CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 83, 2 January 1930, Page 6

CROQUET

TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA NOTES ON THE PLAYERS Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North. January 1. The test tournament which lias been held at Pajmerston North during the last few days has resulted in the selection of the following Dominion representative team to visit Australia : —Mr. A. G. F. Ross (Christchurch). Archdeacon Creed Meredith (Wanganui). Mrs. Cole (Auckland), Mrs. Smith (Christchurch), Mrs. Watkins (Hastings), and Mrs. Tiffeu (Napier). The team is to leave Wellington on Friday by the Marama,. and will be officially farewelled by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. G. A. Troup). The open test competition resulted as follows: —A. M. F. Ross. 16 wins, 2 losses; Mrs. Watkins, 13, 5; Archdeacon Creed Meredith, 13. 5; Mrs. Smith, 12, 6; Mrs. Tiffen, 12, 6; Mrs. Cole, 12, 6; E. O. Horner, 11, 7; H. P. Stratton, 12, 7; Mrs. Grinibi’ill. 10. 8; Mrs. Jarvie, 10, 8; A. J. Gibbs, 30, 8; Mrs. Johnston, S, 10; H. A. Penn, 8, 10; Mrs. Keys. 7. 1; W. J. Robertson, 7, 11; Mrs. Bartlett, 5, 13; G. Hart, 4. 14; Mrs. Kibblewhite. 3. Io; Mrs. I’itcaithly, 3, 15. The ladies’ test resulted as follows: — Mrs. Watkins, 8 wins, 2 losses; Mrs. Smith, 8,2; Mrs. Gambrill, 7,3; Mrs. Johnson, 6,4; Mrs. Tiffen, 6,4; Mrs. Cole, 6,4; Mrs. Jarvie, 5, 5. A feature of the tournament was the fine play, that of. the, ladies being particularly good, there being many close finishes. , „ Notes on the Team. The presoßce of Mrs. Kibblewhite, the champion of New Zealand, at the bottom of the list is surprising. Mr. A. G. F. Ross, of Christchurch, at present- the holder of the New Zealand open championship and five times previous winner, is at the present time the most outstanding player in the Dominion, and played a beautiful all-round game during the visit of the English team to this country two years ago. It was held that he could hold his own against the world’s best. Archdeacon Creed Meredith, of Wanganui, was"" formerly an English player, and has taken a keen interest in the game both as a plnycr and in an executive capacity. He is vice-president of the New Zealand Croquet Association, and in 1925. with Mrs. Leech, he won the North Island open doubles. His play is characterised by great care and he plays a good game in all departments. Leading Auckland Players. Mrs. Cole, a member of Monte Le Grande Club, is one of tbc leading Auckland players, but she has not competed in many tournaments. She will always be remembered by croquet enthusiasts for her great game, with Mrs. Dowell against Miss Steel and Colonel Du Pre. of England, in the final of the North Island doubles two years ago. She promised to be one of the best, if not the best, player in the Dominion. A good allrounder, she excels with long shots and plays the brejjk well. Mrs. Smith, of Christchurch, has a long list of honours against her name, and is one of the keenest players in.the Dominion. For the past three years she has held the Canterbury ladies’ championship, and has held the United Club championship on more than one occasion. Another good all-rounder, her game has improved wonderfully during the last few years. Mrs. "Watkins, of Hastings, was holder of the New Zealand open championship in 1923 and until 1926, the New Zealand ladies’ championship iu 1923 and 1925, nml North Island latites’ championship in 1923. >Shc has also been very successful in doubles. She is a very graceful player with a beautiful easy style. Mrs. Tiffen, of Napier, when at the top of her form, is one of the best lady players in the country. She held, the New Zealand ladies’ ebampidnship in 1926, and the North Island open championship in 1925. She is a splendid break player and a good tactician. The winner of the New Zealand gold medal, presented by Air. A. G. F. RosS, which is being run in conjunction with the open tourney, is still undecided. Air. Ross himself headed the list by 16 wins and two losses, but Mrs. Watkins and Archdeacon Creed-Meredith, each witli 13 wins and five losses, will play off for the medal.