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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 17 July 27, 1938

A Game for the Fit — First Class Table Tennis

A Game for the Fit

First Class Table Tennis.

In reviewing the recent Table Tennis Tournament in the Gym., "Salient" described one game as a "gruelling tussle. If that expression is permissible in the language of table tennis." That was written innocently and in good faith, for at the time "Salient" had no conception of the high plane to which the polite old parlour game had been raised by the champions. Now, having since watched the Hungarians, Barna and Bellak, in action, we are wiser.

The aust are authority, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, defines ping pong by striking a small celluloid ball over a net fixed across a table with a racquet of hard material in the shape or a fan."

Barna and Bellak provide a sharp contrast in styles. Bellak's is almost ugly. Left-handed, he has a devastating forehand drive, but it is not a beautiful stroke. He is, of course, interesting to watch, but if not behind Barna in effectiveness, he has not the ease of stroke production of his compatriot nor the elegant style of the ex-world's champion. A more graceful stroke than Barna's backhand flick would be hard to find in any game of bat and ball.

Both men show that fast correct footwork is essential. A player with a sound lawn tennis style and a natural aptitude for that game should do well at table tennis, for the requirements of the two games are very similar. Fred Perry graduated from world's ping pong champion to world's lawn tennis champion. Wilde and Hughes. Perry's team-mates when he last visited New Zealand, were equally at home with the smaller racquet.

Real table tennis—the type that Barna and Bellak play—should become very popular in New Zealand. In Wellington, its popularity as a competitive sport is rapidly increasing. The 'Varsity Club, as yet in its infancy, has some promising members, from among whom it should be possible to choose a team capable of doing well in one of the higher grades next season.

Barna regards Boniface, of Wellington, as New Zealand's best exponent. Gosling is little inferior, and if these two players could be persuaded to play some exhibition matches one evening in the Gym. the 'Varsity Club would assuredly benefit.