EVENTS IN REVIEW

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 77, 1 April 1931, Page 20

EVENTS IN REVIEW

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON

IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWS

The English gold medal contest which finished, at Palmerston North last Thurmiay ended the New Zealand official calender fixtures for the season. In looking back one cannot fail to be impressed with the progress tho giuno •of croquet is making ia the Dominion. The keen, interest and enthusiasm displayed by competitors has this year been reeflcted in a very marked degree by spectators also, a feature most gratifying to followers of this much maligned sport, which is gradually, but nevertheless surely, rising above the opprobrium in which, during the last decade, it has been somowhat enshrouded. The tightening up of the rules has produced finer techical execution of strokes and this in its turn has produced, or lather demanded, greater intelligence in tho ethics of the game; all of which may justly be described as powerful factors combining for progress. A few years ago the game was usually a moro or less one-sided affair in the hands of two experts as the winner of the toss chose tJie lead and, becanse all opening shots had to be played from the "A" baulk, and subsequently the "A" baulk-line, this player had every chance of completing the round with one ball and leaving things most happily and conveniently arranged *W ills "partner. By finishing his break in truly orthodox style his opponent's balls would be "wired" from (inch other, one on either side of the hoop, in order for his second ball, his own two being carried to tho most distent part of the lawn, with a nice rush _ to 'that particular hoop. By these tactics, produced directly by the laws in operation for that period, the unfortunate oufc-player (i.e., he who lost the toss) had only two options when his turn arrived—firstly, to shoot at the distant balls, and stake all on scoring the.hit which would give him the chance he itvas seeking, with the risk of missing and leaving a perfect four:ball break for his opponent, who would have the opportunity of repeating his performance with the former ball. Of course there was the possibility of the latter breaking down, but we arc dealing with a game between experts! (2) He teould decline the proffered shot and play into a corner, or otherwise out of Vho game, "Was it any wonder that the spectators found the game uninteresting or that the lesser lights became 'discouraged ? ' Effect of Improvements. Host of this has been altered by enlarging the scope and powers of the opening shots, which may now be played from the baulk line "either on the south boundary or on the north, and ,t,he fourth ball has thereby an almost oqual chance with the third of getting into play. Peculiarly enough, tho winner of the toss now invariably decides to put his opponent in first and chance bitting in with the half-lawn shot ■which is now, obtainable. Players are sometimes clover enough to interpret the wording of tho rule regarding "lead" or "balls" (which has never been, actually altered) to mean "play" or balls. It would save a deal- of confusion in many cases if this word "lead" which can only mean one thing —i.e., first play—were altered to read "play" or balls. It savours of a conciliatory concession when a player, on winning the toss, announces his decision to play "second," thereby according to the wording of the rule declining the lead, and offering his opponent both lead and balls. Speaking in a. strictly literal sense the writer claims that while the rule reads "lead" or, anyone so desiring, after having been given tho choice of balls, could refuse to play first, though for obvious reasons the mediocre player will gladly accept both lead and balls. This, however, is by the way, and the writer has been strongly of the opinion since the "lift" shot was introduced that this has been the most potent -factor in advancing tho game. The worst that can be said of the lift shot is that it prolongs the game, and the writer "claims that this in itself is proof positive that it has been the means of giving the out player his chance to contest the match which naturally would take longer than if he sat out and watched his adversary play withoutaay hope of stemming his progress. Some of the experts who strenuously fought this innovation at the time, now agree that tho "lift" shot does not go far enough. Truly a great concession from players such as Dr. Edgar Whitaker and Mr. Caffin, its foremost oppositionists, not to mention Miss D. D. Steel, who advocates tho prohibition of wiring any balls. This would mean that in a very short time croquet would be reduced to such a rieidulously easy game, unless the lawns were enlarged, that the majority would not find any fascination in playing it. What can possibly be more sporting in croquet than tho risk taken when attempting a close wire, knowing full well that. failure will result in a doubly easy shot for one's adversary, arid what can give more genuine satisfaction to the player or evoke higher admiration from his adversary than the perfect technical execution displayed by successful wiring tactics? . Further, do not these wired balls, if left within possible distances, inspire the player to practise that wonderful emergency stroke, the jump? To see Dr. Fullerton, of Auckland, Mr. Cusabs, of Rotorua, and Mr. A. G. IT. Koss, of Ohristchureh, jump a ball over the hoop and. make a roquet with the erstwhile wired ball is indeed an inspiration to all genuine enthusiasts: and what is possible! for one is possible for others, provided they are. prepared to give the shot the intensive study and practice it requires. The Championships. Speaking of the interest aroused this season, some nirniion might. bo made of the Dominion championship matches played in Clirjslcliiirch whon on. more than ono ocp.isi.ou there were about two hundred spec! a tors, among whom, was an unusually largo sprinkling of men. The enthusiasm displayed after the final, when tho winner, Mr. H. J. Williams, of Sumner, was "chaired" from the lawn after his brilliant: exhibition is probably without parallel in the history of croquet in New Zealand. Eight down to interelub matches has this spirit of outside interest been evinced in marked degree, and it augurs well for the continued advancement of the game. The English G-old Medal. Congratulations to Mr. Gibbs, of Patea, on his success in annexing the English gold medal from a formidable field of 19 entries in a Yankee competition confined to 3 bisqucrs and uuilnr. To coino through a competition ot: this nature considerable . physical fitness and endurance is essential, and Mr. fiibbs hag clearly demonstrated that he possesses these qualities. Thc.B?.gnall-Wild System. A correspondent, a Tier .-ipyln^ising , for what; she terms her "slianicftil ig-

