Croquet Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 15, 19 January 1933, Page 15

Croquet Notes

BY "CONCENTRATE"

COMING TOURNAMENTS. Dominion- Championships- (Lower Hutt), in progi-eo'Si ■• ■. . ■ : ■ ■ Wellington Tournament, 24th January. Wairarapa Tournament (JTeatherston)i sth February. ' Manawatu Tournament (Pnlioerston North),- 7th February. South .Canterbury Tournament (Tiniaru), 13th February. South Taranaki Tournament (Hawera), 15th February. Southern Hawkes Bay Toiirnamoiit (Danrievirko), J.sth Februavy. Hamiltou Toumamsnt, 27th February. Otago Tournament (Eunediii), 27th February. \ ' ' Hawkes Bay (Napier), 28th. February. ■English Association Gold and Silver Medals (Dunedin), sth March. Taranaki Tournament (Now Plymouth), 6th March. ■ . Interclub Matches. ■As most of the players are taking part in the Dominion tournament ut the Lower Hutt, practically no in'terclub matches were played this week. Next Week's Matches. The following is the draw for next week's matches:—A Grade: Wellington (1) v. Wellington (2), Central v. Waimarie (1), Kelburn (2) v. Kelburn (1), Mount Victoria v. Eastbourne, Hataitai (1) v. Islanc. Bay, Ngaroma v. Wobufn. B Grade: Kelburn v. Island Bay, Woburn v. Wellington, Eastbourne v. Waimarie, Jphnsonville v. Mount Victoria, Karpri v. Hataitai, Ngaio v.. Lyall Bay. Intermediate Grade: Karori v..Woburn, Mount Victoria v. Kelburn, Eastbourne ".v. Wellington, Ngaroma v. Waimarie^. Hutt v. Seatoun, Hataitai v. Central. ..' Pollock Stars. . '..' . One of the most closely contested games of the season for the Pollock Stars was that played last week between the challengers, Upper Hutt (Mesdame's Harper and Greig) and Mesdames Thomas and Moeller. All players did well, the shooting being a special feature.'of the game. The score was 26-19 in fayonr of the holders. North Island Tournament. •-■ • '.The following are, the complete results of the North Island tournamont, held at Palmerston North last week: — Open eh'ampionship: Mrs. W, E. Caldow (Wellington); runner-up, F. Harrison' (Wanganui). Ladies' championship: Mrs. J. Anstis (Takaro); runnerup, Mrs. E. Simpson (Takaro).' Championship doubles: Mesdames Anstis and Simpson (Takaro); runners-up, Mes-, dames Langf ord . and Bryan (Manawatu). Handicap doubles: F. Harrison and: Mrs. L. Basaett (Wanganui); runners-up, Mesdames. W. E. Uaiaow (Wellington) W. Lees (Waimarie). Handicap singles: Mrs. J. Anstis (Takaro); runner-up, Mrs. E. Simpson (Takaro).' Handicap singles: &' grade, Mrs. Sears (Manawatu); runner-up, Mrs. Patchett (Timaru). Dominion Tournament. Tho croquet interest •is at present centred on the Dominion touruey at the Lower Hutt, where splendid play is being witnessed day after day. The outstanding player is Mr. A. G. F. Ross, Christchureh (minus 3), who invariably triplo peels his partner's ball and pegs out. In several of the handicap games Mr. Ross finished the game so rapid,ly that:tho opponent was left with several bisques unused. Another player of outstanding'merit is Captain HartneJl,

of Now Plymouth, who makes a good second to Mr. Boss.. In the championship' doubles - with Mrs. D. 0. Henderson against" two strong players (Mesdamca Clark and Tiiigoy), Captain Hartnell double peeled Mrs. Clark's ball, pegging it out, leaving Mrs. Tingoy with eight hoops to make. This player showed a spirit of determination, getting in several long shots and eventually making four hoops before the opponentapegged out. Another good game was that played between Mr. Ross and Mrs. Caldow and •Mcsflamcs Watkins and Tiffen.'Mr. Boss peeling his partner's ball through four back and penultimate.' Mrs. Watkins at an early stage made a break to four back, and had it not been for the splendid execution of croquet by Mr. Ross, the Hawkes Bay player would in all probability have scored a success." ■■■-.-

