Croquet G. Rowling In Final Of South Island Title

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30338, 14 January 1964, Page 13

Croquet G. Rowling In Final Of South Island Title

The weather was unfavourable when play in the South Island croquet tournament resumed yesterday morning, but the afternoon was fine and sunny. Players in the morning, in rainwear, battled against the wind and rain at the United club’s lawns. The championship events are progressing favourably. The same players are now required in open, women’s and men’s championships. Mrs Jarden and G. Rowling won the final of the second life in the championship doubles, defeating the Fendalton pair, R. Abbott and L. Mitchell. Rowling at one stage assembled a break from a difficult position, all four balls being wide on the line. Mrs Jarden and Rowling now play A. E. Saabfeld and M-s W. L. Martin, the winners of the first life, in the final of the event

Rowling, holder of the open championship title, entered the final yesterday by defeating Mrs L. Buchanan in the semi-final. Rowling, in the first game, got the innings when Mrs Buchanan had made a few points. He made the initial break to the four-back. In his next turn he made a splendid break of 12, finishing the game next turn. In the second game, Mrs Buchanan hit in some excellent long roquets, but just failed to get a break running. Rowling got in, and took one clip to four-back. Mrs Buchanan missed a shot,

and Rowling made from hoop three to the peg, peeling his partner ball through three back in the course of the break. Mrs Buchanan missed the “lift” shot, and Rowling, playing some very accurate strokes finished the game. Mrs Todd and Mrs Ellis had a very close game in the women’s championship. Mrs Ellis, left with one ball, had several long shots to hit the peg, but failed, Mrs Todd emerging the victor by one point. Results:—

Open Championship (best of three games).—Semi-final: G. Rowling (Nelson) beat Mrs L. Buchanan, 26-7, 26-5. Women’s Championship.— First life quarter-final: Mrs E. Todd beat Mrs W. Ellis, 26-35. Men's Championship.—First life semi-final: A. E. Saalfeld (N.S.W.) beat F. W. Gurasey. 26-12. Championship Doubles.— Second life, final: Mrs B. A. Jarden (Lower Hutt) and G. Rowling (Nelson) beat H. R. Abbott and L. J. Mitchell, 26-12. Level Singles.—Second life, quarter-final: Mrs J. Craddock beat J. McNab, 26-19. Handicap Singles.—Second round: Mrs B. A. Jardeu (Lower Hutt) (minus 21) beat L J. Mitchell (1). 26-9. Third round: Mrs L. Peters (4) beat Mrs J. Craddock (41), 26-25. Quarterfinal: H. Rogers (3) beat Mrs W Salton (Oamaru) (11). 26-23; H. R. Abbott (1) beat T. A. Searell (1), 26-7. Handicap Doubles. First round: Mesdames B. A. Jarden (minus 21) and H. Bleasdale (71) beat Mesdames W. Ellis (scr) and R. Foster (9), 26-11. Quarter-finals: T. A. Searell (1) and H. Rogers (3) boat Mesdames J. McCracken (scr) and F. Redman (41). 26-18: Mrs J. McNab (4) and J. McNab (31) beat Miss E. Innes (2}) and Mrs L. Peters (4), 26-9.