CROQUET

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 6

CROQUET

OTAGO TOURNAMENT Yesterday afternoon, before a large gallery of spectators, the. level singles was completed and also the 33 grade champion doubles. The chief interest centred in the former match, which was played between Mrs Rankin (LoganPark) and Mrs F. Murray, of Gore (best of three games). These games were well worth watching,-perhaps the best croquet in the tournament. Both' played accurately, all good shots, and laid out their breaks well. Mrs Murray won the first game by a very parrow margin, Mrs Rankin the second with 5 points in her favour. This necessitated a third game, which Mrs Rankin won. Both players have good stance and play easily. ’ Mrs Murray, who is a' Gore player, shows the result of good coaching in the early stages of her croquet career, and should go far. Mrs Rankin is a natural player and has a good match temperament, which will prove an asset when she comes into, play, against Id opponents. In the final of the'B grade cbampiohsEip doubles,' play was disappointing, the Punga pair definitely not playing up to the standard they* had shown in: their earlier matches. Mrs Stockdale and Mrs Harris played steadily and won by, the good margin of 11 points. The semi-final of the B grade handicap singles (section 2), which had to be pegged out' last evening, was _ finished oif this morning, when Mrs Little scored a win from Mrs Harris, who was a worthy opponent. Mrs Little, who is a new player, was the winner of the “0” button last year, and has improved very much this season. She went on immediately in the final of this section, playing against Mrs Stockdale., In. this, game she played almost perfect croquet, with good breaks, and finished up the winner by 11 points. There are now only two events to play off —the final of the B grade championship singles, between Mrs Jelley, of Cromwell, and Mrs F. Murray, Gore (best of three games), and the final of the handicap singles, ' between Mrs Henry (St. Clair) and . Mrs Littlo (Watea). Both should be finished later in the afternoon. Results:— A GRADE. LEVEL SINGLES. ■ —Final.— ’ Mrs Rankin (Logan Park) heat Mrs F. Murray (Gore),- best of three games, 24-26, 26-21, 26-20. B GRADE. CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. (Section 2.) —Pinal.— Mrs F. Murray beat Mrs Harris, 26-8* CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. —Final.— Mesdames Stockdale (Christchurch), and Harris (Waimate) beat Mesdame* Haig and A. M'Donald (Punga), 26-11, HANDICAP SINGLES. (Section 2.) —Semi-final. — Mrs Little beat Mrs Harris, 26-2 L —Final.— Mrs Little beat Mrs Stockdale, 26-15,