CROQUET NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 5

CROQUET NOTES

(By "Concentrate.") CHAMPIONS AT PLAY. The New Zealand croquet championships are now in full swing at Hutt and Petone, and although the weather has been unpleasant at times, good progress is being made under the able management of Mrs. Bbocock, assisted by Mrs. E. MeKerizie. The entries areas large as usual and as the ,lawns are in good condition many excellent games have been witnessed. The open doubles championship has been concluded, Mrs. Watkins and J. Tannock proving .winners, with Mrs. Lowery and Miss Claughton runnersup. The final on Saturday afternoon was watched by a large crowd of spectators, every available seat being taken. At the commencement of the match Miss Claughton made a few points, but after running the third hoop was un: able to get a ball, and in making the attempt left all the balls in the field for Mrs. Watkins. This experienced player made good use of, the position and, playing carefully, went round to penultimate, wiring at the peg. Miss Claughton got in again and made a few more points before Tannock got control, but in attempting a triple peel he balked at the third hoop. He shot in shortly afterwards and again attempted a peel but missed at the sixth hoop when Mrs. Lowery secured the balls, but was unable to score. Tannock hit the long shot and went to the peg, the next turn being taken by Mrs. Watkins, who made a good finish. There have been some excellent games in this event and several have been won by only a small margin. The defeat in the semi-finals of A. J. Gibbs and Mrs. Clark by Mrs. Lowery and Miss Claughton was a surprise, as this strong pair had won last year and were playing well this season. Both Mrs. Lowery and Miss Claughton have been playing steadily, but in the finals the expedience of their opponents was a deeming factor. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. In the open championship event Mrs. Henderson (Wellington) has been proving that in singles she is a formidable opponent. Mrs. Henderson has only had one loss in this event, and that to Mrs. Clark (New Plymouth), who made two all-round breaks, giving Mrs. Henderson only one chance to score. Mrs. Bryan (Waimarie) is also playing to form, and should be in the final play-off. Mrs. Watkins, who can always be relied upon to play steadily and well, has only had one loss, to Mrs. Bartlett, and then only by a margin of two points. It is unfortunate that Mrs. McLeod (last season's woman champion), has had to withdraw from all events owing to indisposition, as she plays a strong open game and is hard to defeat. J. Tannock F. C. Bryan, and R. W. McCreath all look like winners, and at this stage it is difficult to forecast finalists ill' any one event. ' ' MANY CLOSE FINISHES. The handicap events which were introduced into the programme have attracted large entries, and these will be played when lawns are available. The ladies' championship has not advanced sufficiently to predict winners, but neither Mrs. Watkins nor Mrs, Henderson have so far had a loss. The tournament has been remarkable for the number of close finishes, and for the number of games won by the player who had made practically no progress when the opponent has been ready to peg out. From now on the games will be of a very high order, and spectators will be treated to good croquet. . . * The position in the open championship to date is as follows: — SECTION 1. Wins. Losses. A. J. Gibbs .. 4 2 Mrs. GambriU 2 4 Mrs. Pitcaithly •.■.■.'.■. 1 4 VUrs. Tiffen .;. 4 3 Mr. Ogier 1 — Mrs. Nicholson 1 » Mrs. BocJr- ;...-. 3 3 Miss Easher- ............. 3 2 SECTION 2. Wins. Losses. Mrs. Watkins .......... 3 1 F.'--C. Bryan 4 1 Mrs. Bartlett 3 1 Mrs. McLennan ..3 . 3 Mrs. Simpson .. .......... 2 3 Mrs. Hawken 1 2 Mrs. Allan 1 4 SECTION 3. Wins. Losses. R. W. McCreath 5 1 Mrs. Keys 4 2 Mrs. Morgan 3 3 - Mrs. Smith 1 4 Mrs. Wood 3 3 Mrs. Claughton 4. 2 Mrs. Rockell ...........— » Mrs. Mouat \........ 3 3 X SECTION' 4.. Wins. Losses. Mrs. Kibblewhite 2 4 Mrs. Palmer .3 3 Mr. Managh 3 2 Mrs. Cadwallader ..... 3 3 Mrs. MqMurray 3 1 Mrs. Claughton — » Mrs. Bryan » 1 SECTION 5. Wins. Losses. H. A. Perm 4 2 B. McClymont .::.'....-.. 3 3 Mr. Blunt .•.-..•* 3 2 ; ,T. H. Harrison ......... 3 3 Mrs. Johnson .•.•••• " £ Mrs. Lowery ''.i.*..'.'... '••• " 3 ;Mrs. McCreath-■■'.•.•.-. 3 4 W. .Tarvie 5 , 2 SECTION 6. ' Wins. Losses. J. Tannoelc ~ 4. 3 Mrs. Clark 2 3 Mrs. Henderson •> } Mrs. Walker 2. 3 Mrs. Sargisson o - Mrs. Bryant 1 «' Miss Perrin —; * Mr. Mclntyrc •> INTER-CLUB MATCHES. The usual round of inter-club matches will be played after the conclusion of the New Zealand championships, ' which* should lbe finalised some time towards the end of next week. .POINTS OF INTEREST. Several interesting points have occurred during the New Zealand championships which are worth recording. In one instance a player, in sending his ball from the field after pegging out, knocked the other ball which he was about to peg out also. This was given as inadvertence and not as a stroke, as the striker was not in the act of addressing the ball. It is as well to mention here that some players have disregarded the rule that a ball pegged out must be removed from the court immediately: otherwise the opponent may require the stroke immediately following the omission to be replayed. Should this privilege be enforced it may, in some instances, be difficult to peg out this ball, as the distance from the peg may be somewhat longer than usual, and in the strain of having to replay this ball the game may be prolonged or even lost. A point of importance has also occurred where a player after taking off the wrong ball, goes boundary. The rule, as it stands at present, is that there is nothing to cover this position and the ball must be replaced and the correct ball used, but in the remainder of the turn no point can be scored. As this seems as if the playei may benefit on the replay a further ruling on this particular point is being sought from the English Laws Committee. PLAYERS' MEETING. The meeting of players in the Hutt Bowling pavilion was attended by a large number of those interested in the sport, and many points were discussed. I A suggestion for. a variation in the draw for the two-life system was brought forward, sponsored by Mr. Ross, and it will again go before seceretaries of associations for consideration. In this suggested variation the draw for the^rst life is done on the

Bagnall-Wild system and the second draw is made on a "process" prepared by Mr. Ross, and in this process the same player will stand very little chance of having a bye in both lives. Other knotty problems were discussed, and several suggestions for the improvement of the game were put forward for consideration by the executive. . -

A suggestion for uniform dress on the lawns was received with approval.

Mr. McClymont also brought forward for discussion the change in the "lift" shot, and voiced the opinion of many .present that as the rule at present stands it does not appear to have any decided advantages on the old rule of last season. These matters will be fully dealt with by the executive.