BADMINTON

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1057, 22 August 1930, Page 6

BADMINTON

NOTES ON AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY If the recently completed championships of the newly-formed Auckland Badminton Association are any criterion, then the future of the sport in Auckland is very rosy indeed. The large number of entries, and the way in which the events were carried out, speak for themselves. The players taking part in the tournament showed a high standard. It was especially pleasing to note the number of first-year players in their events, and all showed a high standard of play. The committee is to be congratulated on having tried the experiment of having a first-year singles event for both men and women. This was completely successful, and it is to be hoped that the committee keeps this up. Martin was undoubtedly Southon s superior in the final of the men’s singles. He surprised even his clubmates by his wonderful showing. Southon certainly was off colour, and some competent critics say that they have never seen him play so badly. SOUND TACTICS Martin showed himself as a. most deadly player of the ever-useful drop shot. Times without number he sent a deep lob to Southon’s back-hand corner. Th#n, when Southon sent back a half-hearted return, Martin would send across a shot which just crept over the net, and Southon would be baffled. Miss Newton is easily the best of the women players. She may not be able to move round the court so quickly as, say, Miss Ellett, but nevertheless she makes up for that by her splendid placements. And, possessing as she does some remarkable shots—to which must be added a natural cleverness—she is a most dangerous player to tackle. Tonks and Macfarlane showed that they are a class pair when, in the final of the men’s doubles, they easily beat Jacob and Southon. Both Tonks and Macfarlane smashed anywhere and everywhere, and they were smashes! Jacob was bombarded, but he came through well, and was much better than his partner, Southon. Miss P. Miller showed in the final of the women’s doubles that she is a brilliant performer at the net. Her quickness was remarkable, and she showed real brilliancy on several occasions. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane was an able partner, and the pair outclassed its opponents* Misses Newton and Frankham. The win of Ellett and Miss K. Waters over Southon and Miss Ellett in the final of the combined was one of the most popular of the evening. KEEN TUSSLE This was the only one of the senior championships which went to the three sets, and it provided a very fine game. Ellett would be better if he acquired a more decisive smash, as this is his weakest point. Miss Waters shewed her best form, and was resoonsible for many “kills” at the net. Miss Ellett had to do her own and half of Southon’s share of the work, and she gave a fine exhibition of net play. Southon played better in this game than in the men’s doubles, but he was nowhere near at his best. FIRST -YEAR PLAYERS Chalmers had a fine win over Hay in the final of the men’s singles. He was much too steady for Hay, who was inclined to hit wildly. Chalmers won, 15—9, 15 —9, and though Hay put up a good fight, he was not the class of his opponent. Miss Marion Macfarlane had an easy win in the women's first-year singles final. She has some good strokes, and she was too steady for Miss Eccles, who, however, put up a game fight. Weir and Haydon won the men’s doubles for first-year players rather easily from Bissett and Shale. The former pair’s combination was excellent, and so was their positional play. Probably the most improved woman player in the tournament, and the most stylish, was Miss Ruth Taylor. Her win with Miss Hooper in the final of the women’s doubles, first-year players, was thoroughly deserved. The game went to three sets, but Mrs. Cresswell and Miss Marion Macfarlane were well beaten. More should be heard of Miss Taylor. TERI MAKARINI.