This article caught my eye and appeared in the Albany Advertiser in 1929 . I have retyped it for ease of viewing.
CROQUET DEFENCE (1929, August 31). The Albany Advertiser (WA : 1897 – 1954), p. 3. , from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70198425
By a C. C. Member.
Now that all the humor has died out of “Pork Pye’s” recent lament, and each croquet member has been duly criticised, one of the above members will venture to state a few facts.
Perhaps it was not so much what “Pork Pye” had to eat that caused the lament, for few men can claim ignorance of the sufferings of a mute and of women, who for twenty years or more have stood the test of heat and smoke to prepare a meal which takes the best part of the morning-for their lord and master, only to be met with, “No more just now, dear; got a match at 2 sharp,” and off he goes to some sporting field or other, while she remains behind and, with the aid of the family, tries to do justice to the half-eaten meal, greatly disappointed that sport should take first place in her husband’s life. She then sets to work, amidst the same heat and smoke, to clear away.
Then came the day of all days. Some one started croquet for ladies, and it is here, on the croquet lawn, that this poor, tired band of heroines spend their leisure hours, and it has been found to be a far more elevating pastime, for both body and mind, than entertaining in the drawing room, where, no matter how careful a hostess may be, a certain amount of gossip will creep in. But at croquet, never. Everyone is too keen on the game to think of other people’s business, and all are quite pleased to return to their duties, if not rested, much brightened in spirit. If any woman does not feel so, it can scarcely be regarded as a compliment to her husband.
It is generally thought that if “Pork Pye’s” lament were called a regret, it would be a more fitting name. Some time ago it was suggested that the Croquet Club be open to male members, but after a short discussion (very short) on the green, the suggestion was turned down; for after three years it had been proved that a sporting club can be successfully run, both financially and socially, without the aid of the men. All I suggest is that they form a male club and, meet the ladies (their wives whom they see so seldom at home) in open contest.
Croquet is a fine game, and it takes more than an “old woman” to play it. It may be interesting to the Sardinians to read that W. Langman, the male champion of croquet to-day, has to say about it. He writes : “To any unbigoted mind, I can give sufficient evidence that the game is one that calls for the very highest degree of skill, the most perfect cooperation of hand and eye in every stroke, and delicacy of touch is as essential as it is in billiards. There is no monotony about the game. Even two consecutive all round breaks are never played exactly alike: the approach to each hoop is absolutely different.
If skill is the essential factor in games, then croquet must take a high place, for no other outdoor game has such a perfectly accurate field of play where scoring of points depends upon fractions of an inch. Apart from the fascinating variety of strokes, follow through, stop shots, and top-spin, can nil be made with the mallet, as in billiards-the tactics of the game give quite as much interest as those of chess. When to shoot, and when not to shoot; where to lay the break, when giving “bisques” (extra turns), in a handicap; and many other intriguing situations occur which supply the tactician with plenty of scope for his mental skill.
That there is not sufficient exercise in croquet is a matter of opinion. I believe the pedometer will prove that during the game a player has taken quite a long walk. It is not a game for young men; it is not likely to be given a “half Blue” at the Universities. But for those who can no longer take violent exercise, and require a real recreation that will so absorb their minds that business and worries are forgotten, I can confidently declare that croquet is the game par excellence.
