Nearing Final Stages In Croquet Tournament

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 289, 7 December 1936, Page 8

Nearing Final Stages In Croquet Tournament

MRS. BRYANT WINS A GRADE SINGLES

Good progress was maintained in the annual tournament of the Manawatu Croquet Association on Saturday, several events reaching the final stages. The weather was pleasant until about 5.30 p.m. when rain began to fall, but under the expert management of Mrs. S. J. Barkcs, no time had been lost during the day, and only one game was pegged out. Notes on the Play. A good game in the A grade handicap singles was that between Mrs. T. Simpson and Mrs. McMurray in which the former prevailed in an exciting finish. Mrs. Simpson was in first and made a good break to penultimate, and two with her other ball. Mrs. McMurray hit in but missed the shot and’ took a bisque. She rolled to the first hoop, but failed. Mrs. Simpson put her opponent ball through and on next turn Mrs. McMurray made two and Mrs. Simpson then got round with her second ball. Mrs. McMurray hit in and went' to rover with one ball. After in and out play Mrs. Simpson reached rover with both balls. Mrs. McMurray came on again but baulked at rover w T hen Mrs. Simpson was on the stick, the latter in two turns finishing the game.

In the next game of this event Mrs. Simpson went down to Mrs. Bryant, of Manakau, who played a great game to win 2G—23. In the first half of the game there was in and out play, but m the closing stages Mrs. Bryant was really brilliant and gave her opponent no chances, wiring her on most occasions.

Mrs. Bryant continued on her winning way to beat a redoubtable opponent in Mrs. Wood in the final of this event. This game was played at the end of the day when rain was falling and conditions wero decidedly unfavourable. Mrs. Wood hit in and made a break from first to first return, Mrs. Bryant following with a break of seven, the rest of the play being in and out. Although Mrs. Wood managed to put Mrs. Bryant on the stick, tho latter finished out to win 2G—21.

Mrs. Permain played good croquet to beat Miss McFarlane in tho C grade championship, shooting well and using good judgment. Mrs. Hicks played nicely to beat a strong opponent in Mrs. Morgan in the second round of tho open championship (first life). Mrs. Hicks was first in and although Mrs. Morgan got the balls she was unable to get the strength of the lawns. There were no sensational features and Mrs. Hicks won 2G—l6. Mrs. Wood beat her former clubmate, Mrs. Petrie, in the A grade handicap singles, the latter failing to get going. Mrs. Wood, who was shooting well, hit in and made a break of nine with red and then five with yellow, Mrs. Petrie only being able to progress by twos and a three, it being obviously not her day. A well-fought game was that between Mesdames Colquhoun and Wood in the A grade singles. Mrs. Colquhoun had established a good lead and with both balls on rover hit her ball through the wrong side of the hoop. She took her last bisque but failed to get position and Mrs. Wood, making a wonderful recovery, finished an exciting game 26—24. Mrs. Bryan failed to show her usual form playing Mrs. Morgan in the semifinal of tho open championship (second life) which the latter won 2G—l4. Mrs. Bryan failed at the first hoop and with all the balls out gave Mrs. Morgan her opportunity- which she took to make a break to penultimate. Following were Saturday’s results: —

Open Championship. First Life. Second round: Mrs. Hicks beat Mrs. Morgan, 26—1 G. Semi-iinai: Mrs. McAlurray beat Mrs. Hicks, 26—21. Second Life. Semi-final: Mrs. Morgan beat Mrs. Bryan, 2G—l4. B Championship. Second round: Mrs. Aloxon beat Mrs. Bigham, 2G —14; Mrs. Gould beat Mrs. Newman, 2G—l2. Semi-final: Mrs. Moxon beat Mrs. Gould, 2G—B. C Championship. First round: Mrs. Wills beat Mrs. Devonport, 26—22; Mrs. King beat Miss McFarlane, 2G —18. Semi-finais: Mrs. King beat Mrs. Wills, 2G—9; Mrs. McCarty beat Mrs. Houghton, 2G—2O. Handicap Singles. A Grade. Second round: Mrs. Simpson (1) beat Mrs. McMurray (2), 26 —22; Mrs. Wood (1) beat Mrs. Colqulioun (4J), 2G —24. Semi-finals: Mrs. Bryant (3) beat Mrs. Simpson (1), 2G—l3; Mrs. Wood (1) beat Mrs. Petrie (1), 2G—ll. Final: Mrs. Bryant (Manakau) beat Mrs. Wood, 2G —21. B Grade. Semi-final: Mrs. Moxon (74) beat Mrs. Snelling (55), 26—20. C Grade. Second round: Mrs. Permain (104) beat Miss McFarlane (SJ),' 26—13. Draw for To-day.

At Northern, 9 a.m.: Mrs. Wood v. Airs. Petrie; Mrs. Oliver v. Airs. Aloxon; Airs. Christmas v. Airs. Permain.

Championship doubles to follow Saturday’s unfinished game.