Sportsman’s Notebook CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIPS TO START TODAY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29722, 16 January 1962, Page 8

Sportsman’s Notebook CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIPS TO START TODAY

The New Zealand croquet championship meeting in Christchurch will be officially opened at the United club’s lawns at 9.30 a.m. today. Many entries have been received from all parts of New Zealand, and it is expected that the greens will be in excellent order for the start of play. The greens of the United and Elmwood clubs will be used today for the first day of the doubles, and later the Fendalton and St Martirs green will also be used.

Defending their national titles will be Mrs H. Purdy (Auckland), the New Zealand open champion; Mrs B. A. Jarden (Lower Hutt), the New Zealand women’s champion; and Mrs C. Watkins (Hastings), the New Zealand doubles title-holder with J Tucker, of Dannevirke. Mrs Watkins will play with A. G F. Ross, of Hastings, as Tucker has had to withdraw because of business reasons. Ross has held the New Zealand open championship 11 times, the men’s championship six times, and the doubles title seven times. ¥ * ¥

Council Meeting

The Council of the New Zealand Croquet Association has received a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Gotz) saying that no grant can be made towards the entertainment of visiting Australian and English croquet players in January, 1963. Thij caused some discussion at the annual meeting of the New Zealand association recently. It was felt that the Government’s decision was disappointing, especially as grants have recently been made to other sporting bodies. Officers elected at the meeting were: President. Mrs A. G. Rawlinson (Methven); vice-presidents, Mesdames J. J. Smyth (Auckland), J. Church (Hamilton), B. P. Aldridge (Stratford). G. R. Peake (Dunedin), and N. Rose (Tmaru); New Zealand referee, Mr A. D. Heenan (Wellington); New Zealand handicapper, Mr W. H. Kirk (Christdwrch); publicity officer, Mrs W. H. Kirk (Christchurch); honorary secretary and treasurer, Mrs H. C. Wills (Hawera); selection comm.ttee, Mrs A. G. Rawlinson, Messrs W H Kirk. A. D. Heenan; editor and manager of the New Zealand Croquet Council gazette, Mr E. Hoare (Christchurch).

A long agenda ineluded

detailed arrangements for the forthcoming Macßobertson international test matches. ¥ ¥ ¥

Tennis Cup

Although the national junior lawn tennis championships have yet to be played, Canterbury is assured of winning the Anthony Wilding Memorial Cup for the first time since 1928. Points are awarded for title wins as follows: Men’s and women's singles, three each: men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, two each; boys’ and girls’ singles, one each With wins in the men’s and women’s singles and a half share of the men's doubles. Canterbury is in an unbeatable position with seven points. Next comes Auckland with three points, and then Waikato with two. ¥ ¥ ¥

Moore To Fight

The veteran American light heavy-weight boxer, Archie Moore, still fighting at 48 years of age, has agreed to meet Alajandro Lavorante. the Argentine heavyweight. in a 10-round bout at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in March. ¥ ¥ ¥

Respect For Snell

The American runners who will tour New Zealand in the sponsored Agfa tour hold the Olvmpic gold medatiet, P. G. Snell, in high regard. This was the impression conveyed by Mr W. Haylett, manager of the team, when it arrived in Auckland on Sunday. Mr Haylett could not say which of the three touring half-milers would be the most successful, as all were from different parts of America and all had been training separately during the winter. ¥ ¥ ¥

Tulloh Determined

The English distance runner, M. Tulloh. who claimed that the British athletes did not have a fair chance at the Rome Olympic Games because they did not have enough time to become acclimatised to the heat, is keen to avenge his defeat in the 5900 metres at Rome by M. Halberg Tulloh has had olenty of training over the last six months, and has been running 50 miles a week, in--1 eluding soeed and endurance training.