CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 150, 22 December 1938, Page 29 (Supplement)

CROQUET NOTES

B» "Cone: COMING TOURNAMENTS. January s.—South Island championships, Ashburton. January si—North Island championships, Auckland. January 19.—New Zealand championships, Palmerston North. January 30. —Southern Hawke's Bay championships, Dannevirke. Febrinry 1. —Canterbury tournament, Ghristchurch. February 6.—South Auckland caaiu pionships. Hamilton. February 7. —Wellingtoi tournament, Lower Hutt. February 13. —South Taranaki championships, Hawera. February 14.—-West, Coast tournament, Greymouth. February 14.—Otago championships, Dunedin. February 16.—South Canterbury championships, Timaru. February 17.—Hawke's Bay championships, Hastings. February 17. —Wanganui championships, Wanganui. February 28.—New Zealand Gold and Silver Mallets, Hastings. March 2.—-Auckland championships, Auckland. March 2.—Taranaki championships, New Plymouth. March 10.—English Gold and Silver Medals, Auckland. GREENS UNFIT FOR PLAY. Because of the weather there has not been a great deal of play on the lawns during the past week. On Tuesday last all matches were postponed. The rain came down in torrents in the early morning and none of the greens was fit for play, even when tha weather moderated about midday. Should this round be played today, the results will appear in next week's column. There will be no matches played next week. Most of the clubs have been celebrating the festive season by holding afternoon parties, all of which have been well patronised by members, but again the weather has upset arrangements and competitions had perforce to be held, indoors. WELLINGTON CLUB. On Saturday afternoon the Wellington Club members spent a happy time in sthe pavilion, where competitions were held and the usual Christmas atmosphere prevailed. There was a large number of members present. They were welcomed by the president, Mrs. Wilson, who also took the opportunity of thanking Mrs. Wise for the gift of a beautifully-decorated Christmas cake, and Mrs. Walsh for supplying ice creams for the afternoon. The table decorations were as usual carried out to perfection. The winners of competitions were Mesdames Wise. King, Manton, and Brice (the lastnamed being a social member). WAIMARIE CLUB. On the same afternoon the Waimarie Club members enjoyed a social function at Riddiford Park, where the spacious pavilion provided ample accommodation for the large number present. The president, Mrs. Savage, made a charming hostess, and kept up the spirit of Christmas in a jovial manner. The Christmas tree v presented a real "party" appearance, while the, tables, laden with dainties, proved that croquet was not the only accomplishment of the Waimarie members. The thanks of the members were expressed through Mrs. Savage to Mr. and Mrs. Vagg, who made and so cleverly decorated the cake, which represented a croquet lawn, complete with hoops, balls, etc. The prizes won during the afternoon were presented at the conclusion of afternoon tea, the winners being Mesdames Bryan, Young, Devonport, Moeller, Hamilton, Wright, Kelly, and Caldow. HATAITAI CLUB. The members of the Hataitai Club recently held a fancy dress afternoon, when each member appeared in fancy dress, many being of the early Victorian period. The'most original costume was worn by Mrs. Russell, who impersonated a "Yorkshire Yokel," while the prize the best costume was won by1 Mrs. Brittain, who made a picturesque "Hiawatha." The second prizes went to Mesdames Cadwallader and Turner, who were dressed as a Chinese mandarin and a grocer respectively. Competitions were carried out on the lawns, the winners being Mesdames Russell, Turner, Brittain, and Miss Wallace. Mrs. Myers made a splendid Father Christmas and did the duties well by handing each member a gift from the well-laden Christmas tree. The president, Mrs. T. G. Cox, presented the members with an artis-tically-decorated Christmas cake. NGAROMA CLUB. On a recent evening a fancy dress dance was held by the Ngaroma Club members in the pavilion. During the evening items were rendered by Mrs. Sargisson and Mrs. Rising, and a happy time was spent by many members. The pavilion was elaborately decorated with streamers and balloons, for which Mr. Holland was responsible, and made a gay setting for the many charming frocks worn by the ladies. Mr. Rus-I sell acted as M.C. During the evening the president of" the club, Mrs. Franks, who, together with Mrs. Rising, was presented with a beautiful bouquet, made a suitable presentation to Mr. Holland for the"'energetic and painstaking way in which he had improved the surroundings to the lawns, and for the enthusiasm he had displayed in the club affairs. The following were prize' winners:—Mr. and Mrs, Kerr (Monte Carlo); M*. Kerr and Mrs. Rising (statue waltz); Miss Margaret Croft (competition winner and lucky number). HALF TEAM MATCHES. The following are the results of half team matches played on Friday:— Seatoun 1 v. Woburn. —Mesdames McGirr and Higgins lost to Mesdames Jamieson and Collins, 23-26. Seatoun 2 v. Karori. —Mesdames Wisely and Page lost to Mesdames Toms and Bradnock, 24-26. Hutt No. 1 defaulted to Mt. Victoria. Hutt No. 2 v. Ngaio.—Mrs. Stonehouse and Miss McKenzie defeated Mesdames McArthur and Gardner, 26-9. Lyall Bay defaulted to Ngaroma. Hataitai v. Uppt.-' Hutt.—Mesdames Russell and Faulkner lost to Mesdames Harper and Greig, 19-26. POLLOC TI STARS. The Island Bay players, Mesdames Winchcomb and Green, have again proved their prowess by defeating on Friday a strong combination from the Waimarie Club, Mesdames Bryan and Moeller. The game was the most exciting yet witnessed in a match for the Stars, the winners proving victorious by the small margin of one point. Tha high wind prevented perfect 'break play, but despite these adverse conditions the game did not last long and the shooting in by both Mrs. Bryan and Mrs. Green was excellent.

