CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1931, Page 20

CROQUET NOTES

by "Concentrate"

COMING TOURNAMENTS. IVfanawatu Tournament (Palmerston "• North).—24th Nov. South Island Championship (Timaru). —4th Jan. North Island Championship (Palmerston North).—6th Jan. K.Z. Championships (Wanganui).— 19th Jan. "Wellington Tournament (Lower Hutt). —2nd Feb. Gold and Silver Medals (Hastings).— about Ist March. H.B. Tourney (Hastings).—About Ist March. Intercluli Matches. The weather for each interclub day has so far been all that could be desired, and clubs are ■well forward with their matches. Not only has the full complement been played each Tuesday, but quite a number of pro-dated matches have been played during the remainder of the week. The greens are faster for this time of the year than they have been for many seasons past, and although the playing conditions are excellent the lawns could do with a good soaking. The following are the results of this Sveek's play, the score of the firstmentioned club being first in each instance:— ! A Grade. —Hataitai v. Wellington (1), home 22-26, away 26-12; Hutt v. Haeremai, home 26-24, away 4-26; Eastbourne v. Wellington (2), home 26-23, away 26-10; Kelburn (1) v. Waimarie (1), homo 26-13, away 26-11; Waimarie (2) v.. Kelburn (2), home 15-26, away .16-26. Intermediate Grade.—Woburn v. Kairori, home by default, away 26-17; 2jyall Bay v. Kelburn, home 6-26, away 32-26; Wellington v. Eastbourne, home 26-23, away 26-11; Central v. Hataitai, home 21-26, away 26-13; Island Bay v. Waimarie, home 26-23, away 26-8. B Grade.—Ngaio v. Central, home 26-20, away 13-26; Waimarie v. Ngaloma, home 26-20, away 15-26; Mount Victoria v. Woburn, home 26-21, away 26-23; Eastbourne v. Hataitai, home 18-26, away 14-2(5; Khandallah v. Sea--toun, home 20-26, away 12-26; Island Bay v. Wellington, home 19-26, away 26=21; Karori v. Kelburn, home 8-26, away 26-14. The draw for-next week is as follows: —A Grade: Waimarie (1) v. Kelburn (2); Eastbourne v. Wellington '(1); Kelburn. (1) v. Haeremai; Hatai+ai v. Waimarie (2); Hutt v. Wellington (2). Intermediate Grade.—Lyall Bay<v. Karori; Wellington v. Kelburn; Central v. Eastbourne; Ngaroma v. Mt, Victoria; Island Bay v. Woburn; Hutt v. Waimarie; Hataitai a bye. B Grade.—Ngaroma v. Central; Wo"burn v. Ngaio; Hataitai v. Waimarie; Khandallah v. Mt. Victoria"; Karori v. Seatoun; Wellington v. Island Bay; Kelburn v. Eastbourne. . Hataitai v. Wellington. One of the best interclub games of the day--was that played between Mesdames Thomas and Moeller and Manton and Mitchell. At an early stage of the game Mrs. Thomas took charge, making: a break of 10, and with steady play Mrs. MoeHcr was not long in reaching the stick, giving • the opponents little chance of scoring. This is the'first defeat sustained by the Wellington, players this season, both of •whom.are playing good croquet. Pollock Stars. . 'After a hard-fought battle the challengers, Mesdames Hint and Lewis (Karori), were successful in securing tKe:stars from Mesdames Thomas and Mdeller (Hataitai)* None of the players "was up to form, and at one stige it looked as if the visitors would have an easy win, but Hataitai, by steady play, were successful in playing their clips on the stick and rover •when the Karori team had six points to make. At this stage Hataitai missed a short shot, letting iri Mrs. Flint, who then made rover, pegging out Mrs. Moeller's ball. Mrs.- Thomas had a succession of long shots which she was iinsjiccessful in picking up. The game ended 26-24. Th© Island Bay Club, represented by Mesdames Griffiths and Breeze, . are next on the list of challengers. Association Ferns. The third round for the Ferns was played on the Karon lawns last Monday, the holders, Mesdames Swiney and Bradnock, sen., defeating the challen-' gets, Mesdames. Rogers and Benge (Upper Hutt). All the players were overcautious, which, somewhat lengthened th& game, but eventually the Karori players-drew ahead, the final score ■being ■ 26-17. The next match will be played next IPriday; against the Central Club. M'Kenzie Caps. In the third round for th« M'Kenzie Caps the challengers, Mesdames Small

