SURPRISE DEFEAT

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31881, 8 January 1969, Page 13

SURPRISE DEFEAT

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, ! The champion, J. Prince (Wellington), lost a “life*’ when section play in the national croquet championship began in Wellington yesterday. Prince was beaten by the consistent Kaitaia player, Mrs Molloy. In an exciting match, Mrs Molloy, an accurate shooter, came from behind to win, 26-22. Prince recovered from this set-back to score a good win over K. Woollett (Wanganui) and perform the triple peel in his easy win over Mrs F. Dorman (Auckland).

The defeat of Prince was only one of several upsets during the day. R. Clarke, a 16-year-old Gisborne schoolboy, had a triple peel against A. G. Ross, 11 times national champion, to win 26-11. Later, Clarke and Ross were beaten by the Aucklander, C. Wadsworth. Mrs J. Jarden i (Wellington), won all of her

matches yesterday and will meet Wadsworth today. Results: J. Prince (Naenae) 26, Mrs L. Buchanan (Christchurch) 0: C. Wadsworth (Auckland) 26. Mrs E. Hight (Thames Valley) 0; R. Clarke (Gisborne) 26, A. G. F. Ross (Hastings) 11; D. Curtis (Hawke’s Bay) 26. C. Paynter (Wellington) 10; Mrs G. Molloy (Northland) 26, Mrs F. Dorman (Auckland) 14; Mrs J. Jarden (Wellington) 26, Mrs M. Robertson (Christchurch) 6; Mrs Jarden 26, Mrs S. Taylor (Rotorua) 0.

Mrs Molloy 26, Prince 22; Ross 26 Mrs Hight 9; Wadsworth 26, Clarke 15: G. D. Rowling (Nelson) 26 Mrs G. King (Hawke’s Bay 20; K. Woollett (Wanganui) 26, Mrs G. Collings (Wellington) 15; Mrs Rawlinson (Methven) 26, L. Ford (Auckland) 14: Mrs C. Wadsworth (Auckland) 20, Mrs E. Hughes (Hawke’s Bay) 20; J. W. McNab (Christchurch) 26, Mrs F. A. Barrow (Christchurch) 6; Mrs K. Woollett (Wanganui) 26, Mrs H. Purdy (Auckland) 9. Mrs Hight 26. Mrs Taylor 3; Wadsworth 26, Ross 22; Rowling 26, Mrs Rawlinson 0; Curtis 26, McNab 19: Prince 26, Woollett 10: Mrs Buchanan 28, Mrs Dorman 21; Clarke 26 Mrs Robertson 21; Mrs Jarden 26, Mrs Hight 10: Ross 26, Mrs Taylor 2; Prince 26, Mrs Dorman 1.