norance," asks how io make a draw on the Bagjiall-Wikl system. First let me deny the "shameful ignorance," for the actual method of procedure has never, as far as tho writer is aware, boon explained in any of tho New Zealand annuals, and il: a member has not been in an office requiring this duty she cannot be blamed for not knowing how to carry it out. Like everything else it is very simple when you know how. The .tables of byes set forth in the year book gives the number oi byes at tho top, and the same at tho bottom; also the number of matches to be set down on tho chart, but many novices do not know how to manipulate the byes, etc. An entry of 5, being over 4, must be increased to tho next multiple of 2, which is 8. Three of the 5 competitors will have a bye in the first round and will pass into tho second round without having to play to get there. The remaining two play a match in the first round to decido who shall enter the second round. To avoid any "arrangement" of how competitors shall meet and to ensure fairness to all, the table stipulates that in -all even numbers of byes, viz., 4, 6, 8, etc., half shall be placed at the top of the chart and the other half at the bottom. Likewise when there are 3, 5, and 7, etc., the ono over is added to the bottom. Thus, with three byes one is written at the top and two at the bottom. Now to proceed with an entry of five: Have your chart ruled with vertical columns just wide enough to take vthe names, and head the first column "first round," the next "second round," and so on. Place all the names, in a suitable receptacle, and draw one out. This will bo the name to go in the second round at the top, as tho top bye has to be drawn first. According to the table on page 2S, with 5 entries there is to be one match. Now draw two names together to ascertain, who shall play, and place these names in the first column to 'the left and just below the bye already in the second column. Bracket these two names and draw an extension line, thus ) — to carry the name of the winner into the second round immediately beneath the No. 1 bye,. and bracket these two to play in this round. Next draw the remaining (two) byes, and place them in the order drawn underneath this line waiting to receive the winner's name in the second column. Bracket tho two names, drawing these last two byes, and they will play off to see who reaches the third round. There are now four competitors playing in the second round, viz., top bye versus winner of match in first round, and the other two who have drawn the byes in the first round. In this way the losers are eliminated, and the winners are carried forward until only one remains—the finalist. With this small entry three rounds completes the event, and the fourth column will therefore contain only one name —the winner. This "Bagnall-Wild" method is so named after the two gentlemen who formulated it, and can be played either on a "sudden death" principle of "one loss and you're out," or on the single life principle whereby each match consists of the best of three games, and ensures.each player having at least two games, and sometimes three. It can also be adopted for that excellent principle known as the "two life," which never goes to three games except when especially stipulated in tho conditions for the final and semifinal of the event. In this each player gets his or her two games before being eliminated, but as each game falls in a different "life" they are not so strenuous as if played as tho regulations for 3-set matches require—viz., "Without pause and on the same lawn if possible." Whitaker Cup. Mr. A. G. IV Boss, of Christehureh, who has won outright the handsome trophy presented by Dr. Edgar Whitaker, has very ( generously handed over the cuo in question to the New Zealand Council with the wish that it might be used as a perpetual challenge trophy in future. In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Eoss for, his gift, the delegate for Wairarapa (Mrs. Khodos Williams) suggested that she would like to see a "Level Singles" event added to the programme for the Dominion Tournament which would bo confined to players of 31 bisques and over, and that it would serve as a nice acknowledgment of the, debt of gratitude the New Zoalanders owed Dr. Whitaker, the founder of our council, if his trophy were allocated to this event and named the "Whitaker Cup." This suggestion met with seconders in several places and was carried unanimously. It was subsequently stipulated that any player entering in either tho Open Singles or the Ladies' Championship would not be eligible to compete in the "Level Singles." An event of this description was introduced into the Wellington programme last year and into Canterbury's programme this year, and in both cases has proved an exceedingly popular number. Another matter for congratulation is the carrying of a resolution put forward by the 'Official referee and handicapper (Mr. A. G. I'\ Eoss), "That handicap doubles in the three principal tournaments ruir under the auspices of the Now Zealand Council be restricted to pairs whose combined handicap is not less than four bisques." This means that a player with a uiinus handicap would of necessity have to partner with at least 4£ bisques. This restriction absolutely precludes two experts playing together, and will make many openings for tho longer bisqucrs in future tourneys.