Croquet SOUTH ISLAND TITLES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28479, 8 January 1958, Page 5

Croquet SOUTH ISLAND TITLES

Surprise Win

A surprise win was gained In the men’s championship by the United player, H. Morgan, at the South Island croquet championships. Playing excellent croquet, he beat the scratch competitor, J. Hewitson (New Brighton), in the first life of the championship. Morgan is comparatively new to senior play, and is an improving player. F. W. Gurnsey and H. R. Abbott (Fendalton) beat Mesdames W. H. Kirk and E. Todd (St. James), in the semi-final of the first life of the championship doubles. The match was a battle of tactics in which the Fendalton players gained the advantage to win through fine long shots. This match leaves the Fendalton pair, the only two-lifers left in the event. Results were:— Women’s Championship First Life.—First round: Mrs C. Ogier (United) beat Mrs E. Todd (St. James), 26-5. First Life.—Second round: Mrs H. A. Penn (Fendalton) beat Mrs M G._ Brewer (Auckland), 26-11; Mrs T. G. Dick (United) beat Mrs A. L. Bonar (United), 26-18. Second Life.—First round: Mrs W. H. Kirk beat Mrs S. H. Clothier, 26-1. Second Life.—Second round: Mrs A. J. Thompson (New Plymouth) beat Mrs C. Ogier (United), 26-2; Mrs H. Lattaway (St. James) beat Mrs J. W. Stockdale (United), 28-16. Men's Championship First Life.—First round: H. Morgan beat J. Hewitson, 26-14. . Championship Doubles First Life.—Semi-final: F. W. Gurnsey and H. R. Abbott beat Mesdames W. H. Kirk and E. Todd, 26-12. Second Life.—Quarter-final: Mesdames S. H. Clothier and M. O'Malley (United) beat Mesdames R. Stuart (St. James) and W. T. Slee (Westport), 26-24. Level Singles First Life. —First round: Mrs M. G. Brewer beat Mrs S. H. Clothier, 26-21. First Life.—Second round: Mrs R. Stuart beat Mrs H. R. Abbott (Fendalton), 26-23; Mrs E. O. Burgess (United) beat Mrs M. G. Brewer, 26-14. Second Life.—Second round: Mrs H. R. Abbott beat Mrs M. Hill (Linwood), 26-23; Mrs F. W. Gurnsey (Fendalton) beat Mrs R. Stuart (St. James), 26-14. Second Life.—Semi-final: Mrs F. W. Gurnsey beat Mrs H. R.- Abbott, 26-7. Handicap Doubles First Round.—Mrs S. F. Marshall and L. J. Mitchell (Fendalton) beat Mesdames J. Hewitson and J. J. Melhuish (New Brighton), 26-24; Mesdames J. G. Anderson (Dunedin) and M. Hill (Linwood) beat Mesdames H. Lattaway and D. Donaldson (St. James), 26-18. Handicap Singles First Round.—Mrs J. Read (St. James) (4) beat Mrs S. H. Clothier (3) 26-5: Mrs A. L. Bonar (J) beat Mrs R. Stuart. 26-20: Mrs C. Ogier (scr) beat Mrs M. Hill (3J), 26-11; L. J. Mitchell (3) beat Mrs M. O Malley (3), 26-18; Mrs A. J. Thompson (14) beat Mrs H. A. Penn (—L, 2620; H. R. Abbott (1) beat H. Morgan (21). 26-16. Second Round.—J. Hewitson (scri beat Mrs D. Donaldson (3), 26-2; F. W. Gurnsey (—J) beat Mrs J. Read (4) 26-13: W. Penman (7J) beat Mrs W. Ellis (5), 26-9.

Wanganui Raft Trip Ends

(New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, January 7. Mr Fred Cookson, of Auckland, finished his run of 144 miles by raft down the Wanganui river when he tied up at the Aramoho Park camping grounds at 1 p.m. yesterday. His arrival was missed by scores of persons who were keeping a watch out for him further downstream towards the city. Discussing his trip shortly afterwards, Mr Cookson said that to get away from the hustle and bustle of Auckland was “just heaven.” Mr Cookson said he never had any worries about the seaworthiness of his raft, which he built with bamboo and inflated inner truck tubes, at Taumarunui.