THE Kyabram Croquet Club held its first social day for the year on January 29 on what was a very hot evening.

Players from Echuca-Moama, Mooroopna, Numurkah and Shepparton travelled across to play either association or golf croquet.

There were three small courts set up for golf croquet and one court for association to accommodate 28 players and allow for more people to be playing at the same time.

Association players chose to play doubles, one before and one after the dinner break of approximately two hours’ duration.

The golf players had two games, double-banked, before and after the meal break. These games were timed to 50 minutes each or the first to 13 hoops.

Even though it was very hot there was still a lot of close games.

After the meal break in a cool clubhouse the players took to the courts once again.

The lights were turned on for better playing conditions when it was noticed that one light had blown on court three, which created a dark corner as the game progressed.

Just before the third game of golf croquet finished, all three lights on the Church St boundary failed.

Players were still able to finish their game but they decided not to continue with the fourth game.

Association players were not disadvantaged as they still had two lights covering their court. These players chose to cut short their second game so that everyone could retreat into the clubhouse and enjoy a nice supper together.

The switchboard had overheated and the lights were able to be turned back on later when all visitors had gone home.

Association croquet winner was Lyle Carey from Mooroopna, winning both games.

Golf Croquet winner was John Alstin from Echuca/Moama, winning all his three games, seven hoops more than his nearest rival and club member, Trevor Peters.

After an eventful night Kyabram members were very pleased to go home earlier than expected

The croquet holiday program introduction sessions finished with a twilight match on January 31.

It was played in much better conditions, with the temperature dropping 10-20 degrees since Tuesday’s sweltering social night.

Players were running around looking for jackets to keep warm as the winds kept up. It was great to see a few more players return after the heat.

From February 7, normal twilight will commence again and run until the end of daylight savings. New players are welcome to join and will be paired with some of the regular players to help them learn the sport.

WCF rules for golf croquet fifth edition are now approved and after a session on January 28, members of the Kyabram Croquet Club were taken through the changes.

Playing twilight for the next few weeks will help us all become more aware of these rules before attending any upcoming tournaments and club championships.

Registration for the Thursday night twilight season will be the same as for January’s program.

Registration is at 7pm for a 7:30pm start. All equipment will be provided for the evening and a light supper provided.

Please wear flat soled shoes.

For more information, contact Margaret on 5853 1362, Rayleen on 5853 2394 or email [email protected]

The courts are at 64-70 Church St, opposite St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Kyabram.