CROQUET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 January 1927, Page 6

CROQUET.

SOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION,

Last year croquet interests were well kept in the foreground in H.v wera, where a successful and useful season was the experience of the local clubs. The cause of croquet was undoubtedlv much advanced. _ The holding of the- Taranaki chanv pi on ships gave a very useful fillip to the game, and afforded people of the district an opportunity of seeing croquet- of a high order. It was altogether interesting. The handsome tronhies given by Mrs J. E. Campbell (Hawera) and Mrs W. McL’Dowie (Matapu), both members of the Hawera Club, created a lively interest in the game, and brought together players from ot-hor clubs to meet those of Hawera. That is the way to foster and develop the game. Now a distinct advance has been made by the formation of an association, with headquarters at Hawera, for South Taranaki. Ten clubs will be affiliated, and the first meeting no doubt will be held at an early date. The formation has been definitely sanctioned hy the Dominion Council. This is certainly a good move, and if a tourney can be arranged and a number of good outside -players encouraged to come the_ result will be very valuable in the interests of the game. CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS. It was resolved at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Council that the 1928 Dominion championships bo allotted to Palmerston North. Auckland, Christchurch, and New Plymouth nil giving way to the former centre. The North Island championships for 1928 were allocated to Wanganui, the only applicant.

DOMINION TOURNEY. LOCAL PLAYERS COMPETING. Several players from this .district are competing in the various events, while other players well known in South Taranaki are present. In the first round of the championship singles, Miss Power was beaten by Mrs Glass (Dannevirke), and in the second round Mrs Glenny (Patea) beat Mi's Stone (Wellington) 26—17. In the second draw, Airs Jarvie (formerly of Hawera) beat Miss Lempfert (Wellington) 26 —24. In the handicaps. A .section, first round, Miss Power (Hawera) 4 defeated Airs ltoake (Wanganui) 4, 26- —22, but she went clown to a Wellington player in the next round. Airs Dowling (Hawera) was beaten bv Airs Gambrjll (Palmerston N.); Creed-Meredith (Wanganui), A, heat Airs Lowry (Wellington) 2J, 26—18. In the B section. Airs Horner (Patea), A. won from Airs Rowles (Hawera), 6, 26—9. In the Handicap Doubles, fourth roulid. Airs Smith (Christchurch) and Creed-Aleredith (Wanganui), j, beat Mesdamos Brightliiig and Baldown (Wellington), 26 —18. Airs and Mr Horner and Airs Dowling and Miss Power went down bv narrow margins in the first and second rounds. Reportino- the game played by Air and Airs Horner, the Dominion critic said: “Horner pegged Alias Chambers out when 'Airs Horner had three hoops to make. Aliss Afaddren won by careiul play. Airs Horner advanced unti. the Patea players were both rovers, and laid to peg out. The Christchurch lady, who had only half a ball in view, got in a splendid shoe, made tno last hoop and pegged out, after a game lasting four hours.”

Handicap Singles. A section. First round.—E. Horner (Patea), 3) . beat Airs 'Stone (Wellington), 2,26 —2; Airs Horner (Patea), 3-£, won from Airs Kibblewhite (Hamilton). 21. 26 —15: Airs Horner also beat Airs Alason (Shannon), 26—13. Airs Rowles (Hawera) beat Mrs Cook (Wellington) 26—17. In the Handicap Singles play in the match between Creed-Areredith. and Caughley, the former playing on a handicap of A. arid the latter on J, was particularly keen. The AVanganui champion apparently displayed some of the form he showed at Hawera, for the critic- says:—‘Jn the second turn Creed Meredith made a break of seven. Caughley followed with five, and then failed. His opponent, playing a tactical game, scored ten points and then drew ahead and won by sixteen. The tactics in. this game were of much interest to the spectators, each player not conceding the oilier a. particle- of ground. Caughev baulked at the hoops and let his opponent in, and the game soon concluded.”