CROQUET

Evening Star, Issue 20688, 10 January 1931, Page 20

CROQUET

It is intended to devote some space in each Saturday's issue to items of interest to croquet players. The secretaries of the various clubs are asked to send in notes to “ Diana ” not later than. Wednesday in each week. Correspondence is invited and inquiries as to fine points of the game or other matter* connected with croquet will be answered as far as possible. PERSONAL. Airs R. APNaughton (St. Clair Club) has returned from a trip abroad. Airs Quinn (Invercargill Club) has returned from a two years’ tour. While in England she had some excellent games, where she found that a letter of introduction from the president of the New Zealand Council gave her the entree to the best English clubs, and sho played at both Roeharapton and Ranolagh. The English Council give all oversea players 2| extra bisques, so with Gi bisques in her favour sire was able to hold her own with the first-class players at Home. Sho also attended a tournament at Hyeres, in the South of France, and quite upheld the credit of Now Zealand croquet. Aliss Steel’s successes this season include a first in the English women’s championship, and the women’s gold medal, a. second in the champion cup, and third in the English open championship, as well as four other cups in county play. The Southland Croquet Association has arranged a party on Saturday evening in the Gore AVomen’s Club for all competitors, also a drive round the environs of Gore on, Sunday. ALTERED RULES. In England during the winter session Law 44 (optional lift in level play) will again be reconsidered with a view to possible amendment. WRONG BALL PLAY. Another law (135, wyong ball play) will also b 6 by the council, and many and varied are tho opinions on it, Tho following remarks by H. C. Hicks, the present champion

of England, are interesting. “ I would like to point out that according to the etiquette as given down in the C.A. Year Book, under the heading of ‘ Interruption of Adversary,’ it lays down that a player should not draw his adversary’s attention to the fact that he is about to make an error in play. ] For one very much dislike being warned by my opponent, if he sees I am about to make an error, and in no circumstances do I feel justified in warning him, if I see bo is about to do likewise. lam entirely of the opinion that the penalty for playing the wrong ball, should be immediate cessation of the turn, and next; year .1 bopo that this will bo ’the ruling.” M. Keith Rollo, another prominent English player,' also refers to Law .‘ls in a letter to the ‘English Gazette,’ and says: “There are so many different opinions us regards ‘ tolling ’ and ‘ not telling ’ that it is diigli time that a law was passed making it clearly understood that the 1 out-player ' flfall not, under penalty of losing the game, make any remark to the opponent, who is about to make the mistake. .This would at onco remove any misunderstanding or iiuunplea.santness in the future. It should not come under the rules of etiquette, as most people have their own set .of rules regarding this.”

SOUTH ISLAND TOURNEY Preparations for tho South Island croquet championships were moved a step - further on Tuesday, when the manager, Mrs Manhire, and tho committee of tho Punga Club (on whose lawns tho greater part of tho tourney will ho played) mot to discuss ways and means. Among other things, it was decided to furnish a light luncheon as well as morning and afternoon tea each day at a small cost, intending competitors are reminded that tho closing day for entries is January 27, and that all entries are to bo sent to Mrs Man-, hire, who will also he glad to give any information relative to tho tournament.

LONG BISQUEES. Hints to long .bisquers by Mr R. Leetham Jones, editor of the 1 English Croquette Gazette’; “For roquets, short or long, remember two golden rules —(1) Keep as still as possible throughout the stroke; sufficient movement of the arms is, of course, essential, but there should he no movement whatever of feet, body, shoulders, or head. If it seems natural for the eyes to .follow the course of the stroke, this can be done without raising the head after the ball has been hit. Stroke your own ball in its exact centre with the centre of the face of your mallet and follow well through. Even with the longest of shots you should be able to remain in perfect poise at the finish of the stroke. (2) Swing slowly back, the slower your backward swing the better will your aim be controlled. Some experts swing back very little indeed, their shorter roquets being scarcely more than pokes. On fast lawns very little swing-back is necessary. In extent curtail the backward swing to the minimum consistent with the strengh of shot required; in pace you can hardly reduce it too much. Make up your mind that all roquets are easy, since confidence usually hits them; but don’t forget these two golden rules—keep still and swing slowly, very slowly, back!”

SOUTHLAND TOURNEY AT GORE. Fino but windy weather prevailed on Wednesday for the opening of the Suthland croquet tournament on the Gore Club’s lawns. The grounds were in excellent order, with a fast surface, this having received much attention and preparation. The surroundings are very artistic and well sheltered, and have occasioned much favourable comment from visitors,. The ground is one of the largest in New Zealand. This, was the first occasion on which the tournament had been held at .Gore, and record entries were received. The officials running the tournament were: Tournament manager, Mrs S. F. Curie (Invercargill) ; assistant manager, Mr A. H. W. Aitken (Gore); referee, Mrs T. M. Macdonald (Invercargill); advisor, Mrs J, T. Wilson (Invercargill). Mrs F. S. Graham (Gore) kindly undertook the morning and afternoon tea arrangements. ; A welcome to the visitors was extended by Mr A. H. W. Aitken, president of the Southland Croquet Association, who in the course of a few happy remarks expressed the hope that all would enjoy themselves to the utmost. This was the first occasion on which a tournament had been held at Gore, and Mrs Pettigrew, president of the Gore

Club, and her executive had done much to ensure i s success. He was very pleased with the increased entries, among whom were a number of champions and ex-champions, notably Mrs Corbett (Otago champion), Mrs G. M'Leod (Gore, Southland champion), Mrs Horn (ex-champion of Otago), and Mr and Mrs E. W. M’Crcath (Gore). The presence of’ these competitors would ensure a high standard of play and keen contests. In declaring the. tournament opened he trusted that all would derive pleasure as well as a measure of success from the week of play. Results to hand to Friday evening, as far as Otago competitors are concerned, were as follow : Mrs J. M'Donald and Mr Osborn out of all events* Mr Nicol, still in the handicap doubles with Mrs Corbett, having reached the semi-finals, which were then being played. Mrs Horn and Mrs Corbett, still in all events. Mrs Horn was playing very well. Mrs Corbet was also playing vpiy well, and had scored some thrilling wins.