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CCA Grand Masters 80+

February 12, 2025Uncategorized2025, Croquet, newsJohn Yarrall

CCA Grand Masters 80+ AC and GC

The CCA Tournament Committee decided this season to do something outside the normal AC and GC events and decided to recognise players that have contributed many years to croquet and some a lot less years – with all over 80 years of age.

On Thursday 6 February at Cashmere Croquet Club, our host venue, saw 30 players arrive in fine warm weather ready for the day ahead.

A cuppa with sandwiches and biscuits started the day as players met each other for the first time or rekindled memories catching up with each other.

At 11am everyone was sent out onto the lawns with one group of 4 playing AC and 26 playing in their age groups. Janet Scott and Cheryl Morrall got everyone onto the correct lawns and kept count of the hoops scored. Age was no barrier to how competitive the games were – in fact in the 80 – 87 group 15 players are still competing in Interclub and CCA Competitions.

Our Gold group of 88+ years certainly did not give away hoops easily clearing the ball to the boundary when required.

Play finished after 2 hours and everyone was ready for the lunch being prepared by the chefs of the day Adrienne Pavelka and Gay Jones assisted the team of Cashmere members (Alison, Nicky, Janet, Sylvia). The chicken, corned beef, potatoes and salads were quickly devoured and everyone was then ready for the plum pudding, lemon tarts, meringues and syllabub.

This followed with prize giving for each of the 3 groups and recognition to the following players for their contribution to croquet – Margaret and Rodger Lane, Ray and Beryl Atkins, Julie Zohrab and Eleonor Okey with more than 30 years and John Yarrell with 20+ years. Vonnie owned the title of person closest to 95 years and also one of the most competitive on the day.

CCA would like to thank Travel 2U for their sponsorship of the event .
Gay Jones, CCA Tournament Convenor

CCA AC Grades

February 12, 2025Uncategorizednews, sportsJohn Yarrall

A fine weekend saw ideal conditions for the AC Grades this year, played at United Croquet Club. The number of players is concerning from an AC perspective, however, we did have 2 players competing in their first tournament. Congratulations to Carolyn Smith (Akaroa) and Cheryl Morrall (Fendalton).

The 18 – 24 Grade had 6 players enter and competed for the CCA Trophy and CNZ Silver Badge. The winner was Stuart Rich from Edgeware with 5 wins and 3 of those with maximum hoops. The runner-up Patsy Clegg from St James won over fellow club member Barbara Johnstone by a few hoops.

10 to 16 Grade not played as the two entrants decided to play up to ensure at least one of the grades went ahead.

4 to 9 Grade: Bruce McLay (United) got the win and Silver Badge over Sue Stott (Edgeware) who was playing up a grade. Thanks also to Lynne Corbett (St James) and Gaylene Jones (Cashmere) for also playing up to complete the field of 4

0 to 3.5 Grade: John Hearnshaw (United) and Carolyn Fordyce (South Canterbury) were joined by Leo van Oosten (Holmes Park) and Trish Dollan (South Canterbury) both playing up so that the grade play could go ahead. The winner John Hearnshaw was decided in the last round, winning against Leo van Oosten.

Well done to everyone and thanks to all for an enjoyable tournament. I certainly enjoyed filling in for Jono as the manager.

Detailed results are on Croquet Scores at https://croquetscores.com/2025/ac/cca-grades.

Gaylene Jones

18 to 24 Grade L – Patsy Clegg and winner R Stuart Rich

Left to right: Gay Jones, Trish Dollan, John Hearnshaw (front) Leo van Oosten, Bruce McLay (front) Carolyn Fordyce, Sue Stott (front) and Lynne Corbett“

CCA GC Advantage Doubles Tournament

January 27, 2025UncategorizedCroquet, news, sport, sportsJohn Yarrall

On Sunday 26 January, 16 teams met at Fendalton Park Croquet Club for the above tournament. Due to weather considerations, the original format of two blocks of 8 was changed to four blocks of four followed by a 16-point knockout, to hopefully complete the tournament in time.

Players were very pleased with the new format and there was a great atmosphere and anticipation of some good croquet. The four blocks were completed after mid-day, Vilna the manager then worked out the 16-point draw based on the block results and players took to the lawns again in lovely sunshine!

The first round of 16 was successfully played, with some interesting results. 8 teams were knocked out and the next round of quarter finals was played. Clouds were beginning to gather overhead. 4 more teams were knocked out and the semi-finals of Jenny and Chris Clarke against Betty and Louis Inglewood (both from United) and Jocelyn Partridge and Phyl Holland (St Martins) against Owen Evans and Dick Sainsbury (Cashmere) got under way.

