CROQUET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 9 December 1936, Page 2

CROQUET

MANAWATU TOURNAMENT ENDS. MRS MORGAN OPEN CHAMPION. The annual tournament of the Manawatu Croquet Association concluded on the Northern Club’s greens, yesterday. It has proved to be one of the biggest held by the association so far, and was successful from every point of view. The tournament manager, Mrs S. J. Parke-s, carried out her duties in a most capable manner, and thanks are due to her, the referees, and others who assisted. The greens were fast and in beautiful order, and the weather fine but windy. Mesdames T. Simpson and Lee proved the winners of the handicap doubles, in which they met Mrs Colquhoun and Miss McFarlane in the final. The former pair won the toss, and Mrs Simpson baulked at the first hoop, but Miss McFarlane missed hitting in. Mrs Simpson then made her first hoop, but failed at the second. In-and-out play followed, Mrs Simpson’s yellow ball being at the sixth, and Mrs Colqulioun and Miss McFarlane making several hoops.. Mrs Lee got to the third hoop and in-and-out play brought Mrs Colquhoun’s blue ball on three back and her partner on No. 4. Mrs Simpson got to rover and Mrs Lee to penultimate. Mrs Lee, hitting in, went to the stick. Mrs Colquhoun hit but did not score, whereupon Mrs Simpson made her last hoop arid pegged out. Mrs Simpson and Mrs Lee thus finished 26—11.

Tlie best match of the. day was tho final of tho open championship, when Mrs Morgan beat Mrs Petrie. After in-and-out play until half-way in tho first game, Mrs Morgan made a break of seven and established a lead, eventually winning, 26—17. In the second game, in which Airs Petrie maintained tho lead in tho early stages, there were no big breaks. Mrs Morgan passed Mrs Petrie and seemed to have the match in her hands. However, Airs Petrie did not let up, although not showing her true foa-m, and after really hard play took the game 26—22. The last game was Airs Alorgan’s from tho start. Airs Alorgan lias played beautiful croquet during the tournament and well deserved lier triumph over Airs Petrie, tho lower handicap player on the day. A feature of the tournament has been tho good showing of the B and C players. At a suitable opportunity, Mrs W. J. Robertson, president of the Alanawatu Croquet Association, presented tlio prizes. She commended the players for the manner in which they had carried through their games and thanked Airs Parkes for her efficient management of the tournament. She expressed the hope that Airs Parkes would be spared to carry through many more tournaments. She also thanked the referees, the greenkeepers, Messrs Lynch and Foster, and all others who assisted. Cheers were called for Airs Parkes.

In returning thanks, Airs Parkes assured the gathering of her pleasure in the work and lier appreciation of the generous response to every appeal. It had been a big tournament, but the happy atmosphere prevailing had lightened her duties considerably. Mrs Parkes then called for cheers for the president. Os lielialf of the committeo of the croquet section of Northern Club, Airs Bryan expressed gratitude to the nonplayers, headed by Alesdames Garner and Boyne, who had attended to the refreshments and made it possible to giro a donation to tlio association at the same time. The following were tho successful competitors:— Open championship (New Zealand Croquet Council Cup).—Mrs Alorgan; runner-up, Airs Petrie. B championship (Radford Cup).— Mrs Oliver; runner-up, Airs Aloxon. O championship (Association Oup). —Airs AlcOarty; runner-up, Airs King. Champion doubles (rose bowl). — Alesdames T. Simpson and L. Wood; runners-up, Alesdames Bryan and McAlurray (holders). Handicap doubles.—Alesdames Simpson and Lee; runners-up, Airs Colquhoun and Aliss AIcF arlano. A grade handicap singles.—Airs Bryant : runner-up, Airs Wood. B grade handicap singles.—Airs Aloxon; runner-up, Aliss Read O grade handicap singles.--Airs Permain; runner-up, Mrs Alills. Tho final results were:— B GRADE HANDICAP SINGLES. Final.—Airs Aloxon (7-3) beat Aliss Read, 26—23. HANDICAP DOUBLES. Final —Alesdames T. Simpson (1) and Leo (6) beat Airs Colquhoun *(43) and Miss AlcFarlane (83), 26 11 ' OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. First Life. Airs Petrie beat Mrs AlcAlurray, 26—16. , , „ Final (best of three games).—Airs Morgan beat Airs Petrie, 26—17, 22 26, 26—7. C GRADE HANDICAP. Final. —Airs Permain (103) beat Airs Alills (93), 26—19. B GRADE CHAAIPIONSHIP. Final (best of three).—Airs Oliver beat Airs Aloxon, 19—26, 26—17, 26 18.