Croquet Notes

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 140, 11 December 1930, Page 28

Croquet Notes

By "Cuf"

INTER-CLUB GAMES

DAYS CHANGED

NOTES OF INTEREST

PRINCIPAL EVENTS FOR 1930-1931. 9th. January.—North Island Championships, at Auckland. 19th January.—Dominion Championships, at Christchurch. 30th January.—South Island Championships, «t Diraedin. 10th Marcn.—English Gold and Silver ' Medals (Yankee Tournament, at Palmerston North). December Dates. Tuesday, 16th.—Wellington luter-club matches. Thursdays, 11th and 18 lh.—Postponed matches. 16th December to 6th January.—Holiday recess. Matches abandoned. 26th December.—Canterbury Croquet Association's 17th annual tournament,'at . Christchurch. Inter-club Days. The idea of changing the day for interclub games from Thursday to Tuesday, seems, with remarkably few exceptions, to have' met with a widespread approval, as has also the arrangement whereby all postponed games are to be played on the Thursday following. Given ordinary luck concerning weather there should now be few, if any, matches not completed on the week set down for them. Under the previous arrangement of fixing any time suitable to the four concerned, much confusion and a tremendous amount of duplication of work for secretaries and captains arose. , 'With that and the call on players' time (to say nothing of the tying up of the lawns), club games were in daugcr of being drastically cut down, and the programmes in many cases curtailed. As it is, there is a tremendously, heavy inter-club entry this season, which will carry the competition on till the middle of March, when the champion of champion events are due to commence. Clubs will have their work cut out to get their championship and handicap events through, seeing that the Wellington tournament will take up the best part of February, and most of the local lawns will be used. There'must of necessity be a little inconvenience caused by such a change, but the writer feels confident that all will endeavour to rearrange matters at their earliest.. Permission was granted one suburban club to play the "home game" on Thursday of this week to enable adjustments to be made regarding existing fixtures for Tuesdays. Difficulties such as this referred through the association secretary to the Match Committee will always -meet with considerate treatment. Canterbury Tournament. Intending competitors at this popular meeting are reminded that all entries, accompanied with the fees must reach the manager, Mr. A. G. F. Ross, 90, Burnside road, Fendaltou, Christchurch, by ISth December. Hints to Long Bisquers. The writer is indebted to .Mr. R. Leetham Janes, editor of English Association's "Gazette" for the scries of .. lints on "How best to use one's bisques." -\o. 1, on the opening; 2, the half bisque; ;>, the defensive bisque;. 4, the offensive bisque; and -5, the Loewe, have appeared previously. Six reads as under: "The long join-up against you—Your strong opponent, preferring not to shoot into your game, may join his partner-ball oil a boundary, say, seven yards wide (or distant from it); though this would bo impossible (see hint No. 5 on the leave), had neither of his'balls been 'left' near the boundaries. The manoeuvre is disconcerting; you can get no immediate break from this position, while it is unwise to leave him with a strong chance of his getting the innings. Unless your hoop is a certainty, take-oil' first to one of his balls. The more distant ball is frequently the better one to choose. Even if your hoop is a certainty, it may be wiser to take off first with a view to a useful bisque since you leave your partner-ball at your hoop to be roquetted again during the.bisque turn. The join-up being wide is against your getting an immediate break, but it is the more in favour of your laying one, since you have more room to get both opponent-baUs into the court, and less need to leave one near the boundary. Endeavour, then to meet this manoeuvre by laying yourself a break; which done, take a bisque or not according to the number you have left." No. 7, on the general scheme of play", will appear in next week's notes. Seatoun Club. The Seatoun Club held its monthly sports.day last week, when there was a splendid attendance of members aud social members. The .weather was delightful, and the green with its extensive improvements, in excellent condition. During the morning, a "Ferns Match" was played with Ngaroma representatives and Mrs. Earl. M'Kenzie was present to witness the game. Great interest was shown in the competitions, which, played under such ideal conditions, could not fail to be enjoyable. An excellent way of managing the golf croquet was that of drawing numbers to decide how players should meet, instead of choosing as is so often done. The "Fairy King" was extremely fascinating, and an excellent test for acquiring "touch." on a green. Mrs. RhodesWilliams was the guest of the club for the afternoon. r' The competitions were won as follows: .Golf, Mrs. Morton; French (Mrs. Bell); angles, Mrs. Easter-brook-Smith; fairy ring (Mrs. Robertson); and break (Mrs. Rhodes-Williams). Afternoon tea and the presentation of prizes brought a most sociable gathering to a close. Hard-up Party. Ngaroma Croquet Club's "hard-up" social, held on Saturday for the piano fund was a great success in every way. The members all wore fancy dresses, made from sugar bags, brown paper, etc. Mrs. Fairey (as Bill Sykes), and Mrs. Galvin, Mrs. Stickells, and Miss Stiekells, who all wore early Victorian frocks and fake faces, mystified everyone for quite a long time. Mr. and Mrs. Russell (as 'Arry and 'Arriett), arrived a little late and were so funny they caused shrieks of laughter. The prizes for the best "hardup" woman was won by Mrs. Galvin. The best "man" was Mrs. Wadsworth, who was dressed- as a swagger looking for work. Mr. Laurie and Mrs. Fairey got many votes 'as did Mr. Finch, another Bill Sykes, who caused a lot of fun. Dancing and games with songs were contributed by Mr, Russell, and recitations by Mrs. Sargissou (who was Charlie Chaplin in his Sunday best), Mrs. Russell accompanied her husband. Mrs. Fairey and Miss Stickells played the dance music. The supper consisted of saveloys, spring onions, radishes, biscuits, and cheese, and was enjoyed by all. The singing of Auld Lang Syne concluded a happy evening. Local Competitions. In the challenge match for thn Association Ferns, Mesdames M'Girr and Robert-

