CROQUET TOURNAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11735, 24 January 1924, Page 9

CROQUET TOURNAMENT

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. CONTEST CONTINUED IN RAIN. (By Telegraph.—Special to' 'Times “) PALMERSTON N„, January 23. After an exceptionally hot day and evening rain commenced! to fall shortly betore 11 o'clock last night and continued throughout the day. The croquet fixtures were however, continued despite the weather, in order that the championships may bo decided as early as possible. The tournament has been in progress for a week, and only those players who are concerned in matchos aro remaining. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP MURRAY V. MRS MADDREN. In the contest for the Dominion open championship between J. Murray and Mrs Maddren, the struggle went to three games Mrs Maddren won the first and Murray the other two games. The play was not distinguished by any good breaks except in tho latter part of the second game, when Murray played a good break and won after being a Jong way behind. ROSS v. MURRAY. This matfih was played in heavy rain and the balls required a lot of “punchto get them into position. Ross, however, mastered the conditions, played two excellent breaks in tho first game, andi won by 26 to 1. In the second game Ross got in at tho start and played a faultless game, his opponent having only two shots after the nit off. Jn the final between A. G. F. Ross and rr\o? the former won easily, Mrs Tiff-en; only making one point. LADIES’ OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP MRS WATKINS v. MRS GLASS. The final between Mrs C. Watkins, of Hastings, and Mrs Glass, of Dannevirke, was commenced in the rain this morning, and the first of the three deciding games went to Mrs Glass, whose game was marked by exceptionally fine long shots. the final two games Mrs Watkins defeated Mrs Glass after a hard contest, and thereby retains tho title, which she won last year. HANDICAP SINGLES MRS HOGAN v. MRS MADDREN. In the semi-final for the Now Zealand handicap single* Mrs Hogan, of Hastlugs, met Mrs Maddren, of Christchurch, the farmer winning a. fairly even game. Mrs Hogan, who received fy bisques “com her opponent, made the most use of her handicap and established a good lead, which she maintained till the end <rf tho contest. Ross was ho winner of this event.