Susan Grigg loses

Press, 27 January 1978, Page 20

Susan Grigg loses

PA Wellington Judith Clarke (Hawke’s Bay) chose to leave it to the final day of the New Zealand croquet championships before turning on a perfect performance. In the final of the women’s championship,

against Susan Grigg, of Christchurch, Clarke, the 1978 North Island women’s champion, started in scintillating fashion — she took in all 12 hoops and pegs without error. Playing off contact, Grigg could only make 6 before breaking down, when she missed a short shot. This was the only mistake she was allowed to make as Clarke wrapped up the title with a second perfect round, to end the match, 26-6, in a bare 45 minutes.

Errors by Joseph Hogan (H. 8. on the third and fourth back hoops spelt his downfall in the final of the open championship against Bob Jackson (Auckland). Twice Hogan baulked, leaving Jackson well placed and

the Aucklander was too experienced to pass the opportunity up. Jackson won in straight games, 26-9, 26-22. in a tight finish which saw Hogan gamely conceding a double cap when his mallet struck the ball twice, at a crucial stage in the match. Lester O’Brien (Manawatu) made full use of his 7} bisoue advantage to head off Paul Skinley (Canterbury), in the men's handicap final, 26-2. Skinley gave himself no help by missing the croquets needed to get off the mark.

Grigg made no mistake in the final of the women’s handicap, beating N. Gerhan (Australia), 26-1, and in the Hennan Plate she beat fellow Canterbury player, J. McNab, 26-1.