Golf Croquet Pennants News (Kate McLoughlin) The Canberra Division 2 and Division 3 Golf Croquet Pennants teams began their 2018 round of matches on Friday 7 April. Both teams are playing in the Southern region of NSW against Wollongong, Jamberoo and Nowra. We both play a home and away fixture against each of the teams in the region. Each fixture comprises 2 singles and 1 doubles best of 3 matches. Competing in Wollongong were: Division 2*: Simon Fisk, Mark Scruton, Judy Tier and Sorina Atkin. Division 3*: Craig Oxley, Pam Cohen, Helen Scruton, Edward Houghton. Referee Adrienne Fazekas and Div 2 Captain Kate McLoughlin accompanied the teams. Singles were played first, with both Div 2 players defeating their Wollongong opponents, Mark in 2 (7-4, 7-5) and Simon in 3 (6-7, 7-3, 7-4). Judy and Sorina had a great opening game win, but went down in 3 (7-3, 4-7, 5-7) In the Division 3 comp, Wollongong won all 3 contests, despite some lovely play by Canberra. The doubles team of Helen and Edward won the first game, but went down 7-6, 5-7, 4-7, with some starry shots played by all in this game. Pam and Craig both had some lovely shots, but it was not their day in the singles. The competition continues through April into May, with finals being held in Sydney in June, with the winning club from each region competing for the NSW pennants titles. Matches will be played in Canberra on Friday 20th April against Jamberoo, and Sunday 22 against Wollongong. Club members are encouraged to come and support the home teams. Simon Fisk contemplates his options, referee Adrienne Fazekas and Wollongong s Robyn Wilson look on. Sorina Atkin plays a shot watched by partner Judy Tier and referee Adrienne Fazekas. Edward Houghton and Helen Scruton playing doubles with referee Chris Christopher.
NSW Men's GC Championship (Peter Freer) Ralph Richardson had a stellar introduction to the NSW Men s GC Championship at Tempe 6-8 April 2018. Ralph topped the block with 10 wins from 12 games, and then took a game off eventual winner, John Levick in his semi-final. Ralph picked up a net 118 index points, and is now a GC 2. Peter Freer also played, but finished mid-field, lost 48 index points and popped the end off his mallet he had to play the rest of the tournament with the end sticky taped back on to avoid being disqualified for having an asymmetric mallet. Pictured are the 2018 NSW Men's GC semi-finalists L to R are David Woods (3rd), John Levick (winner), Ralph Richardson & David Hanbidge (2nd) Hirings Hirings generate a significant income stream for the Club which helps keep annual membership fees low. The hiring coordinator is seeking additional volunteers who would be available to supervise hiring sessions through the year. Hirings tend to be for 1-2 hours. Training will be provided. Please contact Andrew Davies (hirings@canberracroquet.org.au) if you can help out. Note from the Treasurer (Linda Freasier) With the end of the Croquet Club s financial year (31/5/18) not far away, work is currently being done on next year s budgets. Increases in member numbers have helped the Club s financial position improve a little in 2017-18. Member fees are only kept low, though, with the active support of members to assist in so very many areas. These include hirings, committee roles, working bees, court maintenance, procurement, tournaments, coordinate events, etc etc. Members who attend the AGM and participate one way or another during the year provide needed support for our Club. Please come to the Annual General Meeting Saturday 7 July EE Editorial I have decided to step down as editor of the Rocket. Having done the job for a while now, I am ready to pass it on. I am sure with the large influx of new members we can find somebody with the requisite interest. I am grateful that Stephen Richards does such a good job in keeping the membership in touch with playing matters at the club which is, after all, the main reason for the club. Thank you for everybody (particularly Peter Freer, Glenn Whitehead, and Stephen Richards) who have been of such great assistance. Ben Freasier, benfreasier@gmail.com
CNSW Golf Croquet Div 3 Singles and Doubles Tournament (Judy Tier) The Tournament was hosted by Canberra Croquet Club and played over 5 days from March 5 to March 9. Nine pairs registered for the Doubles with three from Mosman, one from EDSAAC and five Canberra pairs. It was refreshing to see more than half the field playing in their first tournament. Winners: Julie Toms and Jill Jones (Canberra) Runners Up: Mark and Helen Scruton (Canberra) All games were played in very pleasant Canberra Autumn weather. The field for Singles was reduced to six after the withdrawal of a previous Doubles player due to medical problems. This meant the players had more byes and fewer games needed to be double- banked. After three days of Singles the Winner was Mark Scruton (Canberra) whose handicap went from a 10 through 9 to 8. Mark and Helen have been with Canberra Croquet Club (CCC) for two weeks and hail from East Brisbane. The Runner Up was Craig Oxley (Canberra). It was an exciting finish with the final round determining positions. Special thanks to Peter Freer, tournament referee and Adrienne Fazekas, referee who managed play every day and ensured the tournament went smoothly. Thanks also to all CCC members who volunteered their time and cooking skills to contribute to a successful five days of competition.
