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.

Heretaunga CC President Carrie Cooke and GC Open Singles winner Josh Winter.

Josh Winter & Paul Kaiser secured the Doubles Championship in two games 7:5 & 7:2..

CNZ Board Chair Graeme Roberts with Singles Winner Logan McCorkindale.

As part of prizegiving, Levi Franks won the Charles Jones Memorial Salver recognising the best player on a handicap of 0 or higher

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…

and runner-up Betty Inglewood.

Six clubs were represented at the Don Reyland Regional held at Cashmere Croquet Club on Sunday, December 7th. Held under Advantage Play conditions, the game puts real demands on the low handicapper. For example in just one game a player had to achieve 13 hoops before his opposition got 3. This game went to the fifteenth hoop and yes the player on -5 did win that game. The eventual winner at the end of the day was Betty Inglewood from United winning 4 of her 5 games, followed by Alec Astle on a countback after winning three games.

The original tournament was reduced to singles only with the doubles not attracting sufficient teams. Twelve players representing Canterbury, South Canterbury and Southland enjoyed the fine but windy weather on Sunday with the final two rounds played on Monday in cooler temperatures. After day one many of the players had won two games and it was all going to rest on the games on Monday. 

The winner from each block progressed to the final; congratulations to two of our new AC players Geoff Price and Carolyn Smith. Unfortunately most of the game was played in the rain with both players showing improvement and both changing handicaps.

 The winner of the tournament and bringing the trophy to Canterbury for the first time is – Geoff Price, Cashmere and well deserved runner-up Carolyn Smith, Akaroa. 

Congratulations to you both

Photo left to right: Raylene Phillips, Manager, Carolyn Smith, Geoff Price, and Gail Benseman, President South Canterbury 

Team Canterbury

The first tournament of the new season was played at Waireka Croquet Club, Ashburton on Sunday 21 September.

On Saturday afternoon there were high wind warnings across Canterbury which saw many calls and texts on Sunday morning to determine if it was safe to play and to travel. Fortunately most of the predicted weather had already moved further north and the day went ahead in fine sunny weather.

The day started with a cuppa and the sorting of the teams with one South Canterbury player don the red and black shirt so there were no byes or singles played.

Games were 2 hours and the winner would be the team scoring the most hoops – hard to get when you miss roquets or end up in opposite corners on the lawn. We did not start well and looking at results after round two it looked like Basil would have another year in the south.

Time for the results: Raylene (Manager) said after round 2 South Canterbury were 20 hoops ahead, HOWEVER, after round 3 South Canterbury finished with 203 hoops and Canterbury 223. WOW how did that happen!! Congratulations to all the players and Basil is back in Christchurch wearing his red and black scarf. The Ranfurly Shield is gone but croquet saves the day winning Basil 

The confirmed calendar for the 2025/26 season can now be viewed on the CCA website.