The CCA GC Open Doubles tournament was held on Sunday 12^th at Cashmere Croquet Club. Following heavy dew the day turned sunny and warm, cooling down as play continued into the early evening.

Four doubles combinations entered, and the format was a best of three round- robin with the potential for nine games. As it turned out each combination played eight so it was a big day at the office.

Geoff Price (United) and Helen Webber (Hornby) combined to be a winning combination. Not having played together before they soon got to know each other’s play and surprised with a 7/5, 5/7, 7/6 win over St James combination of Jono Hart and Marguaritte Rogers. Both had their chances at the thirteenth, with Geoff taking it with a short, angled jump shot.

Meanwhile on the other lawn the Barrington pairing of Rachael McLeod and Marie McDonald had a shock 7/6 win over Gay Jones (Cashmere) and Sue Cleveland (Geraldine) in the first game. Gay and Sue prevailed 7/4, 7/4 in the next two games to take the match.

Round 2 was a quicker affair with Jono and Marguaritte overcoming Rachael and Marie in two games, 7/4, 7/4. Geoff and Helen again surprised with 7/6, 7/1 wins over Gay and Sue.

With two matches under their belt Geoff and Helen were leading the tournament when they faced Rachael and Marie in the final round but needed a match win if the winner was not to be decided on a countback. The Barrington girls took the first game 7/3 and Geoff and Helen followed up with a similar score in game 2. Taking the third game 7/5 they ended the day with three match wins and the title. Gay and Sue, after winning their match with Jono and Marguaritte, were runner–up.

Scores are on CroquetScrores at https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/cca-open-doubles

Cheryl Morrall