautious style was of no avail when he mot F. Sharp, whose sharp-shooting fairly paralised his

opponent. A. W. Adair's victory over A. W. Wheeler was unexpected by his friends. C. Lyttleton attributed his

success over 11. E. Dodd to the kindly interest which the ladies took in the game. B. Bright defeated E. G. Matthews by 21 to 7, and J. Peach put down A. D. Sherriff. G. Somervell was an easy prey for W. Sandlam. C. M. Sargisson was too strong for J. Pirie. The many keen judges who have picked H. E. Walsh as the winner of the Singles, were satisfied with his play against F. Eure, and the dogged determination of the former won the day. A largo number of matches went by default in the first round. In the second round, G. Moriee made small potatoes of J. Clark, the game ending 21 to 7, and W. L. Coleman did pretty much the same with W. Brosnahan. H. Sandlant took a very few minutes to dispose of H. O'Meara. A. Webb plays a good garden game, but made a poor stand against I’. Sharp, the returned contingenter, whose shipboard practice stood him in good stead. Dr Craig is a charitable player, and allowed Palairet to beat him by four points. J. 11. Butler is better at arithmetical problems than ping-pong, and was beaten by Witty by 21 to o. A. W. Adair was defeated by his stable-mate, J. Wallace, by 21 to 16. Stanley Coleman, after beating M. Craig by 21 to 14, badly broke down when he met Lyttelton. Stanley should return to bowls. B. Bright beat G. Lysnar by 21 to 7, and J. Peach fairly romped over Cuthbert, my regard for the latter preventing the publication of the scores. W. Sandlant came smilingly through the second round, as also did M. Cox, who up to this stage had not made a bad stroke. A. S. Seymour’s artistic style was altogether too much for J. Somervell. Walsh was still going strong when he met A. M. Coleman, who could not get within six points of the Stratford player. Barlow defeated Evans after a good game by 21 to 12.

Supper was over when the third round came on, and the spectators anticipated some excitin',' play. Morico, who was (picked by 11 Puff" at the very beginning as the most likely man to win the singles, was soon joined by L. Nolan, and the pair to work without delay. The college student exc:” fld every department of the »ame. and Nolan was badly deteated by 21 points to 10. H. Sandlant could not »et over the cunning drives that Coleman occasionally put jn, anu the former came off victorious by 21 to 0. I‘alairet was dead beat by the time be reached the third round, and o points were all that he could secure against Sharp, who played a fine, clashing innnmgs, ,J. Wallace was inclined to leave bow.s for ping-pong, but after the doing be received i at the hands of Gordon Witty he is lively to return to the green. Lyttleton gave a masterly display against Bright, and encouraged by the smiles ot the lady barrackers he only allowed his opponent to score three points. Seymour won his game against M. Ccx, by 21 to 12. After allowing Barlow to catch up a handicap of seven, Walsh got tc work, and, scoring point for point with his opponent, beat him on the post by a single point. The quality of the play improved considerably in "the fourth round. There were fewer “ skyers, and less time was wasted in hunting for the ovai. Moriee and W\ Coleman were well matched, but the former was ever on the alert, and at the finish had four points to the good. Witty made a poor display against Sharp, as also did Peach against Lyttleton. Seymour’s artistic strokes were wasted on Walsh, who stonewalled like a thorough

tradesman, aud, drawing every tooth of his oppouent, won comfortably by 21 to

In tho fifth round the number was reduced to four. Biorice meeting Sharp and Lyttelton playing Walshe. The former game was well worth watching, the play being really brilliant. There were longsustained rallies, and the interest oi the onlookers was held throughout. Sharp made several uuiucky returns in the middle of the game, which allowed Biorice to get a lead, and this he held to the close. Walshe showed signs of tiring in the semifinal, and Lyttelton making the most of cverv opportunity secured a victory by 21 to 13.

The final of the gentlemen's singles between Lyttelton and Bloriee will he played on Friday evening, when the ladies’ singles aud the district championship will also come up for decision.

The tournament will not he held this evening, on account of it being Club night at the rink.