CROQUET

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 14

CROQUET

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS Ideal weather conditions yesterday saw the tournament a stage further on, but, owing to the same players being engaged in all the “ A ” events, the tournament is not likely to finish until Friday. The “A ” <jrade handicap doubles were completed yesterday afternoon, the trophy for this event going to the Gore pair (Mesdames Pettigi'ew and Gerken), who are a perfect croquet combination, and have played High grade croquet throughout the tourney. They had a well-deserved win from the strong Opoho pair (Mrs Miller and J. Tannock) in the final game. G. Hart had a strenuous day yesterday, playing four championship matches. His play is always worth watching, his particular shinty being his “ cut ” roquets, when he seems to put his ball just wherever he chooses. The “B” Grade-Championship Cup goes to Mrs Richards, of Timaru, who Has played consistently good croquet right throughout the tournament. She has already played eighteen games. Mesdames Pettigrew and Gerken again proved the winners this morning in the “A ” grade championship doubles, against Mrs Corbett and G. Hart. The game was not a 'thrilling one to watch, no really long breaks being made. All players had in turn golden opportunities, which they failed to make good use of. This morning saw G. .Hart off his game for the first time this tournament, and he was only on two back, when the other three had reached rover hoops. The Gore pair peeled both penultimate and rover hoops, and went out the winners by eight points. The final game of the first life in the championship singles provided one of the most spectacular games, s'hen R. W. M'Creatn proved the winner from J, Tannock. In the beginning of the game, ,J. Tannock made a perfect break, going to rover hoop This was his undoing with a player of M'Creath’s calibre, who went from the third hoop to the peg and pegged Tannock’s ball out. The nest stage of the game was up-hill work for the Opoho player, who could only make a hoop at a time with his solo ball. However, he reached 2 back, M'Creath in the meantime going to the penultimate. Here the Gore player’s experience and well-thought out tactics camo to his aid. and he wired his two balls again and again from Tannock, until from a perfect rush he made the last two hoops, and ran one ball on to the peg. Tannock missed a long roquet, and M'Creath pegged out 26-21. Tannock played a plucky game against long odds, hut was no match for the superior tactics of the Southland player. ResultsA GRADE. CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. —First Life, Third Round. — G. Hart beat Mrs Corbett, 26-14. —Semi-finals.— J. Tannock beat Mrs Millin, 26-2. R. W. M'Creath beat G. Hart, 26-14. : FINAL. R. W. M'Creath beat J. Tannock, 26-21. —Second Life, Second Round. — G. Hart beat Mrs Cole, 26-4. -—Third Round.~ J, Tannock beat Mrs Lee, 26-15. HANDICAP SINGLES. —Third Round.— Mrs Millin beat Mrs Gerken, 26-19. —Fourth Round. — J. Tannock beat Mrs Forrester, 26-14 CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. —Final.— Mesdames Pettigrew and Gerken (Gore) beat Mrs Corbett (Opoho) and G. Hart (Timaru), 26-18. HANDICAP DOUBLES. —Final.— Mesdames- Pettigrew and Gerken (Gore) beat Mrs Millin and J. Tannock (Opoho), 26-15. B GRADE. CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. -Semi-final.— Mrs Richards beat Mrs Robertson, 26-23. —Final— Mrs- Richards (Timaru) beat Mrs Myles (Punga), 26-18. HANDICAP SINGLES, —Semi-final.— Mrs Here beat Mrs Sutton, 26-24; Mrs Richards beat Mrs Robertson, 26-20. The final of this match was in progress when we went to press.