CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 109, 1 February 1930, Page 13

CROQUET

NORTH ISLAND TOURNEY FINAL GAMES TO-DAY The- annual North Islaand croquet tournament was continued yesterday on the lawns of several clubs in the Hutt Valley, as well as on the Hutt Bowling Club’s green. The weather was fine but windy. A strong northerly wind blowing across the lawns made long shots difficult, and conditions generally unpleasant for both players and spectators alike. The standard of play was good and a decided improvement upon that witnessed earlier in the tournament. Mr. Richards, the well-known English player, expressed his admiration at the sbootiing of the ladies during the championship. In his opinion it excelled anything he had seen in both England and Scotland. He has taken the keenest interest in the tournament, explaining and demonstrating to the players shots and stance and other • finer points and tactics of the game. Before leaving on his return to England he hoped to be able to give a demonstration of shots to the members of the local clubs. \ A Good Victory. In the first life of the ladies’ championship yesterday Mrs. N. Smith gave a brilliant display of croquet. Her long shooting was a feature of the day’s play. In the third round she defeated Mrs. Bock by a good margin of points. Mrs. Boek in the previous day’s play had the distinction of defeating Mr. Richards, the first defeat lie has received since the opening of the tournament. < The star attraction to-day will be the final of the open championship, which will be commenced at 9 a.m. Mr. Richards will then meet Mrs. (yaldow. Handicap Doubles. The final of the handicap doubles was decided on Thursday evening, Miss McFarlane and Mr. Richards being successful with a margin of 10 points to their credit. Mrs. Moeller made a good start with a break of seven off a bisque, but neither her partner nor herself was able to keep it up. The game was finished in the dark, it being necessary on occasions to hold a handkerchief to mark the position of the balls. Providing the weather remains fine, it is hoped to bring the tournament to a conclusion to-day. Detailed results are as follow:— LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP. First Life. Second round: Mrs. Bock (Hutt) defeated Mrs. Mcllroy (Haeremai), 2G—--14. Third round : Mrs. Gambrill (Palmerston North) defeated Mrs. Moeller (Hataitai), 26—11; Mrs. N. Smith (Central) defeated Mrs. Bock, 26—11. Semi-final round: Mrs. Gainbrill defeated Miss McFarlane (Palmerston North), 26—11: Mrs. N. Smith defeated Mrs. Brown (Northern), 26 —18. Second Life. Third round: Mrs. Cnldow (Wellington) defeated Mrs. Pitcaithley (Hastings). OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. Semi-final round: Mrs. Caldow defeated Mrs. Jarvie (Wanganui), 26—10, 26 —9. HANDICAP SINGLES. Fourth round: Mr. W. Windsor Richards. (England) (owe i), defeated Mrs. Brown (3), 26—7. Fifth round: Mr. W. Windsor Richards defeated Mrs. Taylor (Waimarie) (4-J), 26—13; Dlrs. Poison (Masterton) (7) defeated Mrs. Caldow (’2), 26—21. HANDICAP DOUBLES. Final round; Miss McFarlane and Mr. W. 'Windsor Richards (2) defeated Mesdames Moeller and Chambers (Hatnitai) (9) 26—16. TO-DAY’S DRAW. ’ The draw for to-day is as follows: — Hutt Bowling Green. 9 a.m.: Mr. W. Windsor Richards v. Mrs. W. Caldow, Open Championship. Later Mrs. Qaldow and Mrs. Mount will meet in the second life of the Ladies’ Championship and Mrs. Mcllroy will play the winner of the Mrs. Jarvie-Mrs. Boocock match.