CROQUET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 8, 8 December 1936, Page 2

CROQUET

MANAWATU TOURNAMENT. NEARING FINAL STAGES. Two finals in the annual tournament of the Manawatu Croquet Association were played yesterday afternoon, the closing stages in nearly all the events having been reached. Mrs McCarty beat Mrs Christmas in the C grade championship final, and in the championship doubles Mesdames T. Simpson and Wood were victorious when they played against Mesdames Bryan and McMurray.

In the former game, Mrs McCarty early established a lead, but when she had both clips on the stick Mrs Christmas caught up and at one stage it looked as if she had the game in her hands. In making for the stick Mrs McCarty struck a hoop, but eventually retrieved the position to finish the game.

The final of the championship doubles was an exciting game and evenly contested. Mesdames T. Simpson anil Wood won in a long drawn-out finish against Mesdames Bryan and McMurray when all four clips were on the peg. In the early stages all four players started cautiously, Mrs Simpson eventually hitting out to make a break of seven from the third hoop. In-and-out play followed, Mrs Bryan making a break of five, and Mrs Wood going from two back to the last hoop. With three clips on the stick Mrs McMurray wired herself in position for the last hoop after separating the opponent balls. • Mrs Simpson made for black but missed. Mrs McMurray made her hoop, picked up black and again separated the opponent balls. Mrs Wood lay up to the partner ball, Mrs Bryan separating the balls, but putting herself out. Mrs Simpson lay a perfect rush, and then pegged out. By beating Mis Petric in the final of the_ second life of the open championship, Mrs Morgan won out to the final of the event. However, at one stage Mrs Petrio made a break of six and seemed to be recovering, but lost ground only to fade out again. The game in the handicap doubles between Mrs Colquhoun and Miss McFarlano and Mesdames Bryan and Devonport, which was uncompleted on Saturday, when play ceased, was concluded and resulted in a win for the former. Play was mostly of an in-and-out nature.

Mrs Petrie beat Mrs Wood in the second life of the open championship (semi-final). Mrs Wood baulked at the penultimate and let in Mrs Petrie, who made a break of five. Plav after this was of an in-and-out nature. Mrs Wood made a break of four during this game. Mrs Permain played good croquet when she beat Mrs Christmas in the semi-final of the C grade handicap—the game baing a very nice one. Mrs Christmas baulked at the first hoop, whereupon Mrs Permain made two hoops. In-a.nd-out play 'followed, Mrs Permain getting to the fourth return with her yellow ball and to the second return with her other ball. Mrs Christmas got in a long shot and picked up, after which the game was fairly even. Mrs Permain took a bisque and finished. Further results are:

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. First Life. Semi-final.—Mrs Petrie beat Mrs Colquhoun, 20—16. Second Life. Semi-final.—Mrs Petrie beat Mrs Wood, 26—21. B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP. Semi-final. —Mrs Moxon beat Mrs Gould, 26—8. Final (best of three) unfinished.— Mrs Moxon beat Mrs Oliver. 26—19; Mrs Oliver beat Mrs Moxon, 26—17. C GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP. Final.—Mrs McCarty beat Mrs Christmas, 26—24. CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Final.—Mesdames T. Simpson and Wood beat Mesdames Bryan and McMurray, 26—24. HANDICAP DOUBLES. Semi-final.—Mrs Colquhoun (4J) and Mies McFarlane (8£) beat Mesdames Bryan (6cr.) and Devonport (10), 26—24; Mesdames Simpson (1) and Lee (6) beat Mrs Anderson (6) and Miss Newman (6J), 26—7.