INTERNATIONAL CROQUET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 26 July 1929, Page 8

INTERNATIONAL CROQUET

THE MACROBERTSON SHIELD AUSTRALIA ACCEPTS NEW ZEALAND'S CHALLENGE Croquet players of New- Zealand will lie, inteyeslvd to'leant) that Victoria, at, representing the Commonwealth of Ans.tval.ia,hap definitely accepted Neiv-Zaa lijjVd’s 'challenge, to play for the Mae lijobertaon International Shield, which if, 'meant into held by Australia. in making this' announcement-, Mr A.

Cl. F. Ross, president of the Croquet Council of New Zealand, points out, that, unlike most- games the contestants in ibis internalional .competition are chosen by ‘tins merit of Hie individual's play, ami arc not appointed by selectors. Contestants must have a handicap oi one and a half bisques or under. Players of this standard who are mouthers of an associated club will lie given an oppcs’tiinily of meeting each other on this Palmerston North lawns during the month of December when, two elimination contests will lie held, the first for ladies only and the second for players of either sex. Two players from Iho first and four, from the second of these competitive contests will he the players to represent' New Zealand against Australia. The Macßober-fson International Challenge Shield was presented by Mr MueRobertson, one of Australia’s most successful multi-millionaire manufacturers in 1925. During the English croquet season uf that year the Victoria Croquet Council sent a team to the Home Country to. compete for the trophy for the first time. England having defeated Australia became the holders. Subsequently (19213 season) Victoria challenged England and this time wore victorious, hence Australia became the holders of the coveted award. The New (Zealand Croquet Council thereupon challenged Victoria to play lor the Shield, and this challenge haying been accepted, croquet players will keenly await the result. New Zealand has a number of brilliant players, and if only the best six of those can spare the time to go to Australia and play in this historical event then the New Zealand team should stand a fair chance of victory. Thanks to the generous response of New Zealand croquet clubs for Hinds for the purposes of this international event I the. council have decided to send sixplayers to compete. As the contest will take place in Melbourne in January, 1930, New Zealand players will have at least two months in which to acquire form and there is little doubt that all eligible players will lake jllic fullest advantage'of this.