Successful Tournament Brought to a Close

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 6

Successful Tournament Brought to a Close

CROQUET CHAMPIONS. DISCLOSED.

The biggest tournament in the history of the Manawatu Croquet Association was brought to a close yesterday afternoon at Northern greens with a general exchange of felicitations. A feature of the tournament has been the good showing of tho B' and C players who played remarkably well, finishing their games smartly and generally showing keen enthusiasm. Much credit is due to Mrs. S. J. Parkcs, tournament manager, for her inspired control. As one player put it, “she has the knack of getting what sho requires done in the nicest way" to the general satisfaction of all. Notes on the Play.

The wind was tricky yesterday making it almost impossible for good breaks to be registered. However, in the final of the handicap doubles between Mesdames Simpson and Leo and Mrs. Colquhoun and Miss McFarlane, Mrs. Simpson was tho dominating player and made a break of 11 with three balls. There was little else to chronicle in this game, Mrs. Lee only managing a break of four and two threes. Mrs. ColquhouL played some nice shots but the winning pair gave Mrs. Colquhoun and Miss McFarlane little chance.

Mrs. Moxon, who has been playing very consistently throughout tho tournament, started well in the final of the B championship against Mrs. Oliver, winning the first game 26—19, both contestants playing steadily. The second game was Mis. Oliver’s all the way which she won 26 —17 and continuing in form in the morning annexed the winning game 26—8, shooting well and concluding the game with a nice shot to the peg. The final of the open championship between Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Petrie, went the full length and was concluded almost in the dark, Mrs. Morgan gaining a meritorious win in the best match of tho day. In tho first game which was even going until half way through with in and out play Mrs. Morgan timu making a break of seven to establish a good lead, eventually winning 26—17. In the second game in which Mrs. Petrie maintained the 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, Mrs. Petrie did not let up although not showing her true form and after really hard play took tho game 26—22. The last game was Mrs. Morgan’s from tho start and she was early in to make a break of nine only to baulk in the lift hoop. Mrs. Petrie hit in and after laying the balls nicely failed to score. Mrs. Morgan picked a beautiful long shot and made an allround break. Mrs. Petrie picked up a nice long shot and made seven points before Mrs. Morgan hit again to finish with a fine rush to the peg. Mrs. Morgan has played beautiful croquet during the tournament and well deserved her triumph over Mrs. Petrie, the lower handicap player on the day. The Prize Giving. During an interlude in play the prizes were presented to the successful competitors by Mrs. W. J. Robertson, president of the Manawatu Croquet Association. Mrs. Robertson voiced her pleasure in the occasion and commended the players for the manner in which they had carried through their games and offering no complaints despite the fact that the weather was not always favourable. On behalf of the association Mrs. Robertson thanked Mr 3. Parkes for her efficient management of the tournament and expressed the hope that she would be spared to carry through many more tournaments. (She thanked the referees also the greenkeepers, Messrs. Lynch and Foster for their care of the grounds and all others who by their cheerful co-operation had assisted to make the fixture such a happy and successful one. Cheers were called for Mrs. Parkes and given with a will.

In returning thanks Mrs. Parkes assured the gathering of her pleasure in.the work and her 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, to which there was hearty response.

On behalf of tho committee of the croquet section of Northern Club, Mrs. Bryan expressed gratitude to the nonplayers, headed by Mcsdames Garner and Boyne, who had generously come forward to attend to tho refreshments making it possible to give a donation to the association at the same time looking after the creature comforts of the competitors so capably. Following were the successful competitors: —

Open championship (New Zealand Croquet Council Cup): Mrs. Morgan; runner-up, Mrs. Petrie.

B championship (Radford Cup): Mrs. Oliver; runner-up, Mrs. Moxon. C championship (Association Cup): Mrs. McCarty; runner-up, Mrs. King. Champion doubles (rosebowl): Alesdames T. Simpson and L. Wood; runners-up, Mesdames Bryan and McMurray (holders). Handicap doubles: Mesdames Simpson and Lee; runners-up, . Mrs. Colquhoun and Miss McFarlane. A grade handicap singles: Mrs. Bryant; runner-up, Mrs. Wood. B grade handicap singles: Mrs. Moxon; runner-up, Miss Read. G grade handicap singles: Mrs. Permain; runner-up, Mrs. Mills. Yesterday’s results: — Open Champioship. First Life. Final: Mrs. Petrie beat Mrs. McMurray 26 —16. Final (best of three games): Mrs. Morgan beat Mrs. Petrie 26 —17, 22—26, 26—7. Handicap Doubles. Final: Mesdames T. Simpson (1) and Lee (6) beat Mrs. Colquhoun (4J) and Miss McFarlane (8i) 26 —11. B Grade Championship. Final: Mrs. Oliver beat Mrs. Moxon 19—26, 26—17, 26—18.. B Grade Handicap Singles. Final: Mrs. Moxon (7s) beat Miss Read 26—23. C Grade Handicap. Final: Mrs. Permain QOJI beat Mrs. Mills (9i) 26—19