Cherry Street marks strong Ricochet and Northern Rivers results

Croquet in Ballina has been played for 89 years. Cherry Street Croquet Club was formed in 2010 after members from the Ballina Inc club took a new direction focused on community engagement, inclusivity and sustainability.

Noelene Barnes, one of the foundation members, was specially recognised. A former Ballina Inc member, she continues to play at Cherry Street and recently reached the final of the NSW Ricochet Division 3 Championships at Byron Bay. She was runner up to Jeffrey Regan from Strathfield, her best ever finish. Noelene defeated Penny Scott in the semi final in a golden hoop decider, 10/9.

Ricochet players at the club have excelled in State Championships. Ray Chapman won the Open NSW Singles in Sydney from club mate David Scott. Phyllis Waters from Lismore and Cherry Street won the Division 2 Ricochet Singles Championships at Sawtell, and Noelene Barnes was runner up in the Division 3 NSW Singles at Byron Bay.

Christine Edlund and Wendy Gilmour played in the Advantage Golf Doubles in Sydney and were runners up in the Y Division after a close final, 5/7.

Christine Edlund and Wendy Gilmour.

Ray Chapman and Flemming Frederickson won the club's Advantage Golf Croquet Doubles from Jenny Dorward and Jim Hannigan. Flemming played exceptionally well and earned his first Club Championship in 10 years.

Jim Hannigan, Jenny Dorward, Ray Chapman and Flemming Frederickson.

Phyllis Waters competed in the Tweed Heads Gold Coast Association Tournament in Division 3 and was runner up to Kevin Hamilton Reen. In the Northern Rivers Area Golf Croquet Championships, David Scott won the Crusader Cup with Ray Chapman and also won the Level Play Singles. Jim Hannigan and Rosie Offley were runners up in the Advantage Doubles.

Ray Chapman, David Scott and Richard Hughes.

Sue Hume was presented with her OBE badge by Association Games Manager Gloria Drew. Sue has been playing Association Croquet for 10 years and is enjoying her afternoons at the club.

Gloria Drew and Sue Hume.

Northern Rivers Area Golf Croquet Championship results

- Novice Singles: Geoff Young, Byron Bay, 1st; David Barr, Casino, 2nd. - OBE Doubles: Denis Cummings and Richard Buxton, Byron Bay, 1st; Rita Esler and Ken Samuals, Alstonville, 2nd