CROQUET TITLES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 23, 28 January 1938, Page 5

CROQUET TITLES

NEW ZEALAND TOURNEY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS FINALISTS FOUND The New Zealand Croquet Championships, as a result of yesterday’s play, have reached the final stages, and some excellent play has been witnessed in all the games. In Iht open championship Mrs Watkins, Has Lings, meets F. C. Bryan, Wellington, and as both are finished players, with a minus handicap, it is expected that an exhibition of high grade croquet will be provided for the many spectators interested in the game. In the ladies’ event Mrs Simpson (Palmers ton North) will play the final game with Mrs Anstis (also of Palmerston North). Both have played steadily throughout the tournament, both are excellent long shots, and both capable break players. The men’s championship will reach the finals to-day when the winner of the Tannock —La Roche match will meet the winner of the other life of the men’s championship. In the event of this being La Roche, J. Tannock and A. J. Gibbs will contest the honour of runner-up. The handicap singles have yet to be finalised, and the winner of F. L. Hartnell and Mrs McLennan will play C La Roche in the finals. The final of the ladies’ ship goes to three games, two of which were concluded last nigh;, when, owing to failing light, it was decided to play the third round this morning. In the first game of the rubber Mrs Simpson soon had her clip on the fourth hoop, and on Mrs Anstis joining up, Mrs Simpson collected the balls and finished the round to four back. In the next turn she worked her clip to No. 6, where she broke. Mrs Anstis made the first hoop but failed in the second, when Mrs Simpson carried her clip to penultimate. With the other clip on tnr. peg Mrs Anstis hit in and made three points, but went boundary beside her opponent's balls, when Mrs Simpson finished the game. In the second match Mrs Anstis was the first to get going and made four points when Mrs Simpson got control and made a point. Mrs Anstis again shot in and after setting a rush for the next hoop carried ner clip to 2 back and later to penultimate. Mis Simpson here secured the play and carried her clip to 3 back, but there failed with the opponent’s ball. Mrs Anstis, again taking the play, continued with the backward ball, and after a few turns carried her clip to first return, where she failed. Mrs Simpson shot in but failed at No. 3. In-and-out play followed for some time until Mrs Anstis finished 26-13.

Open Championship Semi-final. Mrs Watkins v. Mrs Palmer.—ln the first game of the rubber Mrs Watkins was the first to get going and made a perfect round to four back Mrs Palmer then hit in and followed with a break but missed a roquet at 2 back. Both players were shooting well from the on, and althought no further large breaks were made, the play was of a high standard. The clips were fairly even when Mrs Palmer, in taking off to separate, missed the shot, alter which Mrs Watkins, with careful play, finished the game, winning by 6 points. In the second game of the rubber Mrs Watkins again commenced play by going to penultimate, and later making a break of 2 back, where she failed. Mrs Palmer then took the play, but after making a few points missed a roquet shot, after which in-and-out play constituted the finish, Mrs Watkins eventually winning the game and the rubber.

