CROQUET NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 279, 24 November 1937, Page 5

CROQUET NOTES

WANGANUI ACTIVITIES. (By “Penultimate.’’) The Wanganui match charts have been completed, the club handicaps allotted, and the way is therefore clear for more intense and more interesting play than has been witnessed during the past few weeks. There can be no doubt whatever that the competitive spirit entering into the little club contests makes for a higher standard of play, and though we all agree that “the game's the thing,” and pay lip service to “sport for sport’s sake” still not many people really enjoy playing by themselves, and most players would rather be contesting a match game that figures will make enduring, than knock the balls round the lawns in a rather aimless “friendly.”

Some rather drastic reductions have been made in the bisquing of the Wanganui Club members for club events only, and the A Yankee, and the A v. B Yankee should be more open this year than formerly. Mrs. Allan has been reduced to 6, and Mr. Allan to 51, and even on the lower figures these keen players will be hard to beat.. Mrs. Jarvie at minus i, and Mrs. Brass at the same figure will be on their mettle; and Mr. Jarvie and Mr. McClymont will find it difficult to win many games at minus one. The progress made by Mrs. McClymont has been recognised by a reduction of a bisque, and at 2J Mr. Shield remains a dark horse. Mrs. Amies and Mrs. L. E. Bassett on 2 should be difficult to beat, and amongst others, Mrs. B. Smith, Mrs. Carrig, Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Langton should be in the running. As I write this word has just come to hand that Miss Burgess has played her first two “Yankees,” and won both, so the prophets may De confounded yet by—anyone. The McLeod Cup.

The Gonville Club spnt a team to Mangaweka last week, but the' McLeod Cup still remains there. It is rumoured that the redoubtable Durie Hill Club is to make a bid at bringing the cup back to Wanganui, and we wish them every success: Mangaweka has withstood all challenges, and we congratulate them on their continued success. -Now that they have so amply demonstrated their superiority, I have a suggestion to make, and I trust that the Mangaweka Club will understand and appreciate the spirit in which it is offered. They must, of course, be aware that it has been suggested that away from their small lawn it would not be so easy for them to retain the title, and I suggest that they voluntarily offer to contest the next match on the Wanganui Club lawns, and if they win, they will have doubly confounded their critics, in that not only can they win away from home but also that a full-sized lawn holds no terror for them.

Inter-Association Play. The inter-Association games to be held on the Wanganui Club lawns on Friday, November 26, are causing a considerable amount of interest and speculation. The Taranaki Association is sending a strong teum:—Mrs. Clark, minus i; Mr. Hartnell, minus li; Mrs. Tingey, scratch; Mrs. Skeet, 1; Mrs. Harvey, 1; and Mrs. Waters, scratch. It is possible that the lastnamed may be unable to accompany the team, and in that event Mrs. Hartnell may take her place. The Wanganui Association has nominated a team to play against the New Plymouth redoubtables:—Mrs. Brass, scratch; Mr. Harrison, i; Mrs. Jarvie, scratch; Mr. Jarvie, scratch; Mr. McClymont, scratch; Mr. Ogier, scratch. Play ought to be of a high standard, and some of the games should be worth watching.

Playing With the Wrong Bali. Probably the most important point to remember in connection with playing with a wrong ball is that if the next turn has commenced, nothing whatever can be done, the opportunity to rectify the error having passed, and points in order are scored as if nothing had happened. This, however, must not be confused with the turn of the striker, who has made the error, having ceased. Even if such turn has completely finished, and the player come off the lawn, provided the next player has not started his stroke, the mistake can be adjusted; and in a singles game, if the first wrong stroke was a roquet, not a croquet stroke, the balls should be replaced as they were when the wrong stroke was made, and the turn played over again from that point. If the games is a “doubles,” and the roquet shot is made with the partner ball, the turn shall be started again by the player of that ball.

Wanganui Club Tournament. A number of entries have been received from the various clubs in Wanganui for this interesting event, and players should seize this opportunity to get some practice in tournament play. A style of play known as “Tournment play" seems to have been adopted by a number of the leading Dominion players, and even if one is not wholly in agreement with their tactics, it will be advisable to get some knowledge of such play, so as to be able to meet these players on their own ground, and the Wanganui Club tournament to be held, starting on November 30, will provide the necessary opportunity. Some of the Wanganui Association members seem to have an idea that Wanganui is an important centre of croquet, and from some points of view that is probably correct. Much, however, remains to be done in the matter of membership and when we realise that Hawera and Stratford with a combined population of approximately 9000 have 111 members, and Wanganui with three times the population has only 149, it will be understood that enthusiasts have much yet before them in the way of interesting new members to join in our great game.