CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 19782, 4 February 1928, Page 17

CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIPS

ENGLISH PLAYERS TOO GOOD [Pea United Peess Association.] WANGANUI, February 3. In the realm of croquet New Zealand lias still a long way to giV before the British standard is reached, this being evidenced in the test contest played by the four visiting English players against the elect of the North island here to-day. In twelve games the New Zealanders ! had not a solitary win, their opponents taking both singles and doubles in straight matches. H. Murray, of Hamilton, was decidedly off his game in the first class against Sir Francis AVemyss, failing to score a. point, but in the second game he steadied down, and, although his play was repeatedly' broken up by the splendid long shots by his opponent, he made 15.

The contest between Miss Steele and H. Stratton, of Hastings, gave promise of an interesting match -when the New Zealander made an early round, but his opponent soon took, possession, and playing faultlessly, won the game, 2620. The second game was a walkover for Miss Steele, who pegged out both balls before Stratton had made a point. Colonel du Pre quickly accounted for R, Caughley, of Wellington, playing brilliantly, and taking the first game, 26-0 and the second, 26-2. After winning the first game, 26-7, Miss lletaillack was sot a difficult proposition in the second by Archdeacon Creed Meredith, of Wanganui, who required only 3 points against his opponent’s 12, but all hopes that the North Island -would win one game vanished when Miss lletaillack, playing carefully, -won, 26-24. The test doubles match between Colonel du Pre and Miss Steele and Messrs 11. Caughley and H. Penn was soon over, the former -winning in two straight sets in the first game. The English players won, 26-0, their opponents getting only three shots, and in the second game the English players were again superior, winning, 26-2. In the other doubles match Sir Francis- AVemyss and Miss lletaillack defeated the two Hawke’s Bay players, Stratton and Mrs C. Watkins, 26-19. The New Zealanders led in the early stages, but Miss lletaillack got in and won round in one turn, and Sir Francis getting a shot from one corner of the green to the other, finishing the game off. The second game was taken by the English players, 26-12.