CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 138, 7 March 1929, Page 7

CROQUET

(By

“Rover.”)

English Gold ».nd Silver Medal Competltion. Many local players have the impression that the English gold and silver medal competition is solely for A grade players. Such is not the case. The contest is open to any player, the- only proviso being that they shall be an associate of a club affiliated to the Wellington Croquet Association, which body, in turn, is affiliated to the English Association, and accordingly is eligible to receive the medals donated by the English centre. Following the precedent established by the Auckland Association, the local body has decided to make the entrance fee ss. per entrant. Wellington Club. A series of “friendly" matched are to be played on every 'Thursday afternoon at the lawns of the Wellington Club, the intermediate and B grade players in other elubs being that club's guests. 'The first games will be played to-day, when the players from Island Bay and Beatoun will meet two of the home team. On the following 'Thursday two intermediate players from St. Augustine’s and Khandallah Clubs will be the guests of Wellington Club. ? Pollock Stare. The final challenge game in the first round of the Follock Stars competition was played between Kelburn (holders) and Waimarie (challengers), and the former were successful in scoring the major points. Mesdames Gardner and O Donnell represented Kelburn and Mesdames Mouat and Kelly the Waimarie Club. The second round has been arranged and clubs Will play in the following order; St. Augustine’s, Haeremai and Ngaroma. However, as the competition concludes the last Friday in March, it is doubtful whether there Will be sufficient time to play all the games. Association Ferns. The holders of the association ferns (Island Bay Club) were successful in defeating the challengers (Hataltal Club) in their challenge game. Mesdames Breeze and Griffiths played for Island Bay Club, Mrs. Griffiths substituting for Mrs. Heymanson, wfio was one of the original winners. The Hataitai Club was represented by Mesdames Brice and Chambers, who were defeated by 4 points. Mrs. Breeze played a remarkably fine game, her long shooting being a strong factor in the win. nlng of the game, as she missed only three long shots during play. Mrs. Breeze made a good start, and had scored 9 points before any of the other competitors had made the first hoop. Had her partner been playing up to the same standard, the game would have been quickly over, but it was drawn out to about a four hour one. Mrs. Griffiths started by making two hoops (the second one was from a most extraordinary angle), and the score was 11—0. Mrs. Breeze in her next turn made 4 back, and then completely forgetting about the “lift” turn, took blue and black to the corner in B baulk, and laid a perfect drive for black's hoop. Mrs. Brice lifted red ball, and secured a good rush to the first hoop, but laid in the centre, with her partner near by. Mrs. Breeze got in one of her long shots, and scattered the opponents’ balls, then returned to ■ her partner. Mrs. Brice responded with a long shot also and made the first hoop, 12—1, but baulked at the next. A few turns later Mrs. Breeze wired blue and black from red, but unfortunately did not observe that yellow was also wired, thus giving Mrs. Brice, another lift shot, which she played from B baulk where blue and black were lying. Mrs. Brice made full use of the opportunity, set out a good break and scored eight points before failing. Mrs. Chambers, who had not been playing her usual game, previously, now moved off the first hoop, and In a couple of turns reached the firth, which evened the scores considerably, and they were thirteen all. Mrs, Chambers took the “lift” with yellow parted the opponents, and took red to the first return, and laid a good drive for the next turn, when. she made three points for yellow. In and out play followed, Hataitai gradually scoring point by point, until the scoring was 22—21, after which Hataitai made only one point, and the game concluded 26—22. Mrs. Chambers, who usually is excellent on her drives, was completely off then), and this fact probably accounted for the weakness of her play in the other shots; as it is quite a usual thing for her to roquet a ball from one end of it green to the other. The next club to meet Island Bay in this competition will be Khapdallah, represented by Mesdames Wright and Spence, Ngaroma Club is then next on the list of challengers. These games will probably be the last for this season for the ferns, as the competition will end on the last Friday in March. McKenzie Cups. To-day, Kliandallah Club will play Woburn Club for these trophies. Mesdames Monks and Rowe (holders) will meet Mesdames Fletcher and Nalder, who will represent Khandallah. The game will be played on the lawns of the Woburn Club. Island Bay Club. In the competition for the Rodgerg Club pairs of the Island Bay Club, Mesdames Wiiichcombe and Brown have so far been successful in every game in which they have participated. Haunui Club. The finals in the A grade championship of the Haunui Club, Featherston, were played between Mesdames Vincent and Barry, each competitor having won a life. The games were full of interest for the onlookers. Mrs. Bary won the first game 26—15, then Mrs. Vincent turned the tables by winning the second one 26—19. A third game was thus necessary to decide the winner, and this was keenly fought out to the finish, Mrs. Barry proving the winner by six points. Mrs, Barry now holds the Rlddlford Cup, a handsome silver trophy presented to the Haunui Club by the patroness, Mrs. D. Riddlford. For the last two years Mrs. Barry has been runnerup in the championship. Mrs. Vincent, this season’s runner-up, won the Haupui Cup last week. Featherston Club, In the Featherston Club the championship is reaching the final stages. In the A grade Mr. T. Saunders has been most successful. In the game against Mrs. Wickens the scores were 2d—2l, 26—19. Against Mrs. Fairbrother the scores were 26—20, 26—23, and meeting Mrs. Watgop in a third game, he had two wins 26—-20, 26—14. Wellington Regiment Colours, A large number of croquet players were present last Sunday at the ceremony of trooping the colours. Mrs. 'W. Austin, hon. secretary of the women’s committee, and also president of the Wellington Croquet Association, was unavoidably absent from the ceremony, but it was largely owing to her interest and efforts that the croquet clubs rallied around and collected a big percentage of the necessary mopey to provide the colours for the Wellington Regiment. Pergonal. The numerous friends of Mrs. Bruce Christie -will regret to hear she is an inmate of the Bowen Street Hospital. Mrs. Heymansen is visiting Palmerston North. Mrs. J. Fairbairn (Woburn) will leave by the Rangitikel next month on a trip to Vincent, Barry, Carlyou, Adamson and Mips Eva Card are visiting Dannevirke fqr the Ifawke’s Buy tournament. Mrs. Billing, president of the Wellington Club, is at present confined to her home through illness. Answers to Correspondents. H.W.: Your opponent was quite right, ns contact balls can be placed in any position, whether in a corner or on the line, but they must all be “touchers.”