son were agaiu successful in defending the trophies against Mesdames Gillbanks and Wadsworth fNgaroma), the score being 2G-14. Lyall Bay is fifth and next on the list, and will be represented by Mesdames Rudkin and Hallum. M'Kenzie Cups. The fourth match in this competition was played between Mesdames Murphy and M'Donald (Waimarie) and Mesdames Short and Sunley (Kangimaire) last week, and the result was inadvertently omitted in this column. A very happy and interesting game resulted in a win for the holders by 6 points. The result of the Pollock Star game between Mesdames Robinson and Heeuan (Eastbourne) and Kelly and Taylor (Waimarie) set down for this afternoon will appear next week. A very interesting game is expected. All the players have this seasou emerged from the intermediate grade to take their place in the senior teams. King Brooches. Mesdames Parker and Cole (Waimarie) were not successful in their challenge against Woburu for these brooches, the home team, represented by Alexander and Barker, winning with a score of 26 to 18. The Tuesday weekly competitions for the A. E. Pollock Shield and Roberts Brooches (Wellington Club) will in future be run on Fridays, owing to the interclub games being changed from Thursdays to Tuesdays. Postponed Games. In the B grade match between Khandallah and Seatoun, Mesdames Wright and Griffiths defeated Mesdames Bell and Bedford, 26-S. Kelburn Club. The Yankee singles in the respective grades are now nearing completion, and the results of the A grade matches to date appear as under:— Mrs. Magill defeated Mesdames Spcnce, Wallis, and Palmer, and lost to Mesdames Gardner, Lowery, M'Crea, and Watkin. Mrs. Chetwih defeated Mesdames Lowery, M'Crea, Strickland, Spence, and Wallis, and lost to Mesdames Watkin, O'Dohnell, Pritchard, and Palmer. Mrs, Gardner defeated Mesdames Magill, Lowery, M'Crea, Strickland, Wallis, and Morrah, and lost to Mrs. Spence. Mrs. Lowery defeated Mesdames. Magill, Watkin,. Strickland, Spence, and Pritchard, and lost to Mesdames Chetwhv Gardner, M'Crea,. Palmer, aiid O'Donnell Mrs. M'Crea defeated Mesdames Magill, Lowery, Strickland,, Spence, and Pritchard, and lost to Mesdames Chetwin, Gardner, .Watkin, and Palmer. Mrs. O'Donnell defeated Mesdames Chetwin, Lowery, Watkin, Pritchard, and Palmer, and lost to Mrs. Wallis. Mrs. Len Watkin defeated Mesdames Chetwin, M'Crea, Strickland, Wallis, and Palmer, and lost to Mesdames Magill, Lowery, and Spence. Mrs. Strickland lost to Mesdames Chetwiu, Gardner, Lowery, M'Crea, O'Donnell, Watkin, Wallis, Palmer, and Moorah. Mrs. Spence defeated Mesdames Gardner, AVatkin, and Pritchard, and lost to Mesdames Magill, Chetwin, Lowery, and M'Crea. Mrs. Pritchard defeated Mesdames Chetwin; and Wallis, and lost to Mesdames Lowery, M'Crea, O'Donnell, Spence, and Palmer. - Mrs. Wallis defeated Mesdames O'Donnell, Strickland, and Palmer, and lost to Mesdames Magill, Chetwin, Gardner, Lowery, Watkin, and Pritchard. Mrs. Palmer defeated Mesdames Chetwin, Lowery, M'Crea, Strickland, and Pritchard, and lost to Mesdames Magill, O'Donnell, Watkin, and Wallis. Mrs. Morrah defeated Mrs. Strickland, and lost to 'Mrs. Gardner. Mesdames Pollock, 1?. Pope, Stone^ and Miss Lempfcrt have withdrawn. Ihese games are all-.played under handicap. Points Worth Noting. (1) It is quite permissable for a player