CROQUET CONCLUDES

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1935, Page 11

CROQUET CONCLUDES

PLAY AT NEW PLYMOUTH SUCCESSFUL TOURNAMENT ENDS. ONE EVENT NOT YET DECIDED. Under excellent conditions the finals of 11th annual North Taranaki croquet tournament events were contested on Saturday. Heavy rain earlier the previous week had made the New Plymouth lawns useless and consequently delayed-, the draw. Nevertheless, though a record number of entries were received, efficient organisation made it possible for the winners in every event but one to be decided. Mrs. D. C. Henderson, North Island champion and winner of the 1935 gold mallets, won the women’s championship, heading both first and second life divisions. The doubles event was won by a New Plymouth pair, Mesdames Tingey and Harvey, but the final of the open championship is not yet decided. It will begin at 9 o’clock this morning at Pukekura Park, the contestants being Mrs. H. Langford and the winner of the Mc-Kay-Henderson game. In the absence of Mr. F. L. Hartnell, president of the North Taranaki as-i sociation, one of the vice-presidents, Mrs. S. G. Fraser (Waitara) presented the trophies on Saturday afternoon before a large crowd of spectators. While the weather at the commencement of the tournament was not of the best, she said, later it had been all that could be desired. She was sure a great number of those present would be sorry that the finals had been reached. The association was gratified to receive so many entries and it was encouraging to find among them players who had not previously competed. It looked forward to a return visit of all players at the tournament next year. ■ She thanked Mesdames J. L. Walton and F. L. Hartnell, managers, and all those who had helped to make the tournament the success it had been. Such tournaments entailed a great deal of work for those responsible, and the able manner in which all events had been organised was appreciated. In presenting the prizes, Mrs. Fraser specially congratulated Mrs. A. H. Codd, the other vice-president' of the association. She had played strenuously, competing in 21 games since the tournament began and was unlucky in not being successful in the final stages. After distribution of trophies, Mrs. Henderson presented crystal vases and bouquets, made by Mrs. G. W. Ashton, to Mrs. Walton and Mrs. Hartnell The players were indebted to them for, the capable way the tournament had been conducted and for the many small kind-: nesses they had received. ■ / ?"■- Replying, Mrs. Walton said the players not the management had made the tournament a success. She paid a tribute to the work of Mrs. J. Burke, who had efficiently organised the catering arrangements. She and her helpers, in- r eluding the convener at the other clubs, had given invaluable assistance.

Winners of Events. The winners of trophies were as follow:— Women’s championship singles: Winner, Mrs. D. C. Henderson (Wellington); runner-up, Mrs. H. Langford (Palmerston North). ■ ?' Championship doubles: Winners, Mesdames Tingey (New Plymouth) and E. M- Harvey (New Plymouth); runners-up, Mesdames W. Lowery (Wellington) and A- E. Stevens (Hawera). - . Level singles' (2J-4J): Winner, Mrs. C. Ward (New Plymouth); runner-up, Mrs. A. H. Coad (Inglewood). Level singles (5-7): Winner, Mrs. I. M. Cadwallader (Wellington); runner-up; Mrs. J. Roberts (New Plymouth). Level singles (7i-9J): Winner, Mrs. M. Hay (New Plymouth); runner-up, Mrs. M. E. Meuli (New Plymouth). . Handicap singles (6 or less): Winner, Mrs. L. A. Brown (New Plymouth); run-ner-up, Mrs. A. H. Codd (Inglewood). Handicap singles (6J and over): Wininer, Mrs. Hobbs (New Plymouth); run-ner-up, Mrs. J. Roberts (New Plymouth). Handicap doubles: Winners, Mesdames J/. S. McKay (Manaia) and W. F. Buist (Hawera); runners-up, Mesdames W. Glenny (Patea) and Putt (Patea). Dr. Home Rosebowl (for competition among New Plymouth dubs and deeded previous to the tournament): New Plymouth club (Mesdames A. S. Clark, L. A. Brown, A. G. Johnson, E. M. Harvey). Details of play are:— Open Championship. -final (unfinished): Mrs. McKay and Mrs. Henderson one game each. Women’s Championship. y Second life: Final, Mrs. Henderson 26 beat Mrs.' Codd 24. Mrs.. Henderson got in early m the game and went to penultimate. Mrs. • Codd then made a similar break. In and out play followed, Mrs. Henderson just missing long shots. Mrs. Codd failed at the eighth hoop and let Mrs. Henderson in who made one hoop. In and cut play followed till Mrs. Henderson, missing a short rush to her seventh hoop, wired her balls, Mrs. Codd going to the left hoop. Mrs. Henderson got in, and eventually got her two balls to the rover. Mrs. Codd picked up the left shot and soon got to rover with both balls. Mrs. Henderson picked up a medium lift shot and the game ended in Mrs. Hendersons favour, 26—24. Play-off for runner-up womens championship: Mrs. Langford 26 beat Mrs. Codd 17. Championship Doubles. Final: Mesdames Tingey and Harvey 28 beat Mesdames Lowery and Stevens IL Hand Singles (6 or less). Final: Mrs. Brown 26 beat Mrs. Codd 20. In the final of the handicap singles (6 os less) Mrs. Brown (2) beat Mrs. Codd (4) by 26 to 20. Mrs. Codd took possession first and made three hoops. Mrs. Brown got in with a long shot but failed to make position. In and out play followed till Mrs. Codd took a bisqus and went to the 7th hoop. Mrs. Brown picked up a long shot and after in and out play took her clip to the penultimate, with the other on number one. Mrs. Codd picked up the left shot and took the black to th 6th hoop. In the following in and out play both were shooting well. Mrs. Codd reached the 10th hoop when she missed a short drive. Mrs. Brown then kept command, Mrs. Codd missing some long shots. After several turns Mrs. Codd went hoop by hoop to number eight, but then sent a ball over the boundary. Mrs. Brown, in several turns, went to peg with the yellow. Mrs. Codd, taking her other, bisque, made three hoops and .then missed a short roquet, giving the balls to Mrs. Brown, who tried her last hoop and failed. Mrs: Codd missed a short shot and Mrs. Brown made her last hoop, winning the game 26 to 20 in the next turn. * i