CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1936, Page 21

CROQUET NOTES

By "CONC.ENTRA7S'

COMING TOURNAMENTS. ] South Auckland Championships.— Rotorua (in progress). Southland Association Championships —Invercargill (in progress). Wellington Championships—Wellington (in progress). South Taranaki Championships—Hawera, February 10. Manawatu Championships—Palmerston North, February 11. Otago Championships—Dunedin, 'February 18. Wanganui Championships—Wanganui, February 20. West' Coast Championships—Greymouth, February 24. Southern Hawke's Bay Championships —Dannevirke, February 25. New Zealand Gold and Silver Mallets —Christchurch, March 4. Taranaki Championships—New Plymouth, March 10. English Gold and Silver Medals—New Plymouth—March 19. N.Z. Championships. Open championship won by A. J. Gibbs, Patea. Ladies' championship, won by Mrs. W. E. Caldow, Wellington. Men's championship, won by H. P. Stratton, Hastings. Inter-club Matches. The usual weekly inter-club matches will be suspended until the conclusion of the Wellington tournament. The association trophy events will also recommence at the same time. King Brooches. Miss McKenzie and Mrs. Stonehouse, who have held the King Brooches at the Hutt for some little time, were defeated last week by the representatives from Waimarie Club, Mesdames Corlett and Wright, the score being 26-21. The excellent shooting by Mrs. Corlett was a feature of the game, who with her partner maintained a good lead throughout, at one stage the clips of the challengers being both on four back when the Hutt holders had only made seven points. The next on the list of challengers is the Woburn Club. Association Ferns. The "Ferns" were again played for this week, when Mesdames Rudkin and Liddell again defeated the challengers, oh this occasion the Kelburn Club, represented by Mesdames Todd and Hurst. There was nothing outstanding in the game on account of the heavy condition of the lawns, making break play difficult. "The score ended 26-17 in favour of the holders. Miss Bates was the referee. The next on the list of challengers is the Hataitai Club. Kelburn Club. Tha Kelburn Municipal Club has now concluded both the championship events, handicap doubles, and. the

Yankee singles, with the following results:—A championship: Mrs. O'Donnell (runner-up to be decided). Intermediate champion: Mrs. A. Wilson; runner-up, Mrs. Ilsley. B champion: Mrs. Creeke; runner-up, Mrs. Gibbons. Handicap doubles (entries totalling 32): Winners, Mesdames Esa,m and Wilson; runners-up, Mesdames RofEe and \ Willis. Handicap Yankee singles (A j intermediate and B): A, Mrs. Leadbeater; runner-up, Mrs. Waters. Intermediate: Mrs. Todd; runner-up, Mrs. Fraser. B grade: Mrs. Hannah; runnerup, Mrs. Fowler. N.Z. Championships. These important championships have now been concluded after a very successful tournament held under the able management of Mrs. Mayes, assisted by Mrs. Parkes. The were latterly confined to1 the Manawatu lawns, which, prior to the last day's heavy rain, were very fast, and unfortunately the finals in the open event had to be played on a lawn littered with leaves and showing decided signs of the heavy windstorm which visited Palmerston North during the weekend. The entries were exceptionally large and were got off with all dispatch, despite the fact that the lawns were scattered. The northern greens were playing well, the bowling green being particularly suited to break play, while the Manawatu greens, although extremely keen, were very level. The open event was won by A. J. Gibbs, of Patea, the ladies' championship by Mrs. W. E. Caldow. and the championship doubles by Mrs. Watkins and Mr. A. G. F. Ross. Finals Handicap Doubles. Mesdames Caldow and Duckworth v. Mesdames Bryan and Batchelor. The former had to concede half a bisque to their opponents. The first to get away was Mrs. Duckworth, who was judging the rain-sodden lawn nicely, and in several turns got to four back. Mrs. Bryan then got in, also in several turns placing her clip on four back. In-and-out play followed until Mrs. Duckworth made penultimate and rover, with her partner's clip on penultimate. At this stage Mrs. Bryan took the play and twice attempted to gain position for rover with the object of making the hoop and pegging out her opponent's ball. Mrs. Caldow then had an opportunity, through Mrs. Batchelor breaking at two back to make the last two points and on the opponents' missing '.he shot pegged out 26-18. Finals Championship Doubles. In the final of the championship doubles A. G. F. Ross (Christchurch) and Mrs. Watkins (Hastings) were the first to get going and maintained the lead throughout. Mr. Ross x/ns playing particularly well, hitting in and greatly assisting his partner, who took every advantage of the opportunities. Mesdames" Anstis and Petrie had the balls on two occasions, but did not score more than five points, Mr. Ross finishing in good style. Finals Ladies' Championship. Mrs. Caldow v. Mrs. Brass (Wanganui). Both these players were playing carefully in the finals, which went to two games, both being won by Mrs. Caldow. In the first game Mrs. Caldow commenced the play, making the first point only to balk in the second hoop. Mrs. Brass, making good use of the opportunity, made a perfect round to four back, when Mrs. Caldow picked up .the ,lift, shot..and . followed to the same hoop, wiring at No. 1. In-and-out play continued for some time, when Mrs. Caldow secured a -lead which was

