ON THE CROQUET LAWN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 5

ON THE CROQUET LAWN

Inter-club Fixtures and Results OPENING THE GAME (Notes By “Rover.”) The draw for the eighth round of play; ls -' A Grade. Woburn v. Wainiarle 1, Hataltai 1, v. Upper Hutt, Wellington 1 v. Kelburn 1, Eastbourne v. Central, Hataltai 2 v. Karori, Ngaroma v. Waimarie 2, Kelburn 2 v. Hutt, Wellington 2 v. Island Bay. Intermediate Grade. Karorl v Seatoun, Khandallah (i t®?®) i (4 team). Wellington 2 v. Lyall Bay 2 ($ team), Lyall Bay 1, a bye. B Grade. . . , c, Eastbourne v. Karorl, M® lm ,? rl£ r™ t ral' v. Woburn, Khandallah v. Hataltai, .Nga final one for this year. Play will be resumed on January 9, 1934. I "weil < l l n g’ton I?s2:’Hataltai 2, 52: Kelburn 1 Kelburn 2, 52; Wellington 1, 52; Hataltai 1. 50; Walmarle 1, 48; Island Bay, • TTnnAr Hutt 451 Eastbourne, £ 4?? Wellington 2735; Walmarle 2, 34; Woburn, 28; Seatoum 20; Ngaroma, 20; Central, 20; Hutt, 22. Intermediate Grade. Hutt 52; Seatoun, 52; Kelburn 1, 5-, Nuaroma 52; Woburn, 52; Walmarle 1,5.., LyaU Bay 1, 52; HataitaJ, 52; Walmarle 2, 4? y ; Wellington 2, 47; Kel ?? rn T -“’ oVI Victoria. 30; Eastbourne, 24; Karorl. 25, Khandallah, 12; Lyall Bay, 8. B Grade. , Island Bay, 52; Mt. Victoria, 52; Eastbourne, 52; Karorl, 52; Hataltai, 51; Seatoun, 50: Walmarle, 49, Ngalo, 40; Khandallah, 45; Kelburn, 45; Woburn, 34, Ngaroma, 26; St. Augustine s, 13; Central, 11. The play in the * B grade in this round was very interesting. In ten of the games the winning and losing scores only varied by seven. In one game especially, that between Hataitai and Waimarie, the issue was in doubt until the peg was hit. Ha.taitai Club lost by one point at home, and 'won at Waimarie lawn, but only by three points. The scores were: Hataitai 51, Waimarie 49. . Opening the Gaine. There is’ only one recognised opening for “A” grade players; namely, to send the first ball to the boundary, near No. 4 hoop; then the second player shoots a “tide” about ten yards along the boundary, from “A” baulk. The player of the third ball either leaves the “tice” alone, or joins his first ball. If the player is tempted by the "tice.” and misses, the ball goes right to the No. 2 corner; then the fourth ball usually joins the second ball in his corner. . ... Playing with bisques is quite a ditferent problem to level play. H ere ’ s an opening for a player who is giving away several bisques, and who is put in play by the winner of the toss. The first P“?J" ers hits the'ball to the fourth corner. The second player should shoot at this ball. The third ball is hit to No. 2 corner, and the fourth ball is either shot at the ball in the second corner, or at the two in the fourth corner. Nine times out of ten the shot is missed, and the weaker player has to take a bisque, and all that is generally done is to approach the first hoop with the two balls. Should the' player fail to score, the opponent has a safe shot at the two balls there. If she misses no great harm ensues, if she hits in she has a good start for an all-round break. ■ Another opening, for level play is,-for the first player to hit to the boundary opposite the fourth hoop, the second player sends her ball to about a yard in front of. the rover, hoop, on the side nearest the peg. If the third player shoots, at. the “tice” and misses, the'ball'goes to -“B” baulk, leaving it there for the fourth player, who can now set out a fair break. Answers to- Correspondents. “Cannot Hit.” If, as you say your eyesight is good, and yet you cannot hit the balls, there are several reasons for your failure. (1) If the mallet is not gripped firmly and evenly with both hands, it will be pulled slightly in the direction of the firmer grip. This is usually to the right. (2) An uneven stance causes a lot of misses. It is the habit of the majority of players to stand on one foot and the toe of the other;:.this gives an uneven bal- ! ance, particularly on a windy day. Standing firmly on both feet is the best stance possible. (3) Jlovement of the body is another fault. Many players bend at the knees, and bow gracefully to their speeding bail, or take a few. quick steps after hitting the ball. These movements are all unnecessary. The only part of the body which .should move at all, are the arms, and greater accuracy is obtained by keeping the former rigid, when the latter are swinging. (4) Lifting the head to watch the run of the ball is the most common fault. If you must follow ' the ball, do so with the byes only. A champion player cured herself of the headlifting habit by placing a closed pocketknife in a vertical position under her chin, and resting it on her chest before making-a shot. If the knife fell to the ground, the head had been 'lifted. Pollock Stars. The Wellington Club players did not receive the opposition they should have from the Central Club representatives, Mcsdames Pawson and Ridley, both of whom are strong players. The home team, Mesdames Caldow and Manton, won by a margin of 21 points. The Karori Club will be represented by Mesdames Lewis and Flint in; their challenge game for the Stars, which is being played on Wellington lawn at 1.30 to-morrow. Mrs. Brice will referee. Association Ferns. The Wellington Club is also the holders of the Association Ferns, which Mesdames Billing and Priddle wrested from the Hataitai Club on Monday. The game Iwas of over, five-hours duration and the intense heat was very trying for the participants. The long shooting of Mrs. Richardson, Hataitai, was remarkable: and she gained command of the .balls on four occasions when the' opponents were laid up to peg out. The game concluded with the scores 26-19. Mrs. Caldow was the'.referee. The next challenge comes from the Seatoun Club, which will be represented by Mesdames Page and Morton, and will be played at 10 a.tn. next Wednesday. The Wellington Club “B” team has only to win their challenge for the McKenzie.Cu.ps, when the club would be holding the trio of the Association trophies. .The Wairarapa Association has been very fortunate in having two handsome trophies presented to' it for competition in future tournaments. Mrs. E. M. Wakely has given a rose bowl for the ladies’ championship event, and Miss Eva Card has donated a challenge, cup, for players graded at four bisques and over.