CROQUET.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19198, 3 January 1928, Page 5

CROQUET.

CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT. THE FINAL GAMES. The Christmas Croquet Tournament, which occupied the lawns of the United Club at Hagley Park all last week, concluded on Saturday evening. Throughout the tournament the play was of a good type, and very few really poor exhibitions of the game were given. Keen interest was displayed by every contestant, and much of the credit for the' successful running of the tournament is due to Mr S. McCullough, tournament manager, and Mrs G. Cooper, assistant manageress.. The tournament was open to all associations through--: out New Zealand, and was played under the auspices of the Canterbury Association.

Playing against the New Zealand champion, A< G. F. Ross, in the Open Canterbury Championship, Mrs E. A. Smith won the toss and led off with the blue and the black. She carried the blue clip to the fourth hoop before. Boss was able to hit' in, -and finished with two breaks. In the succeeding game the champion made one break of eleven hoops, Mrs Smith hit in, and gave a fine exhibition, taking her clips to the sixth loop, and number two back before Kosh hit in and finished. Boss's game was a good one, and he retained the Canterbury championship easily. The final of the handicap doubles was very evenly contested, ; all the players cloing excellent work. Eventually Mrs Gilchrist pegged out Childs's yellow ball. Mrs Binaldi, however, hit in immediately, and ran her last hoop in splendid style, making the finish.

Steady, cautious play put Mrs Smith early in the lead against Mrs Stallard in the semi-final of the second draw of the.Ladies' Championship. Mrs Stallard's game was a forceful one, and she brought off some good long shots. At times she was inclined to over-run the hoop however, and this spoiled her chances of winning. Mrs Smith secured the championship. Mrs Smith played a sound game throughout in the final of the second draw, calculating each shot accurately. Mrs Johnson failed to get a start.

LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP. First Draw. Final: Mrs B. A. Smith 26 beat Mrs A. M. G. Hadfield 7. Second Draw. Semi-final: Mrs E. A. Smith 26 beat Mrs Stallard 20. Final: Mrs E. A. Smith 26 beat Mrs E. A. Johnson 6. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. Final: A. G. F. Ross 2 beat Mrs E. A. Smith 0. JUNIOR EVENTS. Doubles Handicap. Final: Mrs Rinaldi and Mrs Childs (S and 6) 26 beat Mrs Thornton and Mrs Gilchrist (7* and 7}) 23. ENGLAND V. N'.S.W. (BI CASI.I-PSBSB ASSOCUnOK-COFTRIGHT.) (AUSTKALWIT A>H> *.Z. CABt,! ASSOCIATION.) SYDNEY, December 30. la the second day's play* **« c . r °" quet testß. England v, New South Wale»,

in the singles, Lady Wemyss (England) beat Mrs Tayles 26-24. Miss Steele (England) beat Mrs Moore 26-6, 26-15. Colonel Dupra (England) beat Tayles