CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 79, 27 December 1928, Page 7

CROQUET

(By

“Rover.”)

COMING EVENTS. Canterbury xAssoclation Tournament Christchurch, began yesterday. Gold Medal Competition—Christchurch. January 2. 1929. Dominion Championship — Wanganui. Wednesday, January 16. Wellington Association TournamentLower Hutt, Thursday, January 31. South Taranaki Association Tournament — Hawera, February 4. North island Championship—New Plymouth. February 13. Otago Annual Tournament —Dunedin, ret>ruary 20. , „ , Manawatu Association Tournament 1 almerston North, February 26. South Taranaki Association lirst annual B grade tournament —Hawera, March ;>. Southern Hawke’s Bay Tournament— Daunevirke, Tuesday, March 5. Tournament I’lajers. Many exponents of the mallet game are looking forward to taking part in one or more of the championship tournaments which are set down for decision in the first three months of 1929. A number of players so arrange their annual holidays that they may lit lu with one of the various tournaments that are arranged by the several croquet districts throughout the Dominion each year. Southern Hawke's Bay Is to the fore with a programme of six events. The open championship, open to association players, will be played on the two-life svstem and the winner will hold the Riddell Rose Bowl for the year. The handicap singles and doubles will be on the two hours and a half ttuie Itmtt. Mrs. J. Harris, of Dannevfrkc, Is the secretary. The Otago championships will be held on the Punga lawns. The singles will be on the two-life system, final best of three games. The handicap events have a time limit of two hours and a half and are open to A and B grades, the former being players with seven bisques and under and the latter those with over seven bisques. It will be noted that in the local tournament, In handicap play, the time limit and shortened games have been eliminated from the programme. No restrictions whatever, have been placed upon k “se contests as was the case in the imine Mile past. Last year the shortened game »as in evidence during the tournament and was found to be more satisfactory than the time limit. Association Competitions.

In the association competitions challenges have beeu entered by Haeremai (Island Bay), Ngaronia. and St. Augustine (Petone) clubs, for the Pollock Stars. Waimarie (Lower Hutt), Haeremai, and St. Augustine have each entered a challenge for the second round of tlie Association Ferns, and Eastbourne, Island Bay, and Ngaronia for the McKenzie Cups. Play in these competitions will be resumed on January 10, ou account of the holidays. Kelburn Club holds the Pollock Stars, Wellington Club the Association Ferns, and Seatoun Club the McKenzie Cups. The challenges have been played regularly, and keen interest has been displayed. Several of the contests have been of a close nature, and the results have been in doubt until the final stages. Recent Contests.

The scores In competition games which were played recently arc as follow;— A Grade.—Kelburn ' (No. 1), 52; Waimarie, 17. Hutt, 52; Hataitai, 40. Haeremai, 52; Khandallah, 25. Kelburn (No. 1), 50; Haeremai. 30. Kelburn (No. 2), 46; Wellington, 40. Waimarie, 2(1; Khaudallah, 21 (one game to play). Kelburn (No. 1), 26; Hutt, 12 (one game to play). Kelburn (No. 2), 37; Hataitai. 34. Intermediate Grade.—St. Augustine. 46; Ngaronia, 3(1: Haeremai, 2(1; Wellington, 26; Kelburn (No. 1). 26; Woburn, 20; Wellington, 26 (postponed game); Karori, 17; Karori, 10 (postponed game); Waipiaric, 18; Hutt, 15. B Grade.—Wellington. 52 ;Seatoun, 52; Kelburn, 50; Karori, 45; Island Bay, 25; Khandallah, 24. The seventh round results are: Karori, 52; Eastbourne, 20; Island Bay, 2(1; Ngaronia. 2(1; Waimarie, 26: Kelburn, 14: Mount Victoria, 11. Undoubtedly, the finest exhibition of croquet that has so fur been .given this season was that of Mrs. Boek, of Hutt Club, In a game against Hataitai. Mrs. Bock was in excellent form, and it is safe to predict that should .she reproduce so high a grade of croquet in Dominion competitions she will be indeed difficult to beat. The accuracy of her shots was a feature, for she did not miss due, and the position for hoop running was excellent. Mrs. Boek made a break of 6 points, and she never failed to upset her opponent’s position, and helped her partner on every available occasion. The Hataitai players played well, but were unable to make much progress against the visiting players. The lawns which are comparatively new. are settling down, and apparently require more treatment by the roller to bring them up to first-class condition. Breaks.

Trophies are to be awarded to the players, in the several grades, In competition play syho are successful in making the largest break. In the A grade the minimum number of points to be recorded bv the secretaries of clubs Is five, in the intermediate grade four, and three in the B grade. There are a number of matches yet to be decided, but so far some of the highest breaks are as follow:— A Grade.—Mrs. O'Donnell (Kclburu), 11, 8 and 7; Mrs. Collins (Hacretnnl), 10: Mrs. Caldow (Hataitai), 10; Mrs. Lowry (Kelburn), 10; Mrs. Henderson (Kelburn), 8; Mrs. Gardner (Kelbnrli), 6 and 5: Mrs. Boek (Hutt), 6; Mrs. Len Watktn, 6 and 5; Mrs. Fuller (Kelburn), 5: Miss Leinjifort (Kelburn). 5; Mrs. Mount (Wai"'intermediate.—Mrs. Hughes (Waimarie); 4: Mrs. Flint (Karori), 4. B. Grade.—Mrs. Fairley (Ngaronia). 5 and 3; Mrs. Pollock (Eastbourne), 3; Mrs. Grant (Karori), 3. postponed Games.

Rain has interfered, to an appreciable extent, with the progress of grade cotnpetitions, but it is expected that these will be concluded at an early date. Except for the postponed games the A competition has been concluded. Considering the adverse weather conditions, that have had to be contended With, the lawns have been found to be in good playing trim, although, in some instances a high wind affected accuracy and militated against breaks being recorded. Exponents of the game who rely, on their “touch” of the lawn to lay out breaks, were sadly handicapped by tlie wind, but notwithstanding this drawback the results show how well this adverse condition was provided for. Office of Association Vice-President. As a mark of respect to their late vicepresident, Mrs. E. McDowell, the local association decided that the office should not be filled for three months. This period expired ou December 24, and the matter will come un for consideration at the next meeting of the association. . Personal. In the Brighton (England) tournament, one of the competitors was Mrs. J. 11. Beale, of Melbourne, whom the English players had met during their visit to Aus-, tralia, and former acquaintances were renewed. Mrs. Beale played in the handicap singles and was successful in reaching the final round. In which she met Major Seymour, by whom she was defeated. Mrs. Caldow, of Hataitai Club, is visiting the Sounds for a fortnight. On her return to Wellington Mrs. Caldow will leave for Wanganui to take part in the Dominion tournament.

Mr. and Mrs. E. Booeoek, Haeremai Club, Island Bay, will be competitors in the Dominion tournament which will be held at Wanganui in January. Mr. C. Ferguson, honorary secretary of the Dominion Croquet Council, passed through Wellington en route for Christchurch to spend the Christmas holidays. Mrs. O’Donnell, of Kelburn Club, is leaving on a month’s visit to Auckland.

Amongst the visiting croquet players to Wellington are Mesdames Wakeley, Adamson, Barry and Miss Eva Card, of Haunui Club, Featherston.