CROQUET TOURNEY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 19

CROQUET TOURNEY

The Wellington Croquet Association tournament at Lower Hutt has had more onlookers than is usual, no doubt owing to the beautiful weather conditions, and yesterday there was a record crowd to see some qi the finals decided. -, The following games were completed yesterday afternoon: — Club Pairs.—Final: Mesdames Johnson and Walker v. Mesdames Manton and Mitchell, 2Q-14. . . ■ Handicap Doubles.—Final: Mesdames Wickens and Watson v. Mesdames Heenan and Robinson, 2G-23. Ladies' Championship.—First lite: Mrs. Johnson v. Mrs. Walker, 2G-12. • Open .Championship.—Mrs. Boocock v. Mrs. Caldow, 21-24; Mrs.Caldow retired. Championship Doubles.—Final: Mr. and Mrs Boocock v. Mesdaiies Wickens and Watson, 26-19. Handicap Doubles (Post Entry)v—Mesdames Mouat and Greig v. Mesdames Cleland and Sutcliffe, 20-19; Mesdames Cook and Hughes v. Mesdames Smith and Coatman, 26-19. • It says something for the stamina of 82 years that Mrs. Cook, of Karori, and her'partner, played for just on five hours before they were victorious in their game in the post entry. Woburu Club, which was formed this season, has supplied the winners of the club pairs, and the club, and .Mesdames Johnson and Walker were heartily congratulated on the first club victory. In the beginning of the game Mrs. Mitchell was playing really well, getting to rover in two turns, but like many others she omitted to allow for the four back lift and let Mrs. Johnson in. Mrs. Johnson soon got to the peg, and left the balls for her partner. Mrs. Manton, though hitting well, had trouble at the hoops, and it was not long before Mrs. Walker joined Mrs. Johnson on the peg. Mrs. Manton made another excellent start, but broke down, and finally Mrs. Walker pegged out both balls with a very long shot. The winners of this event hold Lady Luke's Rose Bowl. The final in the handicap doubles be^ tween Mesdames Wickens (2) and Wat: son (6) (Featherston) and Mesdames Heenan (10V4) and Kobinson (9%) (Eastbourne) drew a big crowd of onlookers, and it was a very plucky fight the Eastbourne pair put up. They were certainly armed with six bisques, all of which they used, but not having had tournament experience the bisques were more or less a worry to them. While any of the bisques were still in hand the Featherston players had to play safe, and there was no spectacular play, but the result shows the tactics were sound. Mrs. Kobinson, who is officially bisqued at W2, was able to make rover hoop and peg out Mrs. Wickens's ball, a brave effort from QV2 to a 2 handicap. Mrs. Watson, who was al.-j on the peg, had several tries before she was successful in pegging, but she managed to give the crowd a sensation by hitting 'the stick with a 20-yard shot from the line. There was an unrehearsed dance of jubilation on the green, with lots of praise, for the plucky fight of the Eastbourne juniors. The final of the championship doubles, in which Mesdames Wickens and Watson also figured against Mr. and Mrs. Boocock. was started as soon as the lormer couple bad had a spell, but as it'was still going strong at 7.50 p.m., and darkness had fallen, it was marked out to be finished this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Boocock were playing' better than their opponents, though all were weary, and the real fight began when Mrs. Boocock was for the peg and Mr. Boocock for rover. Mr. Boocock peeled his partner through threo back, and in her next turn Mrs. Boocock peeled through four back, which did the Featherston players out of one lift. Sirs. Watson took her ball to balk and made a hoop ..with every appearance of being well in, but missed an easy shot.' Both aides had many tries before Mr. Boocock finally rolled both balls to the peg, winning by seven points. The winnera hold the Keith Izard Commemoration Cup. Mrs. Hope (Christchurch), and formerly of the Ngaroma Club, and Mrs. C. Izard, the donor of the Keith Jzard Cup in memory of her son, were interested visitors to the tournament yesterday.