The St Martins vs Cashmere semi-final was completed without hitch with Jocelyn and Phyl from St Martins taking the honours. However, part way through the semifinal of Jenny and Chris against Betty and Louis, the heavens opened and rain started. By the time they managed to finish, with Jenny and Chris taking the honours, the rain was coming down in earnest and there was thunder and lightning. At the suggestion of the manager, and in the interests of the safety of the players, both teams agreed to not play the final, but take equal first honours for the tournament. It was a lovely gesture of sportsmanship from the four players, and they are to be congratulated on their play throughout the day.

Altogether there was some great croquet, great socialising and a lot of good competition. Those who hadn’t played Advantage format before, soon picked it up.

Grateful thanks must go to Sylvia Macfarlane for being the referee for the day; to Mike Dawson from Fendalton for setting up the lawns, and to Cathy Hide from Fendalton for providing the morning and afternoon tea. Altogether, a successful tournament, with croquet winning the day in spite of the weather!

Full results are at https://croquetscores.com/2025/gc/canterbury-nz-advantage-doubles.

Vilna Gough-Jones
Tournament Manager

CCA GC Grades

December 6, 2024Uncategorizednews, sportsJohn Yarrall

The Grades tournament for those other than primary was held on 1^st December in warm conditions.

The Premiers completed seven rounds with some very close games. Logan McCorkindale (United) was the eventual winner with recent returnee from the US and Josh Freeth (North Shore) was runner up. Only two net points separated them, both having six wins.

There was a small field of four Intermediates after some late withdrawals. They began their double round robin with nineteen-hoop games. The first games lasted close on two hours so it was decided to reduce the games after Round 3. It was still a long day finishing after 5.00pm. Carolyn Smith (Akaroa) was declared the winner with Betty Inglewood (United) runner-up.

The Premier and Intermediate players were hosted at Fendalton Park, while the very respectable field of ten Seniors played at St Martins under the management of Gay Jones. Played in two blocks the round robins were nineteen-hoop games with the finals reduced to 13. The winner was Geoff Price (Cashmere), runner-up Mike Bunce (St Martins ) with Owen Evans (Cashmere) taking the third place. It was a late finish but they did get home before sunset.

Thanks to our host clubs, referees Sylvia Macfarlane, Tim Slack and Mike Dawson, and assistant managers, Grace and Janet.

Full results are on Croquet Scores at:
Senior: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/canterbury-nz-senior-grade-silver-badge
Premier: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/canterbury-nz-premier-grade-silver-badge
Intermediate: https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/canterbury-nz-intermediate-grades-silver-badge

Premier Grade winner Loan McCorkingdale (United)

Senior Grade:
Owen Evans, third (Cashmere), Geoff Price, winner (Cashmere), Mike Bunce, runner-up (St Martins)

Intermediate Grade winner Carolyn Smith (Akaroa)

CCA Doubles Advantage Croquet Tournament

January 30, 2024UncategorizedCroquet, news, sportsJohn Yarrall

The first CCA Doubles Advantage Croquet Tournament was held at Fendalton Park Croquet Club on Sunday 28 January 2024. There were 16 pairs from a number of Canterbury Clubs. The format of play was two blocks of eight as a round robin with winners in each block playing a finals for Overall winner and runner-up and the second placed in each block playing for third place. All results are on Croquet Scores.

The weather was good, all players arrived on time, but it was a very long day!! As one player said – “This was a marathon of croquet!”

Players liked the Advantage format of handicap play – every team won at least one game and many scores were 7-6 or 7-5. Most players had picked up by the second or third round how to determine the starting score, what pegs to take out, and how to keep the score during the game. And it was down to the last round to determine the top two teams in each block with some very good croquet being played.

Games were untimed (as recommended by WCF) but took longer than usual because: a) more hoops need to be run, b) doubles partners do have some discussions, c) double banking takes up time.

Games for each round averaged at 1.5 hours per game – by the time the game was played with double banking, AHS cards completed, and players had some refreshment. And there were 8 rounds played! Some refining of the tournament will happen for next season.

However, all credit to the players who entered. There was great sportsmanship throughout the day, a willingness to get out and keep things moving, and a number said they had learnt a lot during the day, and were much more confident about playing the Advantage format for handicap games. A big thank you must go to the catering team of Fendalton Park who provided a delicious morning and afternoon tea.

Thanks must also go to Mike for getting there very early and setting up five lawns. And of course to John Borner who was referee for the whole day and had a wonderful calm manner when called upon for a number of decisions during the day.

Congratulations must go to the winning team of Geoff Price and Lorraine Adam from Cashmere; the Runners up Jill and Alistair Smithies from United; and third place to Pat Pidgeon and Hanne Lelieve from Akaroa playing against Sarah Polson and Helen Webber from Hornby. All in all, a very successful day.

Detailed results are at https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/canterbury-nz-doubles-advantage

Vilna Gough-Jones
Tournament Manager