CROQUET

Southland Times, Issue 22215, 6 January 1934, Page 2

CROQUET

NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. (Per United Press Association.) Rotorua, January 5. The handicap doubles final in the North Island croquet championships, which were commenced here on Wednesday, was decided to-day, and was won by Mr H. Gibbs (Patea) and Mrs Margison (Te Aroha) who defeated Captain Hartnell (New Plymouth) and Mrs Halkett (Rotorua) 26—10. The handicap singles are at present in progress, and a start was made today upon the ladies’ singles championship. The greens are playing well and the weather is ideal.

SOUTH ISLAND TOURNAMENT.

HANDICAP DOUBLES COMMENCE.

(Special to the Times.) Ashburton, January 4.

The South Island Croquet tournament was opened to-day by the Mayor of Ashburton. He welcomed the visiting players and congratulated the management on the large number of entries. Mr R. W. McCreath (Gore) said he understood a pioneer member of the Ashburton Croquet Club, Mrs F. Makeig, was celebrating her eighty-eighth birthday on Wednesday, and regretted her inability to be present at the opening. He thought it wonderful that a player should maintain such a keen interest in the game for so long. As an expression of the esteem of local players and visitors, he presented Mrs John Lane, president of the club, with a bouquet for Mrs Makeig. The entries, which number 165, include players from all parts of the South Island, as well as many wellknown croquet players from the North Island. A. G. F. Ross, of Christchurch, is defending his open title against 12 competitors, Mrs W. N. Corbett the women’s title, and Ross and Mrs J. T. Wilson the doubles title. Other prominent players are Mesdames W. F. Caldow, of Wellington, present New Zealand woman champion and North Island open champion, and C. A. Watkins, of Hastings, a former New Zealand champion. The weather to-day was fine until about the middle of the afternoon, by which time a large proportion of the matches had finished. Rain came down steadily and play was abandoned about 4.30.

Following are the results of the games finished:—

HANDICAP DOUBLES. Mesdames Cooper and Cowan defeated Mesdames Cunningham and Tucker, 26—13. Mesdames W. Quinn (Invercargill) and Heenan (Ashburton) defeated Mrs Thompson (Ashburton) and H. D. Penn (Christchurch) 26—23. Mrs J. T. Wilson (Invercargill) and R. W. McCreath (Gore) defeated Mrs Palmer (Christchurch) and J. Thompson (Ashburton) 26—16.

Mrs Curie and Miss Perrin (Invercargill) defeated Mesdames Chambers and Moore, 26—8. Miss McDonald (Ashburton) and G. Hart (Timaru) defeated Mrs A, H. W. Aitken (Gore) and N. D. McCreath (Gore) 26—21.

Mrs W. Taylor (Timaru) and Miss Morgan) defeated E. J. Ross (Christchurch) and Mrs Dunn 26—22. Mrs Revell (Timaru) and Mrs Johnson defeated Mrs Walker and Mrs G. Williams, 26 —19. Mrs Hore (Invercargill) and Mrs Saunders defeated Mrs Lee and Mrs Gabites (Timaru) 26—17. Mrs Cowper and Mrs D. Lee (Christchurch) defeated Mrs Forsyth and Miss Watt 26—20.

Mrs Evans and A. G. F. Ross (Christchurch) defeated Mrs Watkins (Hastings) and Mrs Halstead (Dunedin) 26—14. ’

Mrs Scandrett (Christchurch) and Mrs Patchett defeated Mrs Lowery and Mrs Hogan (Wellington) 26—25.