PING-PONG TOURNAMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 485, 26 July 1902, Page 2

PING-PONG TOURNAMENT

LAST EVENING’S PLAY, i Bv “ Prn.") For the fourth night, the piug-pougers entered into their tournament with unabated zest. Indeed, at the outset last evening, there appeared upon the scene a poet, who is hereby warned no: to appear again on this, the concluding evening, for his style of addressing the fascinating young ladies was thus : Oh, say, do you,play ping-pong ’■ What’s ping-pong Pshaw, go ’long! Ah me, see !

It s the latest game that's captured fame ; Tho freshest fad that may be had ; And everybody’s got it mad. From Whinray’s timbered mountains To Wainui’s papa reef, The way they’re playing ping-pong Surpasses all belief.

It came from China, so it appears,

Where pigtails have ping-ponged For a thousand years, And is to-day tho only game that is fit to play. Gee, whiz 1 If you don’t know what ping-pong is You’d better learn, if you want to earn your title clear To a place in the double-set so dear. Tho poet received numerous pressing invitations to leave for the supper room, and he was still going strong in that quarter when Mr Hill turned out the lights. For three hours about three hundred spectators interestedly watched the players pinging their little racquets, and ponging tho balls around, and a very happy time was spent. Attention was first riveted on the final of the gentlemen's singles be-

tween Lyttelton and Moriee, and it was in very truth an interesting exhibition. Tho Wellington Collegiate looked so serious, and tho local representative was so gay, that it was apparent to the spectators that both were in deadly earnest. “He that laughs last, laughs best,” is a well-known proverb, and Moriee did all the smiling towards the close, the score being ill to 18. Equally interesting were the concluding games in the Ladies’ Handicap Singles. Mrs Kane and Miss N. Davies wore the first to measure swords, and the confidence which “Tuff” placed in tho young Kaiti player on the opening evening of the tournament was not misplaced, for she completely outwitted her opponent, and won a clover game by 21 to 5. Miss Cook, who was matched against Miss Bright, was allowed the privilege of picking up most balls off the floor, whilst Mrs W. Sandlant received tho congratulations of her friends for defeating Miss Witty. Mrs Barlow beat Miss Rosie by a single point, after a stubbornly-contested game. In tho semifinals Miss N. Davies was too fast for Miss Bright, and Mrs Suudlant’s driving tactics .completely nonplussed Mrs Barlow. The final was a trifle disappointing, Mrs Sandlant making a poor stand against tho aggressive tactics of Miss N. Davies. The latter played most consistently throughout, and well deserved her victory. The junior boys’ competition provided some exciting contests. After teaching I’. .Adair a useful lesson, J. Peach bumped against G. Moriee, and needless to say he fell, but only by a single point. A. East ably championed tho West End, and completely routed Perry. E. Bloomfield has greater respect for Stanley Coleman sinco the latter heat him at ping pong. Mcllroy’s fancy strokes were too much for S. Perry. In the third round Moriee brushed East aside by 21 to 9, and M. Doyle felt proud of himself when he boat such a champion as Beddingfiold by 21 to 8. S. Coleman’s driving tactics won tho game against G. Bourke. T. Bloomfield mado the pace too warm for Mellroy, but was quite outclassed when he mot Stanley Coleman. The latter has to play either Doyle or Moriee in the final, and Moriee should win easily. The junior girls’ competition was practically a walk-over for Miss N. Davies, who defeated her sister by 21 to 5. The Gontlemen’s District Championship, 51 up, attracted a host of lady spectators, and was partly played. J. Peach showed M. Craig no mercy, tho score reading 51 to 13. H. E. Dods thought discretion tho better part of valor, so ho gavo 11. ’Sandlant a bye. A, T. Coleman and F. Palairet showed great regard for one another, and wore never more than two or three points apart, tho gamo ending in favor of Coleman by 51 to 50. H. A. Barton attributed his success over W. Sandlant to the great interest the fair sex took in the match. H. Humphreys was too good for A. G. Nolan, There wero a hundred points scored in tho match between E. 11. O'Meara and H. Miller before the latter was declared victorious. Hill travelled further in his game with Morico than any other player in the room. Ho made a determined stand against tho Wellington champion, and was deservedly complimented upon his play. Albert Adair intends to go in for table bowls, as he was beaten by H. Kane at piug-pong by 51 to 38. A. Webb’s poetical style was lost on F. Eure. A. S, Seymour’s display against B. Bright, was most disappointing to his iriends. Lyttelton’s smiles were thrown away on Sharp, who had nine points to tho good ou the last head. I l '. Euro is a “ dark horse ” for the championship, and the manner in which he polished off J. Somervell caused him to be installed first favorite. In tho ladies’ district championship the play was fast and exciting. Mrs King was no match ior Miss Heany, who gave her opponent plenty of fielding. Miss F. Adams is much bettor at tennis than at ping-pong, and consideration for the young lady’s feelings prevents “ Puff ” publishing the score which she made against Miss N. Davies, who played with great da3h and vigor, her placing exciting the admiration of the spectators. Miss Nolan was six points in advance of Miss Bright. Miss W. Adair had reason to bo proud of her victory over Miss I. DeLautour, as tho latter playod a sterling gamo throughout. Miss I' 1 . Davies defeated Miss Coleman by 51 to 49. Miss N. Moriee plays an earnest game, has a keen eye, and loses no opportunities. She beat Miss C. Reynolds by 51 to 39. Mr R. Reynolds trumphed over Miss DeLautour by 51 to 43. Miss DeLautour has a graceful and artistic style, but lacks dash in her play. Mrs Sandlant’s vietory over Miss Heany was duo to the former’s brilliant and accurate driving. Miss F. Davies had an easy win over Miss W. Adair, and Mrs Barlow proved too last for Miss W. Wallace. “ Puffs ” fancy for the Ladies’ District Championship is Miss .Seymour or Mrs Sandlant. The concluding matches will be played this evening.