CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 26018, 5 February 1947, Page 3

CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIPS

LA ROCHE WINS OPEN TITLE (P.A.)' ' WELLINGTON, Feb. 4: Croquet of a high standard was witnessed by a large crowd of onlookers when C. La Roche beat Miss Claughton in the final of the open championship at the national tournament to-day. La Roche was first to get into play, but, misjudging the strength of the lawn, missed the roquet. . Miss Claughfon overran {he first hoop and parked. Miss Claughton baulked at the second hoop, letting in her opponent. La Roche then went to three back, where ihe missed the shot when Miss Claughton made to four back, La Roche hitting in with a lift shot, and carried his clip to the penultimate. Miss Claughton, hitting in, went from the second hoop to the peg. In a later turn she made the last two hoops and pegged out to win by 8 points. In the second game La Roche, getting play, made a few .points, after which Miss Claughton carried her clip to four back. In the next turn she did not get position for the third hoop, and retired. La Roche hit inland made round to four hack in two turns. La Roche reached four back with a backward ball, and (Miss Claughton made four .back, penultimate and rover, but missed the return roquet, letting in her opponent. La Roclie made his points and pegged out his opponent’s ball. Miss Claughton was able to make 1 point before La Roche finished the win'ner by 3 points. In the game La Roche played perfect croquet, making round breaks.. His opponent had the opportunity to score only 1 point.- Results:— WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. Mrs Gilbert heat Mrs Tingiev, 17-26, 26-16, —■; Mrs Watkins beat Mrs Collins, 26-12, 22-26, 26-15; Mrs McLennan beat Mrs Kirk, 26-11, 23-26,26-10. HANDICAP SINGLES. —Final.— Lieutenant-colonel Saalfeld beat C. La IRoche; 26-17.