Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-07-10

CRoQuET MEMORANDA, FROM ALL QuARrERs-N
CLUBS AND NEW NoTiONs-dossIP ABOUT PLAY
Eis, ETC. ETC.
[5y Cur Cro1Wet Editor.l
The croquet season is fully inaugurated, and
an unusual interest is takenin'this pleasant game
among our people. The Clayton House club,
mention of which was made in these columns.
promises we'll. There Is but one drawback to
the success of the club and that is the sawdust
which is spread npon the floor is apt to be swept
away bv the ladies' dresses. The wearing Of
boomer costumes would obviate this trouble.
A new club is forming. the preliminary meet
ing having been held at the residence of one of
our citizens on the Lancaster pike last evening.
There are some pretty good players who propose
to attach themselves to this club and this sea-
son will make them quite expert.
The ebOnite balls, after seasons uRe, hold
h gh place in the estimation of our players. 1t
ls found that their durability is 30 great that
they are actually cheaper than the wooden balls.
Il ongh the first cost is very much higher. With
pro ,er usage in accordance with the Wilmington
rules, they will neither break nor bruise, and
their elasticity renders them more pleasant to
play with than any other kind, though some rude
players have been able to split them and render
them useless by indentations made by sharp
blows by the corners of their mallets.
The new thing" in mallets takes wonder
fully we'll. Several orders have been forwarded,
already, to the manufacturers, for them, and it
now seems likely that they will be generally used
about Wllmingto on, during the remainder of this
season. New players will probably maintain the
use OF the present mallets, but those who look
forward with ambitious eyes to the coming
"ult." which shall decide the championship OF
8 the city, will not be long iu adopting the new
mallet. For tine work, they are certainly supe-
iiOr to anything now In use.
In regard to the coming tilt" which shall
decide who is champion-when Is it too come
of There has been good deal OF banter and
buastug, in some quarters, but all seem afraid
to throw down the glove. Come, gentlemen
isn't it about time that we had something be-
sides talk"
The Wilmington Rules" adopted last sum
mer, have proved generally satisfactory. They
leave room however, for dispute about several
points of the game among others that OF using
two hands or but one. Do those rules rightly
interpreted allow of the two-hahd stroke ?
Yesterday two Of the Houth side experts lady
and gentleman. went to Germantown TO play Il
match game. We have not heard how severely
they beat their opponents
One Of the most graceful players is a we'll
known book seller on Market street. lie uses
the wrong arm, but generally strikes his ball in
the right place. He Is rather willing sometimes,
to sacrifice success for grace, and prefers play
ing beautifully to playing we'll This is not
Ineart as left-handed compliment
One Of the steadiest and coolest players in
town is in the ice trade. He uses a mallet with
q nlhe inch head, and plays well on any ground
No player can certainly be called the ''cham.
pon" until he has beaten this one.
We have seen no reason for reversing the
opinion given out last season, that no lady can
be very successful at this game, Ilere appears
to be want OF nerve, or strength OF arm, or ac-
cnracy OF stroke, or something else in the sex,
which dsables the ladies' from standing in rank
with gentlemen players We are sorry to be
compelled to make the admission.
And yet the ladies' will read the above para
graph, feel hurt" and declare it erroneous.
Would that we could have withheld the truth in
this instance.
As skill is acquired by our players, the wide
arches must go out OF use. On some fields in
the city already the arches are but sir inches in
width.
The SoHth-side players still hold to the prim-
tive custom of using only the hight croquet,
and mice game to them consists in oftenest
sending opponents balls to the farthest limits
Of the field on pile OF stones or amongst high
weeds into fence corner tbs is not croquet.
We have not heard OF any further successes
OF the gentleman whose accomplishments
we praised week or two ago. He has probl-
bly, been unable to find Anybody willing to play
him a match game.
We understand that CentrevIlle has some
very slillful players and that there is a standing
invitation to Wilmington to come out and try it's
mettle on DIR. Ohandlers field II any one
thinks Centreville is easily put down" let him
go out and try it.
Those somewhat skillful, and very confident,
gentlemen, who in former seasons, played on
Mr. Job. II. Jacksons grounds, are getting out of
practice, and drifting away from the champion
ship They should be careful, and not lose what
they have won of reputation and skill.
We hear that there is a remarkably good lady
player in the 9th ward. This is testified to by
an excellent gentleman player, connected with
city newspaper, who admits that he himself is
tee little and endeavor to attain greater
efficiency.
We may have some further notes in future
issues Of the COMMERCIAL.