CROQUET CHAMPIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21933, 30 January 1946, Page 8

CROQUET CHAMPIONS

YOUTH WINS OPEN TITLE SUPERB EXHIBITION . p A TIMAUU, Jail. 30. One of tlm outstanding features of the 1946 Dominion croquet tournament, which mishcu yesterday, was the success oL the 20->eai-ola Eastbourne player Ashley Keenan. who won the men’s and open singles titles. His long shooting took him to the finals ami even experienced past champions were unable to better his play. Mrs. G. McLeod. Gore, is the new women s Ch Heenan played Mrs. C. Watkins, Hastings, in tile open championship. He made a good break to the penultimate but failed with th_ second hall and the Hastings player was unlucky to stick in a rover allowing Keenan to take the game 2G —19. In the second game Mrs. Watkins appeared to strike form with a period shot, took the lour back hoop from an awkward angle and went on to win by four points. Mrs. Watkins was at four hack in the final game when Heenan attempted a double peel and succeeded in peeling the penultimate and after Mrs. Watkins missed a long shot from a lift, made his last hoop and pegged out. Mrs. McLeod . defeated Mrs. J. Palmer. Christchurch, in the final of the women s singles. There was a lot of in and out play iu the first game, Mrs. Palmer gaining an advantage towards the end. Both played carefully in the next game. Mrs. Palmer held a narrow lead until Mrs. McLeod look her black ball to rover and second ball to two back. Mrs. Palmer played carefully and managed to win the game. Mrs. McLeod made an all round break in the third game. Mrs. Palmer went to the boundary- and Mrs. McLeod reeled a rover and pegged. Results: Open Championship.—Keenan heat Mrs. Watkins, 26—19, 22—26, 26—11. Women’s Singles.—Mrs. McLeod beat Mrs. Palmer, 26—24. 17—26, 26—10,