and Morton (Seatoun) defeated the holders, Mesdaines Steele and M'lntyre (Karori) by 8 points. The next on the list of challengers is the Kelburn Club. Gold Medals. This season the games for the gold and silver medals, presented by the English Croquet Association, are to be played at Hastings at the beginning of March, and it is to be hoped that the number of entries will enable the management to run the tournament on the Yankee principle, the same as last year. The participants in this test are confined to three bisques and under, which means that each player has a strong opponent, and gets a thoroughly first-class game. Last year the gold medal was won by Mr. Gibbs, of Patea, and the silver medal by Mrs. Anstis, of Palmerston North. Ambulance Day. A very successful afternoon was held recently on the lawns of the Wellington Olub, the proceeds of which were in aid of the Wellington Tree Ambulance. There were a number of visitors present, all of whom enjoyed the many competitions and dainty afternoon tea. On behalf of the organisation, Mr. Bolfe, superintendent of the ambulaneo staff, thanked the club for the donation of £6. Each-year members of the Wellington Club have assisted considerably in augmenting-the funds for this worthy cause, and they are to be congratulated on obtaining such creditable results. ■ Wellington Olub. The Boberts Brooches were contested by the .Wellington Club' on Friday last between the holders, Mesdames Koberts and Thornton, and the challengers, Mesdames Caldow and.Crosby. The match resulted in a win for the last two players'by four points. These challenges are played on a handicap basis confined to two hours' play, but as it was found that this arrangement very often leff an unfinished game, it wa» decided to make an alteration by starting at No. 5 hoop, and thus give players a chance of pegging out within' the specified time. • : ■ • . A. E..Pollock Shield. .. / This challenge was played last' week between.Mrs. Billing (4) and.Mrs. Caldow (J), and resulted in a win for the latter, the score being 26-9. A tournament is to be held shortly to decide which pair will represent the club at the forthcoming Wellington tournament in February nest. Rules. Becent information from England indicates that next year the lift shot will probably be abolished. The wrpng ball law (35)-alsb, wants revision. There is also a good deal of controversy over the rover being pegged by a roquet. Opinion on the rule seems to be equally divided. . Another shot which, calls for; consideration is the roquet off a hoop or peg. This' certainly does not seem a deserving shot. Hoop and Roquet. 1. There have been numerous inquiries in connection .with the hoop and.roquet. The opinion prevails that should a^ stranger ball'(i.e., one not already roqueted in the turn) rest against or partly, in the upright of the hoop about to be run, and a ball in running a hoop in order hits it, the players should take croquet returning to the hoop for position. This is entirely wrong. Provided a ball is on the non-playing side of the hoop (it is immaterial whether the ball has been previously roqueted or not), and in the running of the hoop is roqueted the ball in hand coming to rest itself on "the non-playing side, the hoop is run and a roquet made.' Personals. Mesdames Caldow and Henderson intend talcing part in the Manawatu tourney to be held at Palmerston North nextye'ar. . : .'..-' Mrs> Budkin (Lyall Bay) will be paying a visit to Palmeraton. during tourney week. . . Mrs.-. D-avidson (Palmerston North) is at present visiting Mrs. Wellings; Hataitai. ' While playing in an inter-club match at Woburn recently, Mrs. Swiney (Karori) had. to. retire on account of. indisposition. . •