A. G. Ross Is Again Open Croquet Champion

Chronicle (Levin), 29 January 1949, Page 7

A. G. Ross Is Again Open Croquet Champion

WANGANUI, Jan. 28. ' The New Zealand croquet pliampionships were continued here today in blustery weather. A. G. Ross (Manawatu), present holder of the men's charapionship, won the open singles today by defeating Mrs. Watkins (Hast1 ings). The open championship is at present helcl by A. Heenan, who is at present in Australia and has not • participated in this tournament; Ross has held the New Zealand open championship on seven previous occasions. He won his first open title in 1924 and was undisputed champion for tlie next three years when the title went to Colonel Du Pre (England). Ross regained the title in 1929, bnt lost it in the following year to Mrs. A. Jarvie. He was again open champion in 1932 and the last occasion on which he won the title was in 1939. RosS won his iirst men 's title in 1934 and was again men's champion in i937. lle won the title again last year at the : centennial tournament in Dunedin and will be plaving- for the title again this year as he is in the final. His opponent will be H. C. Ford (Wellington) who beat. W. S. Beamish (Christchurch) who retired after each had won a match. . Mrs. Watkins, runner-up in the open is former open champion, having won the title in 1938, 1940 and 1941, and has been New Zealand women 's champion on five occasions. Her iirst women 's title was in 1937 and she was champion in 1947, losing the title last year to Miss M. Claughton (Wellington). The linal of the first life of the doubles championship was won by H. Ford and Miss M. Claughton (Wellington), the present holders of the title who beat W. >S. Beamish and Mrs. Clark (Christchurch). The linal of the socond life was plaved between Mr. and Mrs. Ivirk (Geraldine) and Mr. and Mrs. J. Kitson (Invercargill) and resulted in a win for the Kitsons. ' Eesults: — Open Championship Final: A. G. Ross (Manawatu) beat Mrs. Watkins (Hastings) 26 — 16, 26 — 11. Championship Doubles:. First life final, 11. Ford and Miss M. Claughton (Wellington) beat W. S. Beapiish and

Mrs. Clark (Christchurch) 26-4-3; second life final, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kitson (Invercargill) beat Mr. and Mrs. H. Ivirk (Geraldine) 26 — IS. Women 's Championship, fourtli round: Mrs. Henderson (Wellington) beat Mrs. Lyncli (Gonville) 26 — 1/26 — 14; Miss Iveatley (Auckland) beat Mrs. Treadgold (Auckland) 26 — 14, 26 — -11; quarter-final, Miss M. Claughton (Wellington) beat Mrs. 'McLeod (Gore) 2 6-=-l 7, 26—12. Men's Championship Semi-final:. A. *G. Ross (Manawatu) beat D. MeClymont (Wanganui) 26 — 13, 22 — 26, 26 — 7; H. C. Ford (Wellington) beat W. 8. Beamish (Christchurch) 21 — 26, 26 — 16 (retired). Handicap Singles, final: J. Kitson (Invercargill) beat Mrs. T. Simpson (Auckland) 26 — 15. - Heenan Plate, quarter final: Miss M. Claughton (Wellington) beat Mrs. Jordan (Neiv Plymouth) 26 — 7.