CROQUET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 54

CROQUET.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. Splendid weather again prevailed. Progress was well maintained, with the result that the two finals were played yesterday. In the final for the handicap doubles Mesdames Watkins and Pitcaithly (Hastings) met Mesdames Harvey (Napier) and Waters (Nelson), in a hard and interesting J- T uss ‘. e - During stages of the game the Hastings pair were uncertain in their long shotting, . ith the result that their opponents gained a substantial lead. However, they showed considerable improvement after an hour’s play, and ran out winners. Mrs Horner (Patea) defeated Miss Ml'arlane (Manawatu) by 26 points to 22 in the final of the grade handicap singles. The championships were advanced a further stage, when the weather continued fine. The doubles championship and the A gra c? e handicap singles were concluded. A G. F. Ross (Christchurch) won the singles, and, partnered with Mrs Johnson (Christchurch), also the doubles. The match of the morning s play was the meeting of Ross, Christchurch, and Mrs Watkins, Hastings, in the third round of the open championship. The southerner has held the t'tle on four occasions, while Mrs Watkins holds the present ladies’ championship The match was decided on the best of three games, the first going to Ross by 26 to 11. lhe scores were equalised in the next game, Mrs Watkins winning by 25 to 21. The final game saw Ross strike top form and he went out in two beautiful breaks of 11 and 15, while his opponent scored 8 points. Ross and Mrs Johnson met the Venerable Creed Meredith, Wanganui, and Mrs Fuller, Wellington, in the final of the Dominion doubles championship, the South Island combination winning handsomely by 26 to 15. In the early stages of the game the Wanganui representative made a good break, but had a tie handy for his partner, who was very much “off colour.” However, the pair established a lead of 15 to 6, when Mrs Fuller missed an easy shot, and allowed Mrs Johnson to get in at the first loop. ’This she fpllowed on by making a splendid round of nine points, bringing the scores level. Mrs Fuller took the next shot, but missed. Ross then took a hand in ths game, and the southerner gave the spectators a thrilling exhibition. He made the necessary three hoops to catch up with his partner, and proceeded to peel both balls through the next three hoops to the peg. This he accomplished after making a splendid recovery at the rover, and laid up by the stick, leaving the Ven. Creed Meredith a difficult long shot. The attempt to separate failed and Ross pegged out his partner and went out to win by 26 to 15, after a magnificent game. The contestants for the final of the Dominion A grade handicap singles were Mrs Tiffen (J), Napier, and A. G. I. Ross (I|). The North Island representative established an early lead, making six points with one ball before taking a brisque. After Ross had missed a long shot Mrs Tiffen took the ball to three hoops from the peg. Ross again missed a difficult shot, and using her second and last brisque Mrs Tiffen made two points before she stuck in hoop to allow Ross to get in for the first time. The champion then made a perfect break of 10 before he broke down. A few shots later he started his second ball, but both contestants missed a few rather simple shots. Ross later got in to carry both balls to the peg, and, giving Mrs Tiffen a long shot, went out to win by 26 to 18. The results are as follow: — Ladies' Championship.—First draw (fourth round): Mrs Jarvie defeated Mrs Waters, 26 to 16; Mrs Watkins defeated Mrs Healy, 26 to 6.. Second draw (third round): Mrs Maddren defeated Mrs M'Murray, 26 to 5. Fourth round: Mrs Maddren defeated Mrs Kirk, 16 to 1; Mrs Watkins defeated Mrs Johnson, 26 to 12. Semi-final: Mrs Gambrill defeated Mrs Bartlett, 26 to 24. Dominion Open Championship.—Second round: Mrs Pitcaithley lost to Chambers, nil to 2; Mrs Jarvie defeated Mrs Maddren, 2 to nil. Handicap Singles.—Semi-final: Mrs Tiffen (Hawke’s Bay) defeated Mrs Smith (Christchurch), 26 to 10. Final: A. G. Ross (Christchurch) defeated Mrs Tiffen, 26 to 18.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. PALMERSTON N., January 24. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Crocquet Association was held tonight and ths election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. Murray (Palmerston North); vice-president, Mr A. G. F. Ross (Chirstchurch); secretary and treasurer, Mr C. A. Ferguson (Palmerston North); official handicappers—Mrs Keasing (Auckland). Mr J. Murray (South Auckland), Mrs Watkins (Hawke’s Bay). Mr R. Caughey (Wellington), Mr s Baxter (Manawatu), Mr A. G. F. Ross (Canter* bury), Mrs Shallcrass (West Coast), Mrs XV aters (Nelson), Mrs Morrison (Taranaki), Mrs Manhire (Otago), Mr A. S. W. Aitken (Southland); executive—Messrs Murray, Ferguson and Ross. It was decided to hold the 1928 Dominion tourney at Palmerston North while the application of the Wanganui Association for the North Island championships was approved. An application from 10 clubs in South Taranaki to form a separate association with headquarters at Ilawera was granted. DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. PALMERSTON N., January 29. In the final of the Dominion Open Croquet Championship to-day A. J. F. Ross (Christchurch) defeated ' the Venerable Greed Meredith (Wanganui) by 2 to nil. The ladies’ championship final will be played on Monday between Mesdames Watkins (Hastings), Gambrill (Manawatu), and I men (Napier)