Croquet Victoria
Advancing Croquet in Victoria

News

Earlier news

2016-10-03

Morwell hosts croquet singles tournament

At the beginning of October Morwell Croquet Club held their third golf croquet tournament in as many months welcoming players from across Gippsland, Monash, Rosebud Village Glen and Frankston clubs.

Players were divided into three sections according to their handicaps with a section playing each day.

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2016-09-25

Albury's first GC doubles tournament a huge success

Bunting, marquees, country hospitality and enormous enthusiasm featured at Albury CC's inaugural GC doubles tournament. Twenty-eight people entered, from Queenscliffe to Canberra and Wollongong to Rich River. There were ten players on the waiting list and over $1000 in prize money, donated by generous sponsors.

The tournament was structured as two separate competitions over three days. It began on the Friday with a level play competition in two blocks, 0 to 7 and 8 to 10. This was followed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday by handicap play, also in two blocks, with high-low pairs and a tense final between the block leaders.

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Current news

News Date: 2016-10-10
Posted by: John Grieve
Posted on: 2016-10-16
News Type: Association

President's Eights battle through gale force winds

The Australian AC President’s Eights were conducted at Cairnlea over the weekend 7 to 10 October.  This event is among the most prestigious of all events for Association players in Australia.  It attracts the best players from all over Australia.  

This year, as well as great games, we had challenging weather.  With wind gusts of over 100km/h on the Sunday all players were put under great pressure.  As the wind built it was obvious play would be curtailed. 

 

Brian Reither decided to halt play in the early afternoon and by 4 pm it became apparent the wind would not be abating.  Play was suspended; games were pegged down and were to resume at 7.30 am on Monday.

The extreme conditions did not deter the players from playing great croquet.  The courts were very challenging but still players complete many triple peels and some excellent shots were made.

The format of three blocks of 8 of the highest seeded players available to play and a further 8 of the next group of women provides for enthralling games.  And we were not disappointed this year.

The First Eight was won by Robert Fletcher.  Each match was a best of three.  Robert won all his 7 matches dropping one game to Simon Hockey on the last day.  In his 15 games Robert completed 12 triple peels.  His games with Simon were of a very high quality with Simon taking the first game 26TP to 0.  Runner Up was Malcolm Fletcher who lost only to his brothers - Robert and Greg.  In his 15 games he won 10 to finish ahead of Greg and Dwayne McCormack with 4 matches each.  The lost time on Sunday caused the match between Greg and Simon to be uncompleted.  Too much time had been lost on Sunday to enable the games to be finished before Simon had to fly out.  

The Second Eight was won by Kevin Beard with 11 wins in the double round robin programme.  In winning the event Kevin lost one game only - to Alan Honey.  Runner Up was Claire Bassett with Rod Kirk finishing third ahead of Stephen Richards in fourth place.

The Third Eight was also played as a double round robin and at the end of Monday Kenn Boal, Jannine Hawker and Chris Grant had all won 9 games.  As there were three players equal on games it was not possible to have a play off in the time available.  The event was awarded to Kenn  with Jannine runner up and Chris third.  Kenn was 21 hoops to the good of Jannine.  

The Women’s Eight was another close encounter.  At the end of the day Gail Hopkins and Virginia Arney played a final game to determine the winner.  Virginia got up by 1 hoop after a hard fought game.  

All players are to be commended for the spirit of the competition and for the excellent croquet displayed.  It was unfortunate that some blocks were not able to be played all the way as planned.  In all cases a fair result, given the circumstances, was achieved.  Brian Reither, Tournament Manager, did an excellent job keeping the event moving.  The conditions on Sunday were among the worst one could imagine.  The wind was gusting and made play impossible.  

To Brian and the referees who made everything work we are all indebted.  The friendship, spirit of competition and excellent croquet made for a most interesting weekend.  It will be a long time before it is all forgotten!

John Grieve

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Later news

2016-10-16

Close results at Williamstown Div 1 AC Tournament

Williamstown Croquet Club conducted its Annual Tournament over the weekend.  Eight players, including 6 from the State Squad, completed a round-robin over two days. 

Going into the final round Simon Watkins and Kevin Beard were undefeated.

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2016-10-23

Divisionals defy the weather

Through wind, rain, hail, cold and pale sunshine - the 22 players in the Divisional Championships did not bat an eyelid….they all played on and on and on.

Such is the stoicism of croquet players - where all over Melbourne many others sports called it a day and headed for the warmth of their lounge rooms - we battle through.

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