CROQUET IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1935, Page 9

CROQUET IN TARANAKI

NORTH COMPETITIONS HOW GOLF CROQUET IS PLAYED. FORTHCOMING TOURNAMENTS. (By “Hoop.”) Dates of forthcoming tournaments are as follows:— Wairarapa championships, Masterton, November 12. Hawkes Bay championships, Hastings, November 26. Canterbury championships, Christchurch, December 26. South Island championships, Timaru, January 7. North Island championships, Hastings, January 8. New Zealand championships, Palmerston North, January 22. South Auckland championships, Rotorua, February 3. Southland Association tournament, Invercargill, February 4. Wellington tournament, Wellington city, February 4. Manawatu tournament, Palmerston North, February 11. Otago championships, Dunedin, February 18. Wanganui championships, Wanganui, February 20. West Coast championships, Greymouth, February 24. Southern Hawkes Bay championships, Dannevirke, February 25. South Canterbury tournament, Timaru, February 27. New Zealand gold and silver mallets, Christchurch, March 4. Taranaki championships, New Plymouth, March. 10 New Zealand gold and silver medals, New Plymouth, March 19. Golf Croquet Rules. The Taranaki Croquet Association cannot enforce the rules of golf croquet and clubs may play as it suits them. In answer to a request 'from one of the Taranaki clubs the following are the rules of golf croquet as approved by the English Council:— (1) The game ot golf croquet is played between two sides playing alternate turns each side consisting of one or two players. The court and setting of hoops and peg are the same as in the game of croquet, but the balls are played throughout in the sequence blue, red, black and yellow. One side playing blue and black and the other red and yellow. The game consists of 13 points. (2) The start: The choice of start, or allocation of balls, is decided as in croquet. At the commencement of the game each player in due sequence shall play his ball from any spot on the lefthand yard line. (3) The turn: The turn shall consist of a single stroke even though the striker hit another ball or make a point in order. There is no croquet stroke in golf croquet. (4) Method of scoring: The state of the .game is indicated as in match play in golf. As in golf it will not be necessary to complete the whole series of points to win the game, if either side has scored a balance of points - eater in number than remain to be played. (5) Pegging at peg: After the rover hoop has been scored each ball (Whatever its position may be) shall Until the end of the game and immediately before its turn be lifted to any point on the yard line, and played therefrom. (6) Peeling: If a striker hits another ball and causes it to run a hoop in order or hit a peg in order, then that other ball-scores a point in: •prder. . . • ' '. (7) Advancing a bail prematurely:- If a striker plays his ball without hitting another ball to a position which commands or threatens to command the point sue-, ceeding that which is being contested the adversary may .require such ball to be replaced, and the stroke shall be. made again to the-adversary’s satisfaction; but if- the striker hits another ball or scores a point ; any ball displaced by the stroke cannot be so recalled. ’ ' (8) Fouls: Strokes which are fouls in croquet are. fouls in golf croquet, and the penalties for fouls in the laws of croquet are applicable. (9) The jump shot is a foul in golf croquet. 1 (10) Playing out of turn or with the wrong ball: If a striker play out of turn or with the wrong ball, that stroke and any.subsequent strokes are null and void, All balls displaced shall be replaced and the player who was first in error shall follow in due sequence.'No points made during the period of error shall.be scored. If the players cannot mutually agree as to the original position of the balls all the balls shall be lifted and played from the corner square nearest to the point being .contested, but the player first in error shall play last in sequence. New Plymouth Club. At a meeting of the New Plymouth committee it was decided strictly to enforce the rule that all players must wear flat-soled shoes or boots on the lawns. This has been found necessary on account of damage to the lawns, which not only affects the players but is most disappointing to the caretaker. It was decided to hold a gala day on November 23 when all croquet players and their friends will be welcomed. A golf croquet afternoon was held last Saturday, when Mrs. J. White was the winner. Is First-class Croquet Dull?

First-class croquet is sometimes spoken of as dull. That may be sometimes. Yet certainly not all first-class croquet is dull even to the spectator, and surely a much smaller percentage of it when the championship is i' goal and the best exponents are assembled in deadly earnest to compete for this covete ‘ honour? Play in such circumstances ought never to be dull. Games individually may be protracted and interest ma; lapse while watching them, but results are of paramount importance, and the clashes of the really great are as much a psychological study to be enjoyed as a rare test of skill to be admired. Miss Steel Again Champion.

Miss D. D. Steel once more emerges triumphant in England as in 1925 and in 1933. The writer has little hesitation in saying that Miss D. D. Steel is the Very best of English players, and may well be without an equal in the croquet world overseas. W. B. Tu Pre lost the title, being defeated by the excellent croquet reserved for him by B. G. Klein, runnerup for a third occasion. The other semifinalist was the English president, Trevor . Williams.- E. L. Ward-Petley won the associate plate and, with H. R. Poulter. the championship doubles title. They thus added to the fame established overseas where each played sc well for England.

Bennett Cup Results. New Plymouth (1) had a walk over from Central and so had a six-point win. West End and New Plymouth (2) drew. Details, West End players being mentioned first, are: Captain Hartnell 13 v. Mrs. Brown 26, Mrs. Hartnell 26 v. Mrs. Johnson 11, Mrs. Ward 26 v. Miss Pavitt 14, Mrs. Honeyfield 1 v. Mrs. Hollows 26. Hartnell and M-s. Hartnell 26 v. Mesdames Brown a;._ Johnson 20, Mesdames Ward and Honeyfield 14 v. Miss Pavitt and Mrs. Hollows 26.

Details of the Pukekura v. Kawaroa match are:—Mrs. Broad 26 v. Miss Irvine 24, Mrs. Burke 26 v. Mrs. Philpott 22,

Mrs. McGahey 26 v. Mrs. Cox 15, Mrs. Hookham 19 v. Mrs. McKay °6, Mesdames Broad and Burke 26’ v. Miss Irvine and Mrs. Philpott 21, Mesdames McGahey and Hookham 26 v. Mesdames Cox and McKay 24. Pukekur<. scored 5 points and Kawaroa one point. Pellew Shield Match. Details of the Pehew Shield match between Pukekura and Kawaroa are:—Mrs. Lawrence 26 v. Mrs. Adamson 17, Mrs. Turner 26 v. Mrs. Sole 22, Mrs. Robertson 26 v. Mrs. Whitehead 16, Mrs. Innis 13 v. Mrs. Brier 26; Mesdames Lawrence and Turner 26 v. Mesdames Adamson and Sole 17, Mesdames Robertson and Innis 24 v. Mesdamc. Brier and Whitehead 26. Pukekura scored four points and Kawaroa two. West End had a bye. Personal. Miss Skeet, Auckland, will arrive at New Plymouth to-morrov.. Miss Skeet at present holds the title c' champion woman player-in New Zealand. Mrs. W. E. Caldow and Mrs. Hogan will be playing in the Wairarapa tournament which commences on November 12.