CROQUET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 March 1926, Page 7

CROQUET.

THE CAMPBELL, CUP

WON BY ELTHAM NO. I

With weather and lawn conditions which could hardly have been improved —warm suns-hiiiej little wind, fasrt accurate turf—the final was played today of the tournament among South Taranaki croquet clubs for the posession of the cup presented by Mrs. J. K. Campbell, of the Hawera Club, the tillalists being Hawera and Eltham No. 1. After a keen and close contest, six points being the aggregate difference, Eltham No. I. won the honour of having the’ l ' name first inscribed on the CU, rhe match was fairly close all through, but. both teams found difficulty at first in making a break. Much o-ood play was seen during the course of the match, which very greatly pleased the spectators. The final stage, when Eltham secured the victory, was greeted with enthusiastic” cheering. The aggregate scores were: Eltham 44, Hnwera 38. , The) cup was then formally presented to the Eltham captain, Mrs Carman, by Mrs. Campbell, to hold until it was taken by a challenging team. . In a very happily worded speecn, Mrs. Campbell said it gave her very great pleasure to present the Eltham team with the cup, and to offer her ,sincerest congratulations. All through the tournament, she added, she had been greatly impressed with the splendid spirit of sociability and the true sporting spirit of ail the players and visiters. She said 'she was very delighted that she was privileged to present the trophy to South Taranaki, for the clubs had all come forward in great style and had shown that they were all keenly interested in the game. She then handed over the cup amid hearty cheers from all gathered round on the lawn. In acknowledging the trophy, Mrs. Carman, captain of the winning team, expressed the pleasure they felt at being able to take part in the tourfiament, and they were naturally pleased to have .been successful. She' congratulated the Hawera Club and the committee organising the tournament on the success they had achieved and the admirable manner in which every arrangement with it had been made. Special mention must be made of the work of the various committees —the tea committee, under Mrs. O. H.. Washer and helpers, the ground committee, the hon. secretary (Mrs Dowling) and all who assisted in running the tournament. All these duties had been exceedingly well done. . . . .The Eltham team, in fact all visiting players, were enthusiastic over the fawns, and said they could hardly have been improved. This) afternoon a friendly match was played between the cup winners, Eltham I. and Hawera 11,