Goulburn Valley Croquet Association Champion of Champions
Club champions from five clubs in the Goulburn Valley Croquet Association met at Rich River on Wednesday, March 16, to compete in the GVCA's Association Croquet Champion of Champions event.
Players from Echuca-Moama, Mooroopna, Numurkah, Rich River and Shepparton played for the privilege of representing the Goulburn Valley in the Victorian Regional Championships in April.
The regionals are hosted by a different association each year and this year's host will be the Gippsland Croquet Association with games being played at Traralgon and Morwell Croquet Clubs.
Competition was fierce with results in each division coming down to the last game.
Kenn Boal from Rich River played brilliantly in division 1, taking the honours with Kevin Maloney of Shepparton runner-up.
Three players competed in division 2 and coming into the last game Russ Smyth of Rich River and Cheryl O'Dwyer of Numurkah had won two games each. In the last game, Russ took the title with Cheryl runner-up in the division.
Division 3 was won by John Young of Shepparton, and runner-up was John Alstin of Echuca-Moama after four players competed in a round robin.
Division 4 also had four players in a round robin event, and Dave Maher of Rich River took the win ahead of Jeanette Young of Mooroopna.
The day was enjoyed by the players and spectators who were treated to an entertaining day of croquet.
Rich River Croquet Club provided a delightful afternoon tea which was followed by trophy presentations by GVCA's president Lea Grant.
Thank you to the organisers, referees, hostesses and all who contributed to a successful and most enjoyable day.
Rich River
Thursday, March 10:
Autumn pennant saw the team of Raewyn Taylor, Helen Brierley, Greg Brierley and Cherie Lessing head to Euroa to take on Anne Murray, Bob Holloway, Kevin Miller and Judy Holloway.
After the singles, Rich River was ahead 5 games, 51 hoops to 3 games, 38 hoops. Rich River was able to win all four doubles to win the day 9 games, 79 hoops to 3 games, 55 hoops. Raewyn and Helen came from behind to win their doubles game for the second week in a row.
Tuesday, March 15:
Tuesday was the first day of association Champion of Champions division 2, Autumn Pennant and social play for golf croquet.
In the association matches Russell Smyth from Rich River, Lyle Carey from Mooroopna and Cheryl O’Dwyer all won a game each.
The pennant game was against Deniliquin and the Rich River players, Raewyn Taylor, Helen Brierley, David Ryant and Greg Brierley produced some excellent skills to defeat the Deniliquin team of Lee Barry, Terry Murphy, Ray Moye and Brian Dudley 7 games, 70 hoops to 5 games, 65 hoops.
Social play had six players enjoying the atmosphere and practising these tricks for the Golf Croquet Championship happening on Thursday and Friday.
Echuca
Friday, March 11:
Ten players arrived to play three games, with the last game being our well-loved King Ball.
Jill Graham won all three games with a plus 7. Lyn Keillor won all three games with a plus 5.
Jump shots for the day went to Jan Tracy and Lyn Keillor.
Monday, March 14:
Twenty players and guests arrived to play in nice sunny conditions.
Winners for the day included John Graham winning three games with a plus 10 and Jeff Pumpa winning three games with a plus 7.
The only jump shot for the day was to John Alstin.
This Saturday from 10am we will be running Our EMCC information stall out front of the Echuca Library. Please come and ask questions, all age groups are welcome.