N.Z. CROQUET HAS LAGGED BEHIND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 270, 4 February 1928, Page 5

N.Z. CROQUET HAS LAGGED BEHIND

HIGH BRITISH STANDARD VISITORS’ OVERWHELMING WIN Press Association. WANGANUI, Friday. In croquet New Zealand has still a long way to go before the British standard is reached. This was shown in the test contest played by four visiting English players against the elect of the North Island here to-day. In 12 games the New Zealanders had not a solitary win, their opponents taking both the singles and doubles in straight matches. H. Murray (Hamilton) was decidely off his game in the first match against Sir Francis Wemyss, failing to score a point, but in the second game he steadied down and, although his play was repeatedly broken up by splendid long shots by his opponent, he made 15. The contest between Miss Steele and H. Stratton, 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, 26 —20. 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, Wellington. Playing brilliantly, he took the first game, 26 —0, and the second,222.6 —2. After winning the first game, 26—7, Miss Retallack was set a difficult proposition in the second by Archdeacon Creed Meredith, Wanganui, who required only three points against his opponent’s 12, but Miss Retallack, playing carefully, won 26—24. The test doubles match between Colonel du Pre and Miss Steele and R. Caughley and H. Penn was soon over, the former winning in two straight sets. In the first game the English player won, 26—0, their opponents getting only three shots, and in the second game the English' players w0n,222.6 —2. In the other doubles ma-ch Sir Francis Wemyss and Miss Retallack defeated the two Hawke’s Bay players, Stratton and Mrs. C. Watkins, 26 —19. The New Zealanders led in the early stages, but Miss Retallack got in and won round in one turn. Sir Francis getting a shot from one corner of the green to the other, finished the game off. The second game was taken by the English players, 2 6 — 12.