An annual event held at Waireka Club involving 12 players from each region covering handicaps 0 – 11. The sunny weather was appreciated and made for a great day of croquet.
This event is played with senior, intermediate and primary players playing in mixed doubles teams followed by graded singles. A format that allows a lot of learning for the higher handicap players. During the final round it became clear that the winner would be decided during the last 2 games – Canterbury needing both wins to win by net hoops and South Canterbury requiring 1 win to win outright.
Congratulations to South Canterbury now the holder of ‘Larry the Lamb’ trophy until next year.
Canterbury players represented Broadfield, Cashmere, United, St Martins, Akaroa and Holmes Park .
This event was held at Waireka Croquet Club on Saturday and Sunday in fine weather against all predictions of rain on Sunday.
Five Associations were represented – Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Marlborough and Nelson. To eliminate a bye round an Invitational team was included consisting of 3 x Canterbury and 1 x South Canterbury players.
The format of alternate singles and doubles across 5 rounds was enjoyed by all players with round 6 being a playoff for all places. Canterbury finished top and unexpectedly played the Invitation team for the trophy with Canterbury proving too strong and kept their unbeaten record for the tournament. Well done to Canterbury back to back winners in this event .
Canterbury team: Josh Winter, Jonathan Hart, Geoff Price and Ayelen Tayagui.
Invitation team: Owen Evans, Kevin McGlinchy (Timaru), Gay Jones and Carolyn Smith with the winning Canterbury team.
A well supported tournament with full fields utilizing the 5 lawns at Fendalton. Fields consisted of players from Wakatipu and Geraldine Clubs and players new to this tournament.
Our changeable summer weather did not let us down – sun, rain and cold winds.
Thanks to all players and the referee who braved the elements later in the day.
The competition was played to a high level with many games being played to the 13th hoop.
Congratulations to the following
Senior Grade: Ian Ruddenklau, (Wakatipu Club)
Runner Up: Betty Inglewood, (United)
Intermediate Grade: Jill Smithies, (United)
Runner Up: Ian Bain,( Broadfield)
CNZ Silver Badges will be presented to the following players at CCA Prize Giving: Betty Inglewood and Jill Smithies.
Winner Senior Grade, Ian Ruddenklau with Manager Gay Jones.
Winner Intermediate Grade Jill Smithies with Manager Gay Jones.
Six entries formed a high class field arriving at Holmes Park on Sunday 1st March and although the weather was fine in the morning, a few light showers passed through before steady rain set in accompanied by a decent southerly to make the conditions distinctly unpleasant for the last round or two.
For the first four rounds, nobody really gained the upper hand with the leading contenders all losing one of their games and we entered the final round with three players on three wins, Levi Franks, Josh Winter and Paul Kaiser, all with a chance of claiming 1st place.
Levi had the superior net hoops score having beaten Paul quite convincingly in round 3 after Jason Hodgett had ‘poked the bear’ by beating Levi in Round 2, and Levi finished it off by winning his round 5 game and taking 1st place and the Silver Badge for the grade. Paul Kaiser finished in second place and Josh Winter in third.
Chocolate fish goes to Jason who, despite finishing in fourth place, scored more hoops than anyone else with his 3 losses all being 9-10.
Well done to all the players for playing through some challenging conditions, including Jono Hart from St James and good to see the up and coming Max Philpott from Gore.
The GC Primary Grades was held on Sunday 22nd February in warm conditions at Cashmere and Barrington. With eighteen players, two blocks of six played a round robin at Cashmere, with the third block playing at Barrington.
Winners of each block alongside the next top qualifier played a semi final and final at Cashmere. The eventual winner was thirteen year old Isaac Conolly (Cashmere) defeating Alison Lowe (Cashmere)7/4 . Third place went to Wayne Thomas from Broadfield.
Wayne Thomas, Isaac Conolly and Alison Lowe with Manager Cheryl Morrall.
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.
The tournament was held on Sunday in very warm conditions and at times blustery winds, however, this did not help those who liked to cast. We welcomed the brief break in play when rain, thunder and lightning decided to pay a visit. Thankfully the lawns drained well and the tournament proceeded without further delay
Thanks to the players and St Martins Club for ensuring everyone kept well hydrated. All players got to play 6 games with the top 4 playing 7 in total.
The tournament attracted 16 players with a waitlist of 3 players and the consensus is for CCA to hold this event again next year. It was great to have players from Auckland, Gore and Mid and South Canterbury make the journey.
Congratulations to the players who lowered their handicaps
Group photo of the 16 players
Placegetters photo: L to R: Manager:Janet Scott, Third place: Teresa Ponsonby (Waimate), Winner: Gay Jones (Cashmere), Runner-up: Melba Scott (Takapuna) and Winner of the Top finishing 7+ player: Sarah Polson (Hornby)
The Advantage Singles for players with handicaps -6 to +6 was held at St Martins Croquet Club on December 14th and attracted five entrants. In the morning the venue was shared with eight players from the other division.
Double banking was necessary until mid afternoon, and with nineteen point games there were a few hold ups. Added to that every player had a bye during the day. The tournament went down to the wire with the winner determined in the last game. Peter Entwistle took the final game from Betty Inglewood with a 10/5 win, making him a clear winner with 3 wins. Betty was runner-up with 2 wins on a countback from Josh Winter and Owen Evans.
St Martins’ lawns were beautifully presented, and the hospitality was much appreciated by management and players. Thanks to Sylvia, who was our friendly and informed referee.
Cheryl Morrall ( Manager) and winner Peter Entwistle…
Croquet Canterbury 