CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 111, 8 February 1928, Page 13

CROQUET

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS DOUBLES COMMENCED Dominion Special Service Palmerston North, February 7. Tho weather for the second day of the croqeut tournament was more pleasant for playing than that of the previous day, owing to a cool breeze, which was prevalent throughout tho day, and a dull and overcast sky. Tho outstanding feature of tho day was the game played by Archdeacon Aleredith and Airs. E. Smith (Christ, church) against Airs. Cole and Airs. Rhodes-Williams (AVellington), which lasted from 9.10 a.m. until 2.30 p.m.— a period of five hours twenty minutes. General dissatisfaction lias been expressed by the competitors with the imposition of the “time limit” in the handicap games, instead of their having to play the shortened games, especially as the time limit condition was not included on the programme, but an-

nounced at the commencement of the tournament on Monday morning. Very few games were completed yesterday morning, the majority of the competitors being unable to get the strength of the lawn, and going boundary continually. In fact, one of the players stated that it would be a difficult matter to decide who was playing the worst game. In the game between Archdeacon Meredith and Mrs. Smith, who played against Alesdames Cole and R. Williams, there was in and out play, with Airs. Smith made a break of five, and followed by laying a rush for her partner, who baulked. The opponents missed, and Airs. Smith gradually reached the penultimate hoop. Meanwhile the opponents had made but three hoops each. The long shooting was of an indifferent description. The game was won by the former pair. Sir Francis Wemyss and Miss Retallaek, and Colonel Savile and Aliss Ilesketh played against each other in the first round of lhe champion doubles. Miss Retailack was the first to score a point with red. and was followed by Colonel Savile with black, and his prospects of further scorin" were good, until the yellow ball hit tho first hoop, rebounded towards blue, letting Sir Francis Wemyss in, and he made three hoops, but failed at fourth, leaving blue and black very close together. Aliss Hcskcth made, three points for blue, but when taking off to red fouled the hoop, ami laid near yellow, who scored three points, then over rolled position, and smashed black away. .Scoring was very slow, only eight points being made for one side and- three for the other, and tho visitors being in the lead. Play, altogether in (his game was uninteresting, neither side making a break, and the spectators were somewhat disappointed in the exhibition. An exciting finish, however, compensated for previous tedious play. Sir Francis Wemyss pegged out with yellow, leaving red solo. Aliss Hesketh put in a long shot, and removed Aliss Retailack’s ball to tho boundary, whence she pegged out with a brilliant shot. Ono of tho most evenly contested games was that, played by Alesdames Horn and Walling Jones against Mesdames Pitcaithly and Acheson. Red, yellow, and blue clips were on four back, and black was on the rover hoop. Play altogether in this game was interesting. Tim score advanced to 24 —20, .ami the minor score players had the balls. Eventually Alesdames Acheson and Pitcaithly won. Alesdames Kibblewhite and Bartlett met Alesdames Caldow and Brighting in tho championship doubles, and all four contestants were unable to get the strength of the lawn, which was of tho keenest description.' Consequently, tho game was in progress for some considerable time.

A. foursome between Sir Francis Wemyss and Miss Retailack and Airs. Bartlett and Mrs. Kibblewhile, attracted a number of spictntors, who, however, were somewhat disappointed with the game. None of the players seemed at homo on the green. At tho close of the game Sir Francis Wemyss played a beautiful cut shot sending the ball at an acute angle to the peg and finishing tho game. Archdeacon Creed-Meredith and .Mrs. Smith met Alesdames Acheson and Pitcailhley in the third round of the championship doubles. Yellow got to the peuultimite very quickly and Archdeacon Aleredith, who was playing more up to his usual form than in the previous game, soon followed suit, but, losing control at the penultimate hoop, he smashed blue to the boundary, red fortunately remaining near yellow Black hit in a long shot, made three hoops, and then crashed with red near, giving Archdeacon Aleredith an opportunity to make the last two hoops and peg out nineteen points ahead. Alesdames Sedgwick and Butcher drew against Alesdames Gardner and Henderson in the champion doubles and this was a close contest. ,Alrs. Sedgwick pegged out yellow (Airs. Gardner’s ball), and Airs. Butcher made the rover hoop, but by an error of judgment roquetted the ball too far from tho peg, and found it necessary to go to red. She placed it near the boundary, then returned to her partner. Airs. Henderson, with an excellent shot, hit Ihe peg. and won the game by two points.

DETAILED RESULTS CHAMPIONS if rp DO ÜBLIB First Round.—Mesdames Gardner and Henderson 26 beat Mesdamcs Butcher and Sedgwick. 24; Mesdames Pitcaithly and Acheson 26 ►:at Mesdames Hall and Wall-ing-Jones. 4J: Mesdames Bartlett and Kibblewhite 26 beat Mesdames Caldow and Brighting. 19: Sir Francis Wemyss and Miss Retallack 26 beat Colonel Savill and Miss Hesketh, 10; Mesdames Gambrill and Jarvie 26 beat Mrs. Watkins and 11. Stratton. 17: Colonel Du Pre and Miss Steel 26 beat Mrs. Leech and Mrs. Canzhley, 11; Mrs. Tiffin and J. Murray 26 beat Mesdames McDougall and Boek. 19; Mr. Hoss and Mrs, Johnson 26 beat Mrs. Bull and Mrs. Bennett, 14; Archdeacon CreedMeredith and Mrs. Smith 26 beat Mrs. Rhodes-Williams and Mrs. Coles, 22; Mrs. Brabant and Mrs. Laurie 26 beat Mrs. Meikle and Mrs. Gohlsburg, 16; Mrs. McKay and Mrs. Dowling 26 beat Mrs. Coutts and Mrs. Sehraur, 16. Second Round.—W. J. Robertson and Mrs. Petrie 26 beat Mrs. Gardner and Mrs. Henderson, 10; Archdeacon Creed Meredith and Airs. Smith 26 bent Mrs. Pitcaithly and Airs. Acheson, 7; Sir Francis Wemyss and Miss Retallack 26 boat Mr. Bartlett and Mrs. Kibblewhite. 12: Mrs. Brnbent and Mrs. Laurie 26 beat Mrs. McKav and Mrs. Dowling. 16: Colonel Du Pre <ind Miss Steel 26 heat Mrs. Jarvie and Mrs. Gambrill 9: Mrs. Lowery and Mrs. Moeller 26 beat Mr. and Mrs. Managh. 21. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. First Round—H. J. Stretton 26 be.Xt J. Murray. 10. HANDICAP SINGLES.

Mrs. Grover 26 beat Mrs. Paviour-Smith 11; Mrs. Chisholm heat Mrs. Murray by default; Mrs. Walling Jones beat Mrs. Cawling by default: Miss Steel 26 beat Mrs. Gill, 1; Mrs. Pitcaithly beat Mrs. Scott by default; Mrs. Moeller 26 beat Miss Blake. 7: Mrs. Watkins 26 beat Mrs. Coutts, 0: Mrs. Duker beat Mrs. Scott by default; Mrs. Lowery boat Mrs. McDougall by default; Mrs. Tiffin 26 beat Mrs. Bull. 20: Mrs. Mackay 26 beat Mrs. Hogan, 10; Mrs Grover 26 beat Mrs. Paviottr Smith. 11; Mrs. Chisholm beat Miss Murray by default: Mrs. Walling Jones beat Mrs. Cawline bv default; Airs. Griffiths 26 beat Mrs. Mount. 19; Mrs. Walker 26 beat Mrs. Simpson, 21.