to place the balls and direct a weaker or juuior partner how to strike them. In point of fact a player may do all but actually play the shot for the partner, but on no account must a p.'ayer receive advice or help during a game from anyone other than the partner. Onlookers should strictly refrain from proffering advice, or making audible comments on the game, as it is obviously both unfair and very disconcerting, to say the least. Ihis does not necessarily mean that'one is not permitted to applaud a good shot, oivthe end of a good break, or a clever piece of play. .As in other games, all that is asked is, consideration for .the. competitors themselves.' . (2) It is quite a mitaken idea which seems to prevail among many players that to touch the hoop iron with the mallet is a foul. It has never to the writer's knowledge ever been listed as a foul. A foul occurs when the mallet has not left the ball before the other side of the ball has touched the wire, thereby constituting a. "crush" which, being interpreted into simple language, means mallet, ball, and. hoop all in contact. But so long as the ball is struck cleanly with the end face of the mallet it matters not if the barrel, or the heel, or the shaft come in contact with the iron. Were the endface, (the part that strikes the ball) to hit the hoop and glance off on to the ball that, of course, could not be held to be a clean shot, for in reality it is a double shot, yet if the front face hits the hoop and the ball simultaneously, all is well. Nevertheless, one needs to be careful about striking the hoop with the back or heel of the mallet, for this often deflect* the aim, and.if tie mallet catches in any way causes a "push," which, is, of course, an undisputed foul shot. (3) A player may direct his partner to play to a given, spot on the lawn, and may for the purpose of guiding him hold his mallet or anything else for that matter to assist his taking aim. but vn pvi'l- nf any description shall be made on tilt lawn, and whatever is held io. ■<...'<, i ...- pose must be removed to the satisfaction of the adversary before the striker plays his shot. Transgression of this rule does not constitute; a foul, but the adversary has the right to have the ball replaced and may request the player to take the shot over again with the guiding object removed. (4) If, in trying to peel the partner-ball, it has lodged in the hoop on the croquet shot, and the striker smashes with his third stroke (first, roquet, second croquet, third free shot), which sends the peeled ball through, and over the boundary, and carries his own through as well, .the turn does not cease, neither is a roquet made. The points for both balls are of course scored, the front ball (not being sent off during the croquet shot) is replaced on the. line, and the striker then endeavours to roquet it, having made a point since he last took croquet from it. If, however, the peeled ball is sent boundary in the croquet stroke, even though the striker ball makes his own point. The hoop is : scored for both balls, but the turn ceases owing to ball being scut off | whilst taking croquet. Conyratulations. Kgaroma Club is deserving of the highest congratulations in its endeavour to assist the needy. Their latest effort resulted in £7 being handed over to the Unemployment .Fund. . . :