CROQUET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22810, 20 February 1936, Page 5

CROQUET

By Cups.

TOURNAMENTS The Wellington tourney has J us f finished, the Otago Championships. are at present in progress, and the South Canterbury tournament commences next Thursday at Timaru. OTAGO TOURNEY The weather for the first two days of the Otago tournament was good from a player’s point of view, the week-end rain having taken that parched surface oft the lawns, and there was no sun glare to tire the eyes. From the spectators’ point of view, however, it was slightly chilly. . The entries are some 40 fewer than last year, the drop being chiefly in the junior grades. This is probably attributable to the fact that a few who , played junior grade last year are now just on the limit mark in the A Grade, and are diffident about competing in that grade. The cutting out of the mixed A and B double event also niore than accounts for the difference. The latter event was a popular one with juniors, and may be again added to the programme, but it is questionable whether or not it is a suitable event to be on a championship programme. Nevertheless, juniors deserve encouragement, and the question for the management to decide is "when and where they should get it? The senior events have drawn excellent entries and so far much good play has been witnessed. The question of. a baulk ball arose in one of the championship matches, and there were many onlookers who were not at all sure of the correct ruling. Black was a rover, and red in making for her last hoop roqueted black on .to the peg, then going on to make her last hoop. When it came to black’s turn to play, the question arose: As black was touching the peg, was it out or was it a baulk ball? The ruling given was that as black was put on the stick by a ball which was not a rover, it was not out, but was a baulk ball, and could either hit the peg to go out if so desired, or take it to baulk. . ■ ~ A newcomer to the tourney is Mrs M'Lennan (Timaru) and her play is being closely followed, owing to the tact that this is only her second year in the game and her strokes are good to watch. Her advancement has been almost meteoric, her bisqueing now being 34. This must be the result of careful and intelligent practice. The only fault to be found is her stance, which is not to be emulated. A much more graceful and efficient stance for women is the side stance. Two notable absentees from the senior grade are Mr J. Nichol (Opoho) and Mr George Hart (Timaru). CENTRAL NOTES The interclub matches for the Bridgman Vase (senior grade) resulted as follows: — CROMWELL v. ALEXANDRA. (Cromwell names first.) Doubles. Mesdames Mitchell and Hardy 18, Mesdames O’Kane and Williams 26; Mesdames Jelley and Rattray 26, Mesdames Ruff and M'Grath 20. Singles.—Mrs Mitchell 26, Mrs O’Kane 2.3; Mrs Hardy 26, Mrs Williams 22; Mrs Jelley 26, Mrs Ruff 10; Mrs Rattray 26, Mr s M'Grath 19. , Totals: Cromwell, 5 games; Alexandra, 1 game. The games in this match were very evenly - contested, and, though there was a difference of four games in Cromwell s favour, the difference in points was only 28. Cromwell totalling 148 and Alexandra 12 °‘ CROMWELL v. CLYDE. (Cromwell names first.) Doubles. Mesdames Mitchell and Hardy 26, Mesdames George and Aitkeu 8; Mesdames Jelley and Rattray 26, Mesdames Wood and Hanning 5. Singles.—Mrs Mitchell 26, Mrs George 19: Mrs Hardy 26, Mrs Wood 12; Mrs Jelley 26. Mrs Aitken 15; Mrs Rattray 26, Mrs Hanning 16. Totals: Cromwell, 6 games (156 points); Clyde, no games (75 points). In forwarding these results the secretary of the Central Committee states that the matches were all thoroughly enjoyed and the experience gained from the contests would be beneficial to the game in Central Otago. “ Chips ” heartily congratulates the Cromwell Club on winning the Bridgman Vase this season. NEXT YEAR’S COUNCIL FIXTURES The following are the, locations for next year’s fixtures: —-North Island tournament, Lower Hutt. Wellington, January 6; Dominion, Christchurch, January 19; Gold and Silver Mallets. South Auckland. March: English Gold and Silver Medals, South Canterbury (date to be arranged). , The placing of the North Island tournament qt Wellington should be an excellent arrangement as players coming from all parts of the North Island to the main event at Christchurch will no doubt break the journey and take part in the North Island fixture. It is anticipated that there will be a record number of entries and with excellent lawns at Riddiford Park, the tournament should be an outstanding success. FRIENDLY MATCHES In most clubs there are several promising players who just miss being included in the shield or fern teams, and with a view to giving some of these players a match against outsiders several friendly matches have been arranged. At the invitation of the Logan Park • Club, a team from Leith played at the Logan Park lawns. The games were greatly enjoyed by both team's, the Logan Park nlayers being just ahead in noints in both games. The teams were: Logan Park —Mesdames Paul, Burk, Rankin and Mies Rawlinson: Leith —Mesdames R. Mitchell. Scott. Ponton and Miss Thomson. A return match will be played at the Leith lawijs to-morrow afternoon. A team of six players from Watea wore the guests of Tainui- Club at its lawns recently. Doubles were played, honours

being just about even, after most enjoyable games. The afternoon tea adjournment at these friendly games is one of the enjoyable features of the afternoon. On Monday afternoon the president of the Tainui Club (Mrs 0. G. Hardwick) entertained the members at a bridge and trump whist afternoon at her residence, Rawhiti street. Mrs S. Peake was the winner of the bridge prize, and Mrs M. Kettle won the trump whist. At the conclusion of the afternoon Mrs J. Lindsay, vice-president, thanked the hostess on behalf of the members for a very enjoyable party. , Mrs Hardwick then took the opportunity of making a presentation to Mrs F. S. North, secretary, and expressed appreciation of her work in connection with the club. WELLINGTON TOURNEY The Wellington provincial tournament was commenced on February 4, and lasted longer than was anticipated, owing to the fact that play had to be postponed on two days on account of rain. The finals were played on Monday. The following were the winners in the various sections:- ■ Open Championship Singles—Mrs W. E. Caldow. Ladies’ Associate —Mrs Caldow. Level Singles'—Mrs Kane. , Championship Doubles—Mesdames Caldow and Henderson. Club Pairs —Mesdames Caldow and Henderson. Champion of Champions —A. Grade, Mrs Walker; Intermediate Grade, Mrs Faulkner; B Grade, Mrs Richardson. Handicap Singles—First section, Mrs Caldow; second section, Mrs Moss,