maintained until the end, the score being 26-17. In the second, game Mrs. Caldow shot in with the fourth ball and, collecting the balls, went to four back, wiring at No. 1. Mrs. Brass missed the shot when her opponent made" an all-round break to the peg. With the lift shot Mrs. Brass hit in and played for a rush to No. 1, but Mrs. Caldow hit in and finished, her opponent not getting an opportunity to score. • Open Championship. A. J. Gibbs (Patea) v. Mrs. Thomson ' (Auckland). : Gibbs. was playing his usual care- ■ ful game, being content to make one or ' two hoops at a time. In the first game these tactics were successful, Mrs. Thomson, a naturally courageous player, being prepared to shoot at anything within reasonable distance. Her direction was not always good, and any mistakes she made were promptly turned to account by her opponent. In the first game Mrs. Thomson, after laying out a beautiful break, was unfortunate enough to fail at the second hoop, allowing Gibbs to get in and carry on to four back. The Taranaki player had paved the way to a successful approach to rover, but he failed with a comparatively easy shot to make four back. Mrs. Thomson shot in and made three hoops, but failed for position. Gibbs, with a nice break, negotiated with black all hoops to four back where he peeled his partner's ball. He then succeeded in carrying his black clip to the stick, afterwards laying up in the fourth corner. The Auckland lady missed the lift shot, whereupon Gibbs took charge and finished, 2C-5. In the second game the green was much faster, but the players quickly got the strength of it. Gibbs was the first to get going, and his allround break finished at penultimate. It was a useful start, but Mrs. Thomson then hit in and with a quickly-made break, she also ran to penultimate. In and out play followed, but Gibbs was the first to get an opening, and his allround break finished at the stick. Mrs. Thomson made several valiant attempts to pull the game out of the fire, but her best chance "went west" when she failed with a difficult angle shot after having built up a sound position. Gibbs never let up at any stage, and when the opportunity offered he ran his partner's ball through the last hoop, and continued to the stick to take the second game, 26-12, and the open championship. The following is the list of finalists:— Open Championship.—A. J. Gibbs (Patea); runner-up, Mrs. Thomson (Auckland). Men's Championship.—H. P. Stratton (Hastings); runner-up, F. C. Bryan (Palmerston North).. Ladies' Championship.—Mrs. W. E. Caldow (Wellington); runner-up, Mrs. Brass (Wanganui). Championship Doubles.—A. G. F. Ross (Christchurch) and Mrs. Watkins (Hastings); runners-up, Mesdames Anstis (Palmerston North) and Petrie (Feilding). Handicap Doubles.—Mesdames Caldow (Wellington) and Duckworth (Palmerston North);. runners-up, Mesdames Bryan and Bachelor (Palmerston North). Handicap Singles.—Mrs. F. C. Bryan; (Palmerston North); runner-up, F. C. Bryan. Handicap Singles, No. 2 Section.— Mrs. J. A. Colquhoun. (Palmerston North); Mrs. McGilL. (Auckland). Level Singles.