TEST CROQUET.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 29, 4 February 1928, Page 16

TEST CROQUET.

ENGLAND WINS EASILY. MATCHES AT WAXGAXUI. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WAXGAXUI. Friday. In croquet Xew Zealand lias still a long way to go before the British standard is readied. This was shown in the test contest played by four visiting English players against the elect of the North Island here to-day. In 12 panics the New Zealanders had not a solitary win, their opponents taking both the singles and doubles in straight matches. 11. Murray (Hamilton) was decidedly off his game in the first match against Sir Francis Wcniyss. failing to score a point, but in the second game he steadied down and, although his play was repeatedly broken up by splendid long shots by his opponent, he made 15. The contest Ix'tween Miss Steele and IT. Stratton (Hastings) gave promise of an interesting match, when the New Zealander made an early round, but his opponent soon took possession and. playing faultlessly, wen the game, 20—20. The second game was a walk-over for Miss Steele, who pegged out both balls before Stratton had made a point. Colonel du l're quickly accounted for R. Caughley (Wellington). Playing brilliantly, he took the first game, 20—0, and the second. 2li—2. After winning the lirst game, 20 —7, Miss Tletallaek \va= set a difficult proposition in the second by Archdcaco> Creed Meredith (Wanpanui), who required only three points against his opponent's 12. but Mi-s IJetallack, playing carefully, won. 20—24.

The test doubles mat eh between Colonel (hi Pre and Miss Steele and It. ( aughley and H. Penn was soon over, the former winning in two straight set-. In the first game the Knglish players won, 20—n. their opponents getting only three shots, and in the second game the Knglish players won. 2t>—2. 'In the other doubles match Sir Francis Weinysf* and Miss Retallack defeated the two Ilawke's Ray players. Stratum and Mrs. ( . \\ atkins, 2(I—IP. The New Zealanders led in the early stages. 1 n ,t Miss Retallack got in and won round in one turn. Sir I'iaiicis, getting a -hot from one corner of the green to the other, finished the game oft". The second game was taken by the English players, 20—12.