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Towards the end of the ruatch, with Mrs. Bryan's clip on the peg and Mrs. Wlnchcomb's on rover, Mesdames Green and Moeller both had to negotiate penultimate. Mrs., Moeller secured the play but failed at penultimate. Mrs. Green, hitting in, made Denultimate, peeled both balls for her

side through rover, and endeavoured to peg out Mrs. Bryan's ball, bu< did not succeed. Mrs. Bryan then ioined up and Mrs. Green, taking the play, cut the rush to the peg, and in endeavouring to peg out missed with the forward ball, going on with her own ball. Mrs. Moeller took a chance and gained position for penultimate from a long distance. She made that hoop and also rover, but in attempt ing to peg out also missed with the front ball and put out her own. Mrs. Winchcomb was left with her ball behind No. 3 hoop, with Mrs, Bryan's between the *irst and last hoops. Nothing daunted, she took careful aim and secured the roquet to win for Island Bay, 26-25. The next on the list of challengers) is the Hutt Club, but the match will . not be played until early in the New Year. ASSOCIATION FERNS. ; On Friday last the N£ aio Ciub were again successful in resisting the challenge, on this occasion from the Ngaroma Club, which was represented by Mesdames A. Miller/anc McKay. The holders, Mesdames Guy and Furness, are a strong comb'nation, both setting out breaks well an« both being excel- . lent shots. On Friday the lawn was heavy after the recent rain and witn a fairly strong wind blowing conditions were not altogether pleasant for play. The Ngaroma pair, who were 1 used to keen lawns, were at a disadvantage. The home team gave their opponents few opportunities to score and both made small breaks, enabling them to secure and keep a good lead, the match ending 26-12. Mrs. Rudkin acted as referee. The next on the list is the Central Club. McKENZIE CUPS. \ ' The Woburn Club this week de--1 faulted to the Seatoun holders, and | the next match will be played as soon as possible after the matches recom- , mence on January 5. 1 NORTH ISLAND TOURNAMENT. The North Island tournament will commence on January 5, and is to be held at Auckland, entries closing on , December 26. The tournament' man- . ager will be Mrs. Keesing, 4 ConstiI tution Hill, Auckland, to whom entries L should be sent. The following is the'list of events; — North Island open championship, North ! Island ladies' championship, North i Island men's championships, North . Island 4 championship doubles, and handicap singles. : The ladies* and men's events are to , be played as a Yankee section play, and the same applies to the handicap singles. Many of the low bisquers expect to take part in this tournament, and some good games should be witnessed on the lawns. ' SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. These championships are being held at Ashburton on January. 5 under the capable management of Mrs. D. Me-' Lennan, Timaru, and it is anticipated that many of the South Island players' will be. taking part. The following is the programme:—South Island open championship, South Island ladies' championship, South Island championship doubles, handicap singles, and handicap doubles.