CROQUET NOTES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 6

CROQUET NOTES

Players and Handicapping INTER-ISLAND MATCHES

(By

“Rover.”)

As a sequel to their play in Hawke's Bay, Mrs. Watkins, official handicapper for the Dominion, has reduced the handicap of two Wellington players. Mrs. Allen (Seatoun) is reduced to three bisques, and Mrs. Pickard (Ngaroma) is altered to five bisques. The club handicappers have a busy time ahead of them, as all handicap lists must/be forwarded before April 30 to the honorary secretary of the Wellington association. Several local players who have taken a prominent part in association and Dominion tournaments, as well as local competitions, must expect to be substantially reduced in handicap. ’ Some players view with great satisfaction a reduction in their handicap, and their advancement to a higher grade. Others have a different opinion, and rather regret losing their bisques. If the latter would only look at the matter from a club point of view—that the handicapper’s position is one not to be envied, and he, or she, is trying to do the best for all —any sense of injustice that exists would be removed. Inter-Island Contest.

The Dominion council has arranged to hold an inter-island contest next season. A selector in each island will be appointed. and the teams pitted against each other. Some very interesting games should ensue. It is probable that the fixture will be held in each island alternately, the teams captained by leading players from both districts. Kelbum Club.

The president of the Kelburn club, Mrs. F. 'Wallis, has issued invitations to club members to attend the annual prize-giving ceremony, which will tqke place at the clubhouse on Friday. April 21, at 2 p.m.

A pleasant afternoon was spent on Saturday last on the Kelburn lawns. The members assembled in full force to do honour to those who had done eo well in the association competitions. Friendly games were played, and during the afternoon tea interlude Mrs. F. Wallis, president, tendered her congratulations to the guests of honour on their victories, and on upholding the worthy traditions of the club.

The guests included Mesdames Magill, Nicol, and Todd (club champions) ; also Mesdames Marris, Burd, Lindsay. Roffe, and Willis, who had been successful in winning the association’s shield in the intermediate grade. The B grade members were Mesdames Todd, Wilson, N. Donovan, Ilsley, and Taylor, who had been the means of winning the “B” grade shield. Mrs. R. Gardner, club captain, eulogised the team work of the players, which had been such a great factor in their successes,. Lyall Bay Club.

The Lyall Bay club is always to the fore in any effort for the Free Ambulance, and the afternoon they held recently was a most successful one. The sum of £ll was raised. Competitions were held and entered into with enthusiasm by the visitors. The results are: Angles, Mrs. Creeke I, Mrs. Manton 2. French. Mrs. Mitchell 1, Mrs. Liddell, 2. Peg. Mrs. 11. McKenzie 1, Mrs. Grant 2. Golf, Jit'S. Roffe 1, Mrs. AfcGill 2. McKenzie Cups.

The Kelburn club is the holder of the McKenzie Cups, Mesdames Ilsley and Taylor being their successful representatives. .As times did not permit the full draw of challenges to be played this season, four clubs—Johnsonville, I’limmerton, AVoburn, and Lyall Bay—will take precedence'in the draw' next season.-

A Promising Player. A player who has conie to the fore in Taranaki.is Miss J. Beal, Kawaroa. She is handicapped at 6J, and played in the Dominion tournament at Hutt, where she reached the finals in the handicap event. She has now made a marked forward step by winning the champion of champions event ill the Taranaki district. Miss Beal in her final game met Mrs. L. Brown, a 3J bisque player, and beat her in the best of three games. She lost the first game 18-26, but won the other two, 26-10, 2620. The Wellington association was the first body to arrange a champion of champions competition, some six years ago, and their example has been widely followed in both the North and South ■lslands. A friendly contest was played between the New Plymouth and South Taranaki representatives recently, at New Plymouth. Three doubles were played and six singles, the home team winning by 6 to 2. A return match is to be played this week. Mount Victoria Chib. •The Mount Victoria Club's ambulance day was most successful, more than 80 guests and members being present. Air. Norwood expressed his thanks to the club for the assistahee they had given in the past, and he also stated that the croquet players generally were always willing to help the ambulance funds to the beM of their ability, and could be relied on in times of stress. The sum of £9 was raised, and the results of the competitions were: Angles, Miss Jordan: peg-out. Mrs. Henderson: ladder, Mrs. Wilkie; quoits, Mrs. Roffe; to and fro, Mrs. Russell. The president. Mrs, Campbell, thanked the visitors for their attendance, and also mentioned how pleased the members of the club were to welcome back Mrs. Mc-r Gill, who had been ill for so long. Ranganiaire Club. The Ranganiaire club closed its playing season on Saturday afternoon, when tho club trophies were presented to the winners. There was a representative gathering of members. The Wallace Cup was won by'Mrs. C. Suistcd. the runner-up being Mrs. Gosset, who received the Jane Cook Silver Button. Mrs. Phillips won the Wallaee Silver Vase, and an appropriate gift was handed to Mrs. Gosset by Mrs. Wallace in appreciation of the excellent, service the former had given to the, club during the season. Competitions were held during the afternoon, and resulted as follow: Golf, Mrs.. Gossett: French. Mrs, Smedley; ladder, Mrs. Drayton; tunnel. Mrs. Dinnie. At the conclusion of the gathering, hearty cheers were accorded Mrs. Wallace for her unfailing cdurtesy. and kindly interest in the club and its members. Personal.

Mrs. Meikle (Te Aroha). who has been staying at the Grand Hotel, has left for Christchurch. Mrs. A. Ramsay ('Wellington) _ will spend tho Easter holidays nt Ohingaiti. Mrs. W. E. Caldoiv (Wellington) intends to spend Easter at Paekakariki.