BADMINTON TOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1939, Page 6

BADMINTON TOUR

MR & MRS P. HAWKSWORTH RETURN. MANY AUSTRALIAN CENTRES VISITED. "It was a marvellous trip but all the same it’s nice to be back in New Zealand again,” stated Mr Phil Hawksworth. who with Mrs Hawksworth, was a member of the New Zealand badminton team which visited Australia to play for the Whyte Trophy. Mr and Mrs Hawksworth returned by the Awatea yesterday and arrived back in Masterton last night. Accompanied by five supporters and the manager, the Rev H. W. Austin, the team of eight players arrived at Sydney by the Awatea on Monday, August 24. After playing matches in Tasmania. the party left Launceston by a'huge Douglas 25-passenger air liner for Melbourne, the journey of 292 miles being covered in under two hours. On arrival in Melbourne on the Tuesday, the team played Victoria and lost by three rubbers to four, the match being uncompleted.. Hawkcsworth played the Australian singles champion, McCabe, whom he defeated 15/1, 15/9. The team then split up, some members going on a tour of Victoria country towns, and the remainder proceeding to Adelaide, which was regarded as the prettiest place visited on the tour. On the Thursday the team played Adelaide and won 7/1. A short film was made of the New Zealand team by Fox Films. On the following Tuesday night the Test match was played, resulting in three rubbers all, with New Zealand two sets ahead. On the Wednesday Australia won by seven rubbers to five. The Whyte Trophy was presented to the captain of the Australian team by Mr Dart, of Melbourne. Mr Dart was one of the founders of badminton in Auckland. Mr Hawksworth unfortunately was not available for the Test, being in hospital, and somewhat naturally the outcome of the match was affected. The team proceeded to Newcastle and a match was played, a team consisting of Miss Betty Payton (Masterton), H. W. Austin, G. Pearce and Miss IVI. Kerr carrying all before it. The standard of play in the main centres was low, but in the provincial towns it was very high. In Australia a form of barracking was often in evidence, and was most disconcerting to those not used to it. On the return voyage a presentation was made by the party to Mr Austin for the splendid way in which he had carried out his duties. The earlier part of the tour was recently reported in the “Times Age.”