Men’s Championship. C. La Roche v. A. J. Gibbs (semifinal of first life). —In this match both were playing cautiously, no very substantial breaks being recorded, but the outstanding feature of the game was the exceptionally good shooting by La Roche. Each time his opponent was set for a rush La Roche rarely failed to hit in, but owing to the position of the balls was unable to build a good break. Good judgment, accurate play and excellent rushes eventually secured the game for La Roche, Gibbs scoring 13 points. La Roche now meets J. Tannock in the final of this life. F. C. Bryan (Wellington), who has been playing well throughoirt the tournament has reached the finals of the open championship, where he meets Mrs. C. Watkins (Hastings). In the third round the match between Bryan and C. La Roche was a good one. At the commencement of the match Bryan, collecting the balls, went to penultimate wiring at the peg. In the next turn Bryan made a complete round to the peg, again wiring at the peg. At this stage La Roche hit in and in a few turns scored eight points when Bryan again hitting in finished the game, 26 —8. In the next game La Roche hit in, making five points and failed at the sixth hoop, letting in his opponent who made a complete round to penultimate, again wiring at the peg. La Roche failed to hit in, whereupon Bryan, gathering the balls, made another complete round to the peg and again wiring, finishing the game in the next turn. In the next round Bryan met J. Tannock (Dunedin). In-and-out play constituted most of the game, as on account of the keenness of the lawn both players were finding it difficult to judge good position for the hoops. The long shooting by both players was excellent, but Bryan, who was making the most of the opportunities, executed a double peel and finished the game 26—9. In the second game Tannock made the first hoop and set a rush for the second. Bryan attempted a difficult first hoop, failed, and leaving all the balls in the field, Tannock making the most of the opportunity made a complete round to penultimate, wiring at the peg. Bryan failed to hit in, whereupon Tannock carried his backward ball from the second hoop to rover. Bryan here hit in, making a break to the third return where he failed with his own ball and in lhe next turn Bryan commenced another break with his other ball, but failed at No. 6, lotting in his opponent, who in two turns, playing carefully, finished the game, 26 —13. In the third game the long shooting by Bryan was outstanding. Tannock got the first play but failed at the first hoop when Bryan, executing a good break, went to four back where he baulked. Tannock then scored a few points when Bryan, again hitting, carried his other ball to penultimate;

which hoop he failed to negotiate, letting in Tannock who went to the rover hoop. r-yan, taking the lift shot, failed to hit, whereupon Tannock successfully negotiated three more hoops with his backward ball and set a rush in No. 2 corner. Bryan hit in a shot from one end of the green to the other and in two turns finished the game, 26—13. Mrs. McLennan v. A. J. Gibbs.— Mrs McLennan, after making two points, in the next turn collected the balls going to penultimate. Gibbs shot in and made a few points. At this stage Mrs. McLennan again secured the play and with the aid of three bisques reached the peg with both: balls. Gibbs then shot in and made a complete round to the peg. Mrs. McLennan, using the remaining half bisque, separated and set a rush for the peg and on Gibbs missing the shot Mrs. McLennan finished the game. C. La Roche v. F. L. Hartnell.— Hartnell was the first to get' going, and scored two points. La Roche then hit in and made a good break to 4 back, and in several turns carried his backward clip also to four back. In a later turn he went to rover. At this stage Hartnell hit in and set a rush for No. 1 when La Roche again secured the long shot and made the last few points for his other ball. Hartnell hit in, and collecting the balls broke at first return with Xis opponent's ball, on which opportunity La Roche finished the game. Results are as follow: —

Open Championship. Third Round. F. C. Bryan defeated C. La Roche, 26-8, 26-5. Mrs Palmer defeated E. W. Veitch, 26-13, 26-10. Semi-finals. F. C. Bryan defeated J. Tannock, 26-9, 13-26, 26-13. Mrs Watkins defeated Mrs Palmer, 26.20, 26-7. Ladies’ Championship, First Life. Final. Mrs Simpson defeated M- s ■ss 26-15. Second Life. Semi-final. > Mrs Anstis defeated Mrs Mouatt, 26-14. Final. Mrs Anstis defeated Mrs Keys, 2618. Men’s Championslup. First Life. Second Round. C. La Roche defeated F. L. Hartnell, 26-8. Semi-final. C. La Roche defeated A. J. Gibbs, 26-13. Second Life. Third Round. A. J. Gibbs defeated R. W. McCreath, 26-13. Final. C. La Roche defeated A. .T. Gibbs, 26-12. Handicap Singles. Fourth Round. Mrs McLennan defeated A. J. Gibbs, 26-17. Handicap Doubles. Final. Hartnell (New Plymouth) and Mrs Drake (Gonville), 26-18. F. L. Hartnell (New Plymouth) and' Mrs Drake (Gonville) defeated Mrs McLennan (Timaru) and Mrs Lowery (Wellington), 26-18. Players required to-day at 9 a.m. are: — . Open Championship Final.—Mrs Watkins v. F. C. Bryan. Men’s Championship Semi-final. —J. Tannock v. C. La Roche. Ladies’ Championship Final.—Ms Simpson v. Mrs Anstis.