Mrs. Masters (1J), Patea, met Mrs. r Caldoiv (minus J) in the first life of • the ladies' championship. Poth play- ' evs were up to form. Mrs. Caldow won the toss and toolc the lead, and after getting the shot, stuck in number one. Mrs. Masters then went to four back, laying a drive for the other ball. The ; opponent shot-in, going also to four i back. A little in-and-out play fol- • lowed when Mrs. Masters went round i with the other ball to penultimate. ■ At this stage the Wellington player . had one ball on rover and one at numI her-four, and Mrs. Masters, clips ■on i rover and-.penultimate. The former ; shot-in, going with the backward ball ..to the stick laying for rover. Mra. • Masters with the. next tuny .failed to • gain position-, when her opponent again . hit-in,-- finishing.26-21. ~>..:. , • Tarahaki Tourney. The' Taranakj'. croquet tourney promises to bo a most interesting ono, and I already a number of "Wellington players : have signified their intention of tak- . ing pnrt. Sovoial of the Taranaki ; Players are. at present'in Wellington, I and have assured competitors that-the [ lawns' areiri excellent condition, and t visiting players'should* haye no cause . to regret a trip to IsTew Plymouth. The tourner commences on 6th March, and entries should;be.a;6rdres"sed to Mi-s. A. . -8. Clark, Shortland. street,. New Plymonth. , Manawatu and Waira'rap a Tourneys. The Manawatu and Wairarapa tourneys_ are unfortunately' taking placie - 7r- thin' a few days of oaeh'other, the Manawatu one being ;set down for'sth February, ana Wairarapa on Bth February. . . ■■■'." ■ Wellington Crocxuet Association. The thirteenth annual tournament of . the Wellington Croquet Association ' T wll be held, at Wellington on the lawns of the Kelburn, Hataitai, Mount ; Victoria, and Wellington clubs, com- ( meneing at 9.30 on Tuesday,.24th January, and all entries should be seat ' immediately to Mrs. Earl McKenzio, 1 Maurice terrace, who will have the entire management of the tournament. It is anticipated that a number of the competitors now taking part in the- ' Dominion event will be staying over ! for the local championships; The following is a; list of the events:—(l) Open championship (best of three ! games), (2) ladies' associate champion-' . ship, (3) level singles, (4). hanaican . singles, (5) championship doubles, (6) elulv pairs, (7) handicap doubles, (8) . consolation handicap doubles. :■ A Quaint Definition. ;■ A writer in a magazine, giving a v .blifef of .^croquet, quaintly i States that it is "an open-air game, in .which two or more players endeavour to drive wooden balls, by. means of long handled mallets, ; through a series of /arches set in the ground,' acedfding to some pattern. The player, who makes the complete circle of the hoops or arches wins the match, but during the . progress of the game each player may have'the progress of her ball: retarded by her adversaries or. assisted by hey allies, and these friendly aids and hostile attacks constitute the1 chief interest in the game. It may be added that they afford opportunities for cleverness in movements and •in tactics and strategy. They may be- carried to a jgreat pitch of excellence, and it is.largely these movements by the pliyor that marks out the expert. A sehenio of operations to fit the occasion is at all times necessary for success." High Scoring. It is very amusing to hear the remarks and note the expressions on the faces of some of the , longcr-bisqued players, the scoro being' spoken of with bated breath. Such scores usually do occur between two short-bisqued players, and while it is a,much pleasante/ feeling to be the 26 scorer, there is no need to whisper Mrs. Nought's score. Hero are a few examples of such scores in one of the big. English tournaments played toward the- end of the English season. Many readers will remember Miss D. D. Steele's wonderful and unequalled performance of winning the three big trophies, and,; like the spectators at Lewes, will be surprised to read that' she was' put out in the first round of the open singles (best of three games) sby, Mr.-N.Oddie. Mr. Ocldie boat: Miss Steele;'26-13 and 26-1. In the same round t>. ; L.' Josephs beat D. Hamilton-Miller, 17-26, 26-0, and 26-1.: In the second round Mr. Oddie went" out 16-26 and Josephs beat H. B. Duriiso'ri 26-0 and 26-0. > Josephs went out in the next round 10-26 arid 4-26. So if you were-Mrs. • Nought do not be downhearted;. it is quite likely that yoxi will get in with a couple of good breaks, a triple peel, and be Mrs. Twenty-six, next time. Notes on Play. .""."■: In the game between Mrs. Brass and Mrs. Palmer in the. ladies' championship, both contestants were Jlaying v,ery well. Mrs. Brass was laid up for the stick, and Mrs. Palmer with one hoop to make hit in, made her last hoop, and left a long shot for Mrs. Brass, who picked up and pegged out. The score resulted 26-24 in Mrs; Brass's

: Crisp, Juicy > GRAVENSTEIN APPLES ■ ' now on sale for a limited period. One of tho finest of the early eating varieties. Excellent cooker, too; Delightful flavour. Ask for "DOMINION MARK"