Croquet player’s fifth triple of tournament

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33443, 26 January 1974, Page 48

Croquet player’s fifth triple of tournament

j f.V.Z. Press Association) TIMARU. In the most exciting game of the South Island croquet tournament at Timaru, R. Murfitt, of Christchurch, yesterday narrowly defeated K. Woolleft, of Ohakune, in a semi-final of the open championship second life. Both players showed skill and tactical knowledge, and the result was in doubt until the last few minutes.

Late on Thursday, Murfitt

scored his fifth triple peel, bringing the total number of triples for the tournament to six.

Mrs L. G. Middlemiss (Pukekohe) was in form yesterday. In one turn, Mrs Middlemiss scored 14 hoops, and it was only bad luck at the last that prevented her from making a double peel. Results:—

Open championship.—First life semi-final: J. McNab (Christchurch) beat Mrs W. Walker (Timaru), 26-18. Second life third round; R. Murfitt (Christchurch) beat Mrs R. Richardson (Christchurch). 26-3; K. Woollett (Ohakune) beat Mrs A. Boyd (Ashburton), 26-17; Mrs L. G. Middlemiss (Pukekohe) beat Mrs H. Welsh (Fairlie), 26-17. Second life semi-final: Murfitt beat Woollett. 26-24.

Women’s championship.— Second life, second round: Mrs H. Welsh beat Mrs A. Boyd, 26-22. Third round: Mrs L. G. Middlemiss beat Mrs K. Woollett, 26-12. First life, third round: Mrs R. Foster (Christchurch) beat Mrs A. Riley (Timaru). 26-8. First life final: Mrs W. Walker beat Mrs! R. Foster, 26-17. ; Men’s championship.—First life, third round: D. Bulloch (Dunedin) beat M. Porter (Oamaru), 26-4. Second life, second round: R. Murfitt beat K. Woollett, 26-1; M. Porter beat W. Bulloch (Dun- < edin). 26-9. Third round: M. Porter beat G. Shaw (Dunedin), 26-9. Handicap singles. — Second i round: G. Shaw beat M. Porter. 1 26-4.