LA ROCHE WINS CROQUET OPEN TITLE

Chronicle (Levin), 5 February 1947, Page 6

LA ROCHE WINS CROQUET OPEN TITLE

-Press As&ociation

By felegraph—

WEBBliNDTUJN, i^'eb. 4. Croquet of a very high standard was witnessed by a large crowd of on lookers when C. la Roche beat Miss ; Claughton in the final of the open ehampionship. at the national tournament today. La Koche was first to get into play but, misjudging the strength of the lawn, missed the roquet. Miss Claughton overran the first hoop and parlced. In and out play followed until Miss Claughton bauiked at the second hoop, letting in her opponent. La Roclie then went to three back where he missed a shot. When Miss Claughton made to four back, la Roche, hittihg in with a lift shot, carried his clip to the penultimate. Miss Claughton, hitting in, went from the second hoop to the peg. In a later turn she made the last two hoops and pegged out to. win by eight points. - In the second game la Roche, getting the play, made a few points after which Miss Claughton, getting the play, carried her clip to four back. In the next turn she did not get a positon for the third hoop and retired. La Roche hit in and made the round to four back in two turns. In and out play followed until la Roche reached four back'witli his backward ball. Miss Claughton then got the play and made four back, penultimate and rover but missed the return roquet, letting in her opponent. La Roche then made his points and pegged out his opponent 's ball. Miss Claughton was able to make one poinl before la Roche finished winner by three points. ' In tihe last game la Roche played perfeet croquet, making round breaks, his opponent having* the opportunity to score only one poiut additional. -Results: — Women 's ehampionship: Mrs. Cxilbert, beat Mrs Tingey J7 — 2G, 26 — 16. Mrs. Watkins beat Mrs. Collins 26 — 12, 22 — 26, 26 — 15; Mrs. McLennan beat Mrs, Kirk 26—11, 23—26, 26— 1U Handicap singles, final: Lieut.-Colonc' Saalfeld beat C. la Roche 26 — 17.