CROQUET

Evening Star, Issue 22276, 29 February 1936, Page 26

CROQUET

It is intended to devote some space in each Saturday’s issue during the playing season to items of interest to croquet players. Secretaries of clubs are asked to send in items of interest to Diana not later than Thursday in each week. Correspondence is invited, and inquiries as to the points of the game or other matters connected with croquet will be answered as far as possible. Shield Matches. Draw for next Tuesday:— ■ Senior Shield.—Punga v. Leith, at Punga. ' .junior Shield.; —Mortecillo v. Taieri, at Taieri; Leith v. Opoho, at Leith; St. Clair v. Logan’ Park, at Logan Park;, Watea v. Tainui, at Watea. Fern Matches, Punga is meeting Opoho this afternoon on the association lawns. On this match hangs the fate of the “ Ferns ” for 1936. Montecillo is leading with 4 matches and 16 games. Opoho has won 11 games and has to-day’s wins to add, so that Opoho will have, to carry off all 6 games today to wip the Fenfs. Watea Club. At the honorary members’ tea day on the Watea lawns this afternoon, 1 the opportunity was, taken to farewell one or the club members—Mrs Blackmorc,' who leaves shortly on a visit to England. The pavilion was gaily decorated with bowls of French marigolds and a posy of the same flowers was presented to the guest of honour. Personal. Miss Black, president, and Mrs J. Davis, who will leave for England next week, were tendered a farewell afternoon by their club mates at Montecillo. The pavilion was decorated with a profusion of autumn flowers, and after tea had been served the vicepresident (Miss Russell) wished the travellers a very happy holiday and asked them each to accept a small gift from their fellow members, together with their best wishes. Miss Black thanked the members for their kindly wishes, and said she and her sister, during their tour, would not forget their friends at the Montecillo Club. Otago Central Tournament. This tournament is the last event for the season and will commence at Alexandra on April 10. The programme includes four events for players of five and a-half bisques and under, and four events for six bisques and over. Entries close with the manager, Mrs M. A. O’Kane, Box 4 Alexandra, on Thursday, April 2. This Easter tournament is always very popular with players, for Autumn in Otago Central is the most lovely time of the year. Competitors are advised to make their arrangements for accommodation immediately, as the bookings are already heavy.

Otago Tournament. Tlie last event in the tournament was played off yesterday afternoon, when Mrs Campbell beat Mrs Myles in the B grade handicap singles, the score being 26-20. The trophies were presented by the president of the Otago Association, Mrs A. S. Balgliesh, at the conclusion of this event.

In spite of very unfavourable weather conditions in the early stages, the tournament, under the management of Mrs Dalgliesh, with Mrs .1. Nisbet as assistant, has been a very successful one, and some excellent croquet has been witnessed. The games played in the semi-finals and finals of the championship were thoroughly enjoyed by the large number of onlookers. The catering, always an important part of the tournament, was in the very capable hands of Mesdames Cornish and White, and went a long way towards the general success. Jt is no easy matter to arrange for lunches and teas for an indefinite number of players and onlookers, especially when the weather was playing such tricks; but nothing seems to daunt these veterans, and a hot cup of tea or a dainty lunch was ready at any hour it was asked for. '■

The proceedings closed with three hearty cheers for the manager.