—Mrs. F. L. Williams (Marton); runner-up, Mrs. Meikle (Te Aroha). Wellington Tournament. The sixteenth annual tournament of the Wellington Association is being held on the lawns of the Kelburn, Wellington, Hataitai, Mount Victoria, and Karori Clubs. The entries are large, totalling 210, and under the management of Mrs. Boocock the games are being got off expeditiously. The handicap doubles were played on the first day, when some good play was seen/onthe lawns, which are" in 'excellent con-' dition. Prior to the commencement ;of play Mrs. Austin, president of the Wellington Association, welcomed the visitors from other centres, and also introduced Mr. McCreath a vice-presi-dent of the New Zealand Croquet Council, who officially declared the tournament open. The catering arrangements at the various greens is excellent, and the tournament should" prove one of the most successful yet held by the association. The following is a description of some of the games:— Mesdames Robertson and Collins v. Mesdames Walker and Nicholas.—One of the best games played on the opening day was that between these players, Mrs. Walker being particularly prominent. The long shooting by al players was excellent, while short breaks were registered by all. The former pair had a good lead, when Mrs. Walker, playing well, soon had her clip on rover, playing for a rush for her partner. Mrs. Robertson, however, hit in, end took the opportunity of pegging out Mrs. Nicholas's ball, but Mrs. Walker, with her ball on the balk, hit the peg from a long distance, winning the match, 26-22. Mrs. Billing and Miss Bates v. Mrs. Cadwallader and Mrs. Russell.—At the commencement of the game both the Hataitai players were playing well, Mrs. Russell being conspicuous for her good long shooting, and it was not until the later stages that Miss Bates, getting the strength of the lawn, made a break of six, after which Mrs. Cadwallader peeled her opponent's ball through rover, but failed in the peg out. The Wellington Club pair again got control, but in taking off Miss Bates made a faulty shot, letting in the opponents, who finished a. close game, 26-24. Mesdames Brice and Richardson v. Mesdames O'Brien and Francis.—The Hataitai players had to concede 1-J bisques to the opponents. All four were playing well, particularly Mrs. A. Richardson, who, although only comparatively a beginner, made an excellent break of seven and whose shooting was outstanding. The score was fairly even throughout, and it was not until the final stages that with the use of a bisque Mesdames O'Brien ana Francis finished the game, 26-24. South Auckland Tournament. For the fourth year in succession the South Auckland championships opened at the Government grounds, Rotorua, on Tuesday morning in perfect weather, the opening ceremony being performed by Mrs. Meikle (Te Aroha), president of the centre. A heavy entry of over 100 players will be engaged throughout the next ten days, some of the most prominent being Mrs. Gambrill, Palmerston North, Mesdames Kebblewhite and Hawken, Hamilton, and Mr. A. J. Perm, of Christchurch, and a large contingent from Auckland. Australian Team to Visit England. . The following players have been chosen to visit England in order to compete in the challenge for the MacRobertson Shield, leaving Australia probably in March:—Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Miss Morrison, J. C. Windsor, with E. W. Hunt as manager and emergency. So far it is not known whether these players will be able to visit New Zealand. Personals. Mesdames Whibley and Warnes (Greymouth) are taking part hi the Wellington championships. Mrs. J. Palmer (Christchurch), who has been taking part in the New Zealand championships at Palmerston North, returned south on Tuesday evening. Mr. R. W. McCrealh (Gore), vicepresident of the New Zealand Croquet Council, is spending a few days in Wellington prior to returning home. The sympathy of all croquet players go out to Mrs. Haymenson (Island Bay) in her recent sad bereavement.