CROQUET

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 21

CROQUET

It i* intended to devote «ome space in each Saturday's issue to items of interest to croquet players. The secretaries of the various club* 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. Personal. : Mrs Jelley (Cromwell) and Mrs Black have been visitors to the Watea lawns during the week. Mrs J. McDonald has returned from . a short visit to the Southland' tournament. Bisques. The Otago handicapper has. received word from Mrs Watkins that Mrs Horn’s bisques have been reduced by J; she will now play on 2. Shield Matches. Shield matches resume on Wednesday next at 10 a.m. Senior Grade.—Leith v. Punga, at Punga; Watea v. Opoho, at Opoho. Junior Grade.—First section: Logan Park 11. v. Watea, at Logan Park; Punga I. v. Tninui 11., at Tainui. Second section: Montecillo v. Logan Park I:, at Montecillo; Caversham 11. v. Tainui 1., at Caversham; Leith I. v. St. Clair, at Leith. Saturday’s Matches. . Last week’s results were Opoho (2) beat Dalmore (2), 6-0. To-day’s draw is jOpoho (1) v. Punga. This should he an interesting game. The Opoho team is Messrs Corbet, Cole, Nichol, and J'. Tannock; and Punga’s team Mesdames J. M'Donald, H. J. Dixon, Buckland, and Moodie. Otago Tournament. This event, commencing on Monday, February 19, will be played at Logan Park. Entries close on February 12 with the secretary, Mrs J. M'Donald, St. Glair. The programme consists of nine events, four for A grade, players of oj bisques and under, and four for B grade, 6 bisques and over. A new event that has been added, as a trial, is Noi 5, a combined handicap double, in which the pairs will be one A and one B grade player. There is no restriction to total bisques in this event. Progress in Southland. Croquet has made considerable advance in Invercargill in the last few years. Clubs have improved their lawns and increased . the size of , them, in many cases. The Writer was fortunate, thanks to the courtesy of one of the officials, in being able to see some ot the newer clubs. R ugby.Park,which is quite-a young club, has three very good lawns nicely situated and sheltered from wind, beside two small ones on which beginners learn and practice. Waihopai has three excellent lawns, and a beautiful pavilion. Then there is the Invercargill and South; End. clubs both, with , all the facilities and equipment for first-class croquet. Southland then, like Otago, only requires a long stretch of summer sunshine in the season to be able to place in . the field players equal to any in New Zealand. Dominion Tournament. The following is the full list of the winners of the,titles in the 1934 championships : Open Championship—Captain F. L. Hartnell (Taranaki); runner-up, A. G. F. Ross (Canterbury).

Women’s Championship—-Mrs W. E. Caldow (Wellington); runner-up, Mrs E. Mat!dren (Canterbury). Men’s Championship—A. G. F. Ross (Canterbury) ; runner-up, Captain Hartnell (Taranaki). Championship Doubles—Mrs W. E. Caldow (Wellington) and Captain Hartnell (Taranaki) ; runners-up, Mesdanies E. Maddren and E. A. Smith (Canterbury). Level Singles—Mrs E. Tucker (Auckland) ; runner-up, Mrs A. Mottle (West Coast). Handicap Singles—First division ; Mrs R. H. Gilbert (West Coast) ; run-ner-up, G Hart (South Canterbury). Second division: Mrs E. J. Bassett (Manawatu) ; runner-up, Mrs Sydney Jones (Canterbury). Handicap Doubles—Mesdamcs R. H. Gilbert and D. Gillespie (West Coast), runners-up, Mesdaraes W. N. Walker and Galvin (Wellington). TITLES WELL DISTRIBUTED.

It was noticeable throughout the tournament, perhaps more so than during any other, that the successes were fairly well distributed over both islands. There was good representa-

tion of both the North and .the South Islands, and consequently a good deal of friendly rivalry. ■ North Island players, won the majority of the final .games, but southern players won three titles,, and were runners-up in six finals. • The Southland Tournament. The. Southland croquet tournament opened at Invercargill on Tuesday morning in perfect summer weather. The North End Club’s lawns, which are the headquarters of the tournament, were in perfect condition, and the charming, surroundings of tall trees, shrubs, and the wonderful view of the rose gardens just over a low green hedge have rather the atmosphere of a garden party than the strenuous work of a competitive tourney. The gailycoloured frocking of the competitors added to the beauty of the scene. Mr

A. H. W. Aitkcu, president of the Siouthlaud Croquet Association, welcomed the visitors, and wished them all a very happy time. Ho took the opportunity to introduce Mr R. H. M'Creath to them in a new capacity, that of official referee for Southland. He also complimented the management on the excellent arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of competitors and visitors. Mrs J. M'Donald (secretary of Otago Croquet Association) congratulated Southland on having such glorious weather for the opening of the tourney, and also on the improvement and condition of the lawns. She said she had no need to wish everyone a happy time, because it was impossible to have anything else where Southland people, and particularly croquet players, were the hosts and hostesses. Among the visitors at the opening were Mrs O’Kane (president of Alexandra Croquet Club), Miss Watt (president of Taieri Croquet Clu'b), Mrs Crawford (Riverton), and a large number of Southland supporters of the game. It is interesting to note a new exponent of croquet among the younger players in the person of Mr Norman M'Creath, whose father and

mother have been among the foremost players in Southland for some time. This young player shows great skill and knowledge considering.that he has only been playing for a very short time. He should come very close to winning some of the important events at the tourney. Partnered by Mrs M'Creath. he should give Mr R. W. M'Creath and Mrs J. Horn a good run for the doubles. Mrs Horn, who was a late entrant, is playing up to her usual form, and should uphold the honour of the club.