CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 10

CROQUET

CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY CONCLUSION EXPECTED TO-DAY Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 15. The weather conditions, which have to data been so favourable for the Dominion croquet tournament, underwent an unpleasant change to-day, the sky being dull and overcast, with rain threatening, and a boisterous wind also tended to further unpleasantness. Despite the poor playing conditions, however, some excellent games took place. The events have now reached the final stages, and it is probable that the finals will bo completed to-morrow. Results of the day’s play are as follow: — LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. First Life. Fourth Round.—Mrs. Smith 26, beat Mrs. Rhodes Williams 19. Semi-final. —Miss Steel 26, beat Miss Hesketh 26. Final.—Miss Steel 26, beat Mrs. Smith 19. Second Life. Fourth Round. —Miss Hesketh 26, beat Mrs. Watkins 18. Semi-final. —Miss Hesketh beat Mrs. Brabant by default. HANDICAP SINGLES (SENIOR). Second Round. —Stratton 26, beat Mrs. Smith 23. Third Round.—Stratton 26, beat Mrs. McKay 19; Mrs. Gambrill 26, beat Mrs. Watkins 13. Fourth Round.—Stratton 26, beat Mrs. Horn, 15; Mrs. Smith 26, beat Mrs. Johnson 23; Mrs. Robertson 26, beat Archdeacon Meredith 16; Mrs. Gambrill 26, beat Ross 17. Semi-final.—Miss Hesketh 26. beat Mrs. Gam brill 24; Mrs. Robertson 26, beat Stratton S. HANDICAP DOUBLES. Semi-final. —Archdeacon Meredith and Mrs Smith 26, heat Colonel Hume and Mrs. Gambrill 15NOTES ON THE PLAY Mrs. Gambrill played against Mrs. C. Watkins in the handicap singles, and the former had reached the peg with both balls, Mrs. Watkins having done the same with one of her balls, tried to peg Mrs. Watkins out, in which she was successful, but her own ball rolled on also, leaving her with 13 points to make. As she had not moved off tho first hoop with the other ball. Mrs. Gambrill pegged out a few minutes later. A. semi-final in the handicap doubles was played between Archdeacon Meredith and Mrs. A. E. Smith, against Colonel Hume and Mrs. Gambrill. Scoring was opened by Colonel Hume, peeling at the first hoop. Shortly afterwards, Archdeacon Meredith made five points, with blue, and was followed by black with 6 points. Red and yellow made very slow progress, and Mrs. Gambrill took, a bisque, but did not score a point on it. Blue advanced to the penultimate hoop, then laid for black. Red missed the “tice.” Black, played by Mrs. Smith, made two more points, and this was followed by Mrs. Gambrill making 8 points. Black, blue, and yellow were on the penultimate hoop at one time, but red had made Only 2 points. As the time limit was approaching, Mrs. Gamhrill hit the stick, and let the opponents in. They made 24, to their opponents’ fifteen. ANNUAL FIXTURES VENUE DECIDED UPON. Palmerston North, February 15. After considerable discussion at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Croquet Council last night, on the venue of the next Dominion tournament, it was decided that the executive be recommended to hold the tests at either Palmerston North or at Lower Hutt. The chairman, Mr. J. Murray, stated that the entries for the tournament had now reached such a large number that it was becoming inconvenient to hold the Dominion tourney at Palmerston North, owing to the greens in this town being scattered. He moved that the tourney be held at Wanganui, to which motion an amendment was moved by Mr. C. A. E. Ferguson that the locality still remain Palmerston North. Mr. A. G. F. Ross stated that the only inconvenience as far as Palmerston North was concerned, was the scattered nature of the lawns, but Colonel Hume pointed out that the central position of the town was too valuable to allow of its being abandoned as the venue of the tourney. No seconder was forthcoming to Mr. Ferguson’s amendment, which lapsed, and the motion put to the meeting by Mr. Murray was carried, after which it was decided to hold. the next North Island fixture at New Plymouth.

It was then moved by Mr. Murray that, in the event of an Australian team coming to New Zealand in 1929. that the tests be. held at Palmerston North, to which an amendment was moved by Airs. McKenzie that they be held, at Lower Hutt, it eventually being decided to leave the matter to the excutive, with the recommendation already outlind.