Croquet Titles At New Plymouth

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 10, 13 January 1938, Page 2

Croquet Titles At New Plymouth

F. C. BRYAN'S GOOD DAY The North Island croquet championships were advanced a further stage at New Plymouth on Tuesday when the fine weather enabled 35 games to be completed. Tho men's championship was brought to semi-final stages in both lives. Hartnell, New Plymouth, played perfect croquet, and in two of his games executed brilliant triple peels and has now reached thee finals of both lives. He will meet F. C. Bryan, Wellington, in one life, and A. J. Gibbs, Patea, in the other life. Defeat of Gibbs. One of the surprises of the day was the defeat of A. J. Gibbs, New Zealand open champion, by the Wellington minus player, F. C. Bryan, formerly ot Palmerston North. In this game Bryau hit in With the lift shot making two points but in approaching No. 3 hoop over-rolled when Gibbs shot in. Making the most of this opportunity he went to the rover hoop, wiring at No. I and retiring at the fourth hoop. Bryan missed the shot when Gibbs proceeded to the peg, having then scored 21 points to Bryan's two. At this stage the Wellington player hit in from the ‘lift, accidentally peeling Gibbs' ball through the lift hoop, and after making a perfect all-round break pegged out his opponent's ball. Gibbs then went into position for penultimate, and on Bryan missing the scattered bails Gibbs made penultimate. Bryan then resorted to wiring tactics and eventually finished a most thrilling game 26—2-1. In the second life Bryan was beaten by Gibbs 18 —26, the latter playing faultless croquet and giving Bryan few opportunities to score. Another surprise of the day was tho defeat of H. P, Stratton, former New Zealand representative player, by F. C. Bryan. Bryan played particularly good croquet, and executed two splendid breaks in this game, Stratton scoring only 14 points. When playing Mrs. Tingey, New Plymouth, Mrs. Gambrill attempted to peel at No. X but failed with her own ball. Mrs. Tingey did not make a good take off and retired. On the next occasion she made two points when the local player shot in and made three hoops. Mrs. Gambrill again shot in and, establishing a break, went to the rover, wiring at the peg. In the next turn Mrs. Gambrill made two points but in going to separate missed her opponent's ball. Mrs. Tingey, thus gaining control, carried her clip to three back. Mrs. Gambrill again secured the shot and making the most of her opportunities finished the match 26—11. In the match between Mrs. Lowery, Wellington, and Mrs. Burrett, Auckland, ~ars. Lowery played good croquet and soon established a lead which was maintained throughout. F. L. Hartnell and Mrs. Hay played F. C. Bryan and Miss McKenzie, the first stages being occupied with the progress of the junior players to four back. As soon as both Miss McKenzie and Mrs. Hay had their clips on this hoop, Bryan took charge and played a nice break to rover, followed by Hartnell who also went to four back. Bryan then shot in and soon had his partner on rover. Hartnell secured the play and making the remainder of the hoops for his own ball peeled and pegged out Miss McKenzie's ball. Bryan hit in after a few turns and made rover but failed to peg out. Hartnell engineered the game, peeling his partner's ball through the last three hoops, wiring whenever possible, and ultimately finishing by the small margin of one point. Results:— CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. H. P. Stratton and Mrs Watkins beat Mrs Rochell and McLennan, 26-14. WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. First Life. Mrs Tingey beat Mrs Cadwallader, 26-12. Mrs McLennan beat Mrs Brown, 26-13. Mrs Caldow beat Mrs Codd, 26-23. Mrs Logan beat Mrs Pettigrew, 26-13. Mrs Lowry beat Mrs Keys, 26-24. Mrs Caldow beat Mrs Washer, 26-16. Mrs Clark beat Mrs Logan, 26-13. Mrs Gambrill beat Mrs Ingey, 2g-11. Second Life. Mrs Wright beat Mrs Rowlands, 26-6. Mrs Kibblewhite beat Mrs Waters, 26-11. Mrs Watkins beat Mrs Bassett, 26-13. Mrs McLennan beat Mrs Bennett, 26-7. Mrs Hawker beat Mrs Gambrill, 26-11. Mrs Codd beat Mrs Cadwallader, 26-9. MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. First Life. C. F. Bryan beat F. C. Bennett, 26—9. F. Hartnell beat G. Hart, 26—0. A. J, Gibbs beat Bryan, 26 —IS. Second Life. Hartnell beat Bennett, 26—0. Bryan beat H. P. Stratton, 26—14. Hart beat H. A. Penn, 26 —23, Hartnell beat W. Tye, 26—17. Bryan beat Gibbs, 26—24. artnell beat Hart, 26—4. Hartnell beat A. Hodge, 26—4,