Tavendar Gateball Cup (Stephen Richards) Glen and I managed to scrape into the Final and won that. A very hot and windy day - quite exhausting for me and probable Tony Hall and Peter Tavender being the elderly gentlemen of the comp - 6 games over 9 to 3.30pm in the heat and dry wind. Motley Members prepared for Win Trophy for the Aged (Peter Free & Simon Fisk) John Grattan (a past CCC Trophy Officer) reminded Peter Freer that there is a trophy (Mavis Boswell? Jug?) on which we engrave the names of each CCC member who reaches 70 years old. Has anyone seen it? If so, please contact Peter or Simon.
Broken Mallet Trophy (Peter Freer) Canberra successfully defended the "Broken Mallet" trophy at the Aust Gateball Champs at EDSACC in Oct 2017. This trophy commemorates the kindness shown by McIlwraith CC to Canberra gate ballers after several of their mallets broke just before a tournament in Brisbane. The Broken Mallet is up for contention whenever these Clubs now meet in competition. 2017 Australia GC Handicap Championship (Peter Freer) Peter Freer & Kate McLoughlin (Canberra CC) won the Doubles in the 2017 Australian Golf Croquet Handicap Championship. played at Deniliquin CC on 6-7 Nov. Runners-up were Kaye Moffat (Albury CC) and Brian Rowe (Essendon CC). Andrew & Margo Davies also played in the Doubles, winning 4 of their games. This year there were 21 pairs in the Doubles, with handicaps ranging from GC -2 to 9, so lots of extra turns were usually involved - this was the first national event using the wider handicap range adopted by Australia in April 2017. Deniliquin turned on perfect weather - cool in the morning & sunny afternoons, and the nine courts meant double-banking was kept to a minimum.deniliquin also turned on an excellent Melbourne Cup luncheon during the event. Deniliquin is unable to host this event again in 2018, so bids are welcome from interested Clubs (with endorsement from your State association). Please contact events@croquet-australia.- com.au if you want to discuss what is involved." 2017 Australia Handicap Singles (Peter Freer) Ralph Richardson proudly holds the Plate
President's AC Eights (Peter Freer) Stephen Richards finished a close second in the Second AC Eights with 8 wins, behind veteran Pete Landrebe on 10 wins. Nick Chapman was sixth with 2 wins. Alan Honey finished first in the Third Eights with 9 wins. Tim Murphy finished seventh with 6 wins, in a fairly level competition. Robert Fletcher won the First Eights undefeated, with 14 wins, despite competition from veteran Stephan Forster on 9 wins, rising star Ed Wilson on 8 wins, and Malcolm Fletcher on 8 wins. Local Jim Nicholls (Wagga) was fifth with 6 wins. Twilight Croquet Ringer (Peter Freer) Alex Freer, who moved to Penrith, returned to Canberra and played Twilight GC on Wed 11 Oct. Alex ran 6 of the 7 hoops that she & her father scored against Gerda & Ginny, including running the 13th from the border near the Club house, after Peter promoted her ball a trifle too enthusiastically from hoop 12 John Grattan John Grattan, a long time stalwart of the club, has unfortunately struck a patch of poor health, but is seemingly on the improve. He enjoys seeing visitors. If you are interested in visiting John, he is currently living at Goodwin Homes in Monash. If he is not in his room, you can often find him in the cafe. It would probably be prudent to contact Yvonne Grattan before visiting in case he has something on.