CROQUET

Evening Star, Issue 20980, 19 December 1931, Page 24

CROQUET

It is intended to devote some space is 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 matters connected with croquet will be answered as far as possible. TOURNAMENT DATES. December 26.—Canterbury, at Christchurch. January 4. —South Island championships, at Tiraaru. January 6. —North Island championships, Palmerston North. January 19.—New Zealand championships, Wanganui. March 1. —Otago championships, at Punga. Personal. Mrs Mtmro (Leith) and Mrs Benzoni (Punga) have decided to attend the South Island championships at Timaru, Visiting Teams. A team of six players from Caversham visited the Leith Lawns on Tuesday, when a friendly competition was arranged between the two clubs, and resulted in both winning an equal number of games. The day was beautifully fine, and the outing was very enjoyable. These friendly matches between clubs are an excellent idea, and tend to raise the standard of play all round. N.Z. Council Tournaments. The New Zealand Council has issued a programme of its official tournaments, which include the South Island championship at Timaru, the North Island at Palmerston North, the dominion championships at Wanganui, and the gold and silver medals at Hastings. ° The conditions attached to the latter differ somewhat from those included in the ‘ Croquet Annual,’ as there is no restriction on the bisques in the ‘ Animal,’ but in the leaflet issued’ by the council the conditions read that the event is “ open to New Zealand associates with New Zealand official handicap of pins 3 bisques at the time of closing of entries.” Reading the conditions as set out, it appears to one that only players of plus 3 bisques are eligible, the omission of tho words “or less” being a serious error, and one likely to cause a multitude of inquiries and inconvenience. Shield Matches. In the final of the senior matches between Opoho and St, Clair, Opoho won by a good margin of 6-3, the two top players for Opoho playing remarkably good croquet. The game between Mrs Corbet (Opoho) and Mrs Christopher (St. Clair) lasted only half an hour, and afforded the spectators, quite spectacular croquet. Mrs .Corbet got m with a long shot and made half _ tho round with yellow, then Mrs Christopher got in, made the hoop, and missing a short shot, lot Mrs Corbet in, who made the whole round with red. The St. Chur player made a few more hoops, then Mrs Corbet picked up a long shot and went to peg with yellow, lay up for red, and next shot pegged out. Mrs Corbet gave her opponent very few chances, and made an excellent finish to a short, snappy game. In the game between Mr Nichol, (Opoho) and Mrs Halliday (St. Clair) the latter led well at the beginning of the game, then Mr Nichol gradually caught up and got to 4 back with yellow. Mrs Halliday went to last hoop with black, and in lying up for blue, croquetted her opponent’s ball from a long shot through 4 back, thus missing tho lift. In her next shot Mrs Halhday got to tho peg with blue, and stuck with black in last hoop, letting Mr Nichol in, who got to peg with yellow, and lay up for red. Mrs Halliday missed a long shot, and the Opoho player made Ids last hoop, but went boundary. Mrs Halliday made her last hoop, and all balls were on the peg. Mrs Halliday at this critical point missed a short shot, and Mr Nichol got in and pegged out, finishing a most interesting game with only two points to spare. These two dubs will now have to play off to decide tho runner-up for the shield. „ „ , The scores were as follow (Opoho names first) Doubles : Mrs Corbet and Mr Nichol 26, Mrs Christopher and Mrs Speight 5; Mrs Watson and Mrs Millm 26, Mrs Halliday and Mrs Anderson 22; Mr Corbet and Mr Tannock 26, Mrs White and Mrs Al’Nanghton 21. Singles: Mrs Corbet 26, Mrs Christopher 7; Mr Nichol 26, Mrs Halliday 24 - Mrs Watson 10, Mrs Anderson 26; Mrs Millin 16, Mrs White 26; Mr Corbet 26, Mrs Speight 18; Mr lannoek 13, Mrs M’Nanghton 26. Dumb Croquet. A novel idea was introduced into a croquet gymkhana held in England recently. It was called “ dumb croquet, and every time a player spoke to her opponent, the latter had the option or either compelling her to pay a small fine into tho club funds, or forcing her to place her clip back to the previous hoop, and thus lose a point. Several of tho players, when on tho rover hoop, preferred to pay the fine rather than lose the hoop. The game was played on the six hoop and peg principle. It the idea were introduced into New Zealand some players would never win. a game, and could easily lose a small fortune, no matter how tiny the _ fine might be, owing to their conversational powers.

Personal. Mrs Cox, proprietress of the Gardens Tea Kiosk, entertained the members of the Opoho Croquet Club at a progressive euchre party on Wednesday evening. Practically every member of tho club was present, and thoroughly enjoyed the lure of the progressive euchre tables. A dainty supper was served, after which the secretary of the club, in a neat speech, thanked Mrs Cox and her daughters for their very kind action, which was thoroughly appreciated by the club members, and also said how extremely fortunate the club was to be situated beside one of the most picturesque tea rooms in the dominion. The tea room was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowers in varying shades of gold and orange. Junior Shield Matches. The match, Caversham v. Balclutha, which was postponed owing to weather conditions, was played at Balclutha on Wednesday last. The following is the result (Balclutha names first). Doubles—-Mrs Lattimer and Mrs Knox 26, Mrs Bell and Mrs_ Dempster 18; Miss Dallas and Mrs Reid 26, Mrs Graham and Mrs Will 22; Mrs Buchanan and Mrs, Cameron 24, Mrs Archer and Airs Newson 26. Singles—Mrs Lattimer 26, Mrs Ball 14; Airs Knox 26, Airs Graham 15; Miss Dallas 26, Mrs Archer 21; Airs Buchanan 26, Airs Newson 21; Airs Cameron 26, Airs Dempster 10; Airs Reid 15, Airs Will 9 (game unfinished). Balclutha, 7 games ; Caversham, 1 game (one game unfinished).