The AC Grades were held on the 31 Jan and 1 Feb in warm pleasant weather for croquet at United Croquet Club.

There were 4 Grades, of which 2 grades  played for Silver Badge only as there were not enough players, and 2 grades where Silver Badge was played for with also the right to be crowned Champion of the Grade.

The 0-3.5 was a best of 3 between Roger Murfitt and Carolyn Fordyce of South Canterbury, with only Roger eligible for silver badge if he won.  With Roger winning the first game pegged out, it looked ominous for Carolyn with Roger playing well. But Carolyn came back to win the next 2 games to deny Roger a silver badge, in a 9 hour battle.

The 10-16 was also played as a best of 3 between Gay Jones and Stu Rich.  But this time 3 x 2.5 hour games.  With Gay winning the first one in reasonable fashion over Stu, again the pressure was on Stu to win the next 2 games, which like Carolyn he also managed to do.

The 4-9 and 18 – 24 were both played as a double round robin 3x 2.5 hour games.

The first day belonged to Jonathan Hart (4-9) and Carolyn Smith (18-24) winning all their games, with the pressure on the other players to come back and for Jonathan and Carolyn to maintain their form on day 2.

Jonathan Hart ended up winning the 4-9 comfortably, winning all his games with 1 peg out and several close attempts, with the runner up Owen Evan winning 3 games.

The winner of the 18-24 was not decided until the last round with Carolyn Smith and Ayelen Tayagui having won all their games on the final day.  The pressure was on Ayelene to win to force a count back as both would have lost to each other.  Ayelene managed to do the win, so ended up winning comfortably on net hoops. with Carolyn being runner up.  A special mention also goes to Sarah Polson who was playing her first AC games, where I think she got better as the tournament went on, and also managed to get 2 wins.  Well done Sarah!

I would encourage more people to enter next year as you will be playing people in your own grade and you never know you might surprise yourself.

A big thank you to United for the excellent lawns which were pretty consistent.

Jonathan Hart ( Manager)

Full results can be found on Croquet scores

🔴⚫Canterbury (NZ) AC Grades – Croquet Scores

Jonathan Hart after receiving the trophy from CCA President Gaylene Jones.

Ayeline Tayagui and Manager Jonathan Hart.