CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 6

CROQUET

dominion championship TOURNAMENT OPENED IN PERFECT WEATHER Dominion Special. Palmerston North, January 21. Play was commenced to-day in the New Zealand championship croquet tournament, and with the record number of entries a most successful fixture is likely Perfect weather conditions prevailed for the opening day, nml the green at tlie Manawatu, and Northern Clubs’ grounds were in perfect order, but at Takaro rather rough. The gratifying number of entries and tlie fact that the standard of competition compared favourably with fixtures of former years was tlie subject of comment by Tlie president of tlie Dominion Croquet Association, Mr. It. Caughley AVellington) m the course of an openin" address. He stated that the players had a verv capable tournament manager in AH's. j. D. Morrison, of New Plymouth, mid asked that they give her their assistance and co-operation through the duration of the fixture. The tournament officials, he added, were indebted to the Manawatu. Northern and Takaro Clubs for placing ,tb. elr greens at the disposal of the association on this occasion. In extending a welcome to visiting competitors, the president of the Manawatu Club (Mr. J. G. Radford) said that as result of the special effort that had been made, the greens would bo found to be as excelelntly conditioned as it was possible to make them. Tho game in the. first round of the handicap doubles between Airs. Johnson (Christcliurch) and Caughley (Wellington), and Mrs. Gambrill (Palmerston) and Colonel Hume (Nelson) provided the : spectators with several thrills. M rK - Gambrill in second turn played perfect croquet, making an eleven-point break, her judgment m attaining position being faultless. Subsequently she set a break for her partner, who, taking advantage of the lay out, reached the rover lioop in record time. The opponents were unable to pick up a long ball, ami the game ended in 75 minutes, Caughley and his partner not scoring a point. , , Another good game was between Alisses Maddren and Chambers (Christchurch), and Mr. and Mrs. Horner (Palea). Horner pegged Chambers out when Mrs. Borner had three hoops to make. Mrs. Maddren won by earetiit play. Airs. Horner advanced until the t’atea players were both rovers, and laid to peg out. The Christchurch lady who ’ a ■ only half a ball in view, got in a splendid shot, made the hist hoop amt pegged out, alter a game lasting tour In tile game between Archdeacon Breed Meredith (Wanganui) and Mrs. Smith (Christchurch), against Mrs AfeDovell unit Miss Lemphert (A\ ellington). Dm Christchurch player put in several good long shots, ami saved the situation. Airs. Cook (Karoii), the veteran of the Wellington district partnered by Ross had a win in the first round of the doubles, but were defeated in the second round, when they met Airs Ifuller and E J. Ross, who beat them by one point, Ross senior hitting his son through the last two hoops and pegging, him outAlosdamcs Caldow and Bright ling (H ataitui) had two wins, the iormer making eleven hoops straight away in their second game, against Mesdames Hogan and S the game between Mesdames Hartlett. and Kibblewhite (ITamiUon) ami Mrs, Tiffen and Aliss Blake (Napiei).. Die play was in and but, none making more than a couple of points. A start was made with the handicap singles, when Creed Aleredith ' met R. * , the second turn Creed Meredith made a break of seven. Caughley followed with five and then failed. lbs op ponent, playing a tactical game, scored ten points and then drew ahead and won by sixteen. The tactics in this game were of much interest to the spectators, each player not conceding I .no other a particle of ground. (.aughley baulked at the hoops and let his pponelit in and the game soon concluded. A Hoss met Chambers in the handicap singles. These club mates were expected to give a brilliant display, but Ross simply walked around to Hie rover hoop. Chambers was not up to form and, with a handicap of half a bisque, missed a double and let his opponent in. The. latter scored the maximum to Chambers’ six. Several of tho, games have been lengthy, one lasting five hours and several three and four. On account of the heat players have found conditions trying. Detailed results:— HANDICAP DOUBLES. First Round.—Mesdames McKenzie and Wilkinson (Wellington), 104, defeated Mesdames Kirk and Nicholson (Levin), 10J, 26—18; Mesdames Bartlett and Kibblewhite (Hamilton), defeated Mesdniries Tiffen and Blake (Napier), 5, 26 —18; Alesdames Rooke ami Jarvio (Wanganui), 7, defeated Aliss Power and Mrs. Dowling (Hawera), I), 26— 1. Second Round. —Alesdames Brightling and Caldow (Wellington), 54, defeated Mesdames Brown and Young (Palmerston North), 7i, 26 —IS; Mesdames Acheson and Hogan (Nelson and Napier), 7J, deieated Alesdames Watkins and Stone (Wellington), 44, 26 —13; Hums and Mrs. Gambrill (Nelson and Palmerston) 71 defeated Caughley • and Airs. Johnston (Wellington and Christchurch), J, 26—0; Creed Aiereditii and Airs. Smith (Wanganui and Christcliurch), 1 defeated Miss Lampert ad Mrs. McDowell (Welligton), 4, 26—14; Chambers and Mrs. Aladden (Christchurch. scr., defeated Horner and Airs. Horner (Patea), 10, 26 —24: Alesdames Watkins and Pitcaithly (Hastings), 14, defeated Alesdames Davies and Powell (Palmerston and II unterville), 13, 26—16; Roberston and Mrs. Horn (Palmerston and Dunedin), 51, defeated Mesdames Fuller and Robertson (Palmerston). 10, 26—7; Murray and Mrs. Collinson (Palm-, erston), 7. defeated Pollock and Airs. Pollock (Wellington), 9. 26—19; Mesdames nnd Healey (Palmerston and Woodville) defeated Alesdames AA r illiams and Powles (Hawera), 12, 26 —15; Ross and Mrs. Cook (Christchurch and Wel- P lington). 64, defeated Mesdames Spmley and Sinclair (Palmerston, 124, 26—15: Ross and Mrs. Fuller (Christchurch and Wellington), 4, defeated Mesdames T7smer and Halliday (Palmerston and AVeliington). 104. 26 —18; Alesdames Rhodes, Williams and Lowry CWellington), 41. defeated Mesdames Glass and Barns (Dannevirke), 71, 26 —25; Mesdames Harvey and AVaters' (Napier and Nelson), 64, defeated Afcsdames Spring and Thon ley (Palmerston), 10. 26—22: Alesdamct MeAlurray and McDonald (Foxton and Palmerston), 104, defeated Miss Power and Mrs Dowling (Hawera), 7. 26 —21. Third Round.—Mesdames Brightling nnd Caldow. 54. defeated Mesdames Aeheso nand Hogan, 7. 26—S; Ross and Mrs. Fuller. 4. defeated Ross and Mrs. Gcok, 64, 26—25: Mesdames Harvey and Waters,’ 64, defeated Mesdames Rhodes nnd Lowry, 44, 26—13. ’ DOAIINION HANDICAP SINGLES. A Section. First Round. —Hume (Nelson), 41, defeated Mrs. Davies (Palmerston. 5. 26—24; G. F. Ross (Christchurch), 14 defeated' T. F. Chambers (Sumner), 1, 26—5; AV. J. Robertson (Palmerston), 24, defeated Mrs. Horn (Dunedin). 3,26 —19: Greed Meredith (Wanganui), J. defeated R. Caughley (Wellington), -4, 26—10: Mrs. Kibblewliile (Hamilton), 24, defeated Mrs. H. Brown (Palmerston). 3.J. 26—7: Mrs C. Watkins (Hastings), scr., defeated Mrs. Spring (Palmerston). 4J. 26-22. B Section. First Round. —Mrs. Horner (Patea). 6|, win by default from Mrs. Savage, 12. INTER-CLUB MATCHES Results of inter-club matches are:— Intermediate Grade.—Hataitai, 52: St. Annistine’s, 52; Kelburn (2), 52; Ngaroma. 49; AVellington. 47; Island Bay, 14- Kelburn (1). a bye. |J Grade. —Waimarie, 52; Sesitoun. 42; Niiaroma. 41 : . WellinyUin, 38; Island Biv ”6; Lower Hutt. 26; Hataitai, 11; Fustbourne. 8; Lyall Bay, n bye. Owing to rain falling, some of the games were Tl ot completed and will have to bo rei>l ln < 'the intermediate grade Kelburn (2)

and St. Augustine’s have each played six matches, and the latter are leading |>v one point, having scored 267, to Kelbiirn’s 266. , . . ~ . In tho P> grade Warraario is well in (Im loud, being only six points behind the possible.