CROQUET MEDALS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 27 March 1936, Page 6

CROQUET MEDALS

STRATTON AND HARTNELL WIN Alter a week of croquet consistently near the highest standard New Zealand can produce, the annual tournament for the English gold and silver medals was con eluded at New Plymouth (reports the “News”). 11. R. Stratton, Hastings, won the gold medal and F. L. Hartnell, West End Club, New Plymouth, won the silver medal. Probably the best game of the whole tournament was that in which Hartnell defeated Gibbs 26-1. Hartnell’s execution of the triple peel, which is the ambition'of every good player to master, was almost perfect. Gibbs was allowed only two shots throughout the game. Hartnell began by making the complete round, wiring at No. 1. Next round he set put to peel through the remaining three hoops. His execution of the four back peels was brilliant, but he was unable to negotiate penultimate when male, ing the first re trim. Nothing daunted lie again attempted the peel. when his oval ball was for the same hoop. ITe not only peeled through that but also through rover. In his second match against Gibbs for the silver medal Hartnell played with complete confidence. Gibbs had one chance and made a few points. Then Hartnell hit in with the fourth hall and made a- break of nine hoops. ITe scored a single peel and when Gibbs shot and missed lie ended the "ame 26-0. When Hartnell met Jarvie in the last game forjthc silver medal he was slow In accustom himself to the surface of (lie West End lawn which was keener Ilian that of the New Plymouth lawn. It was some time before either man made much headway. Jarvie made one break of five hut plnv was mainly in and out. In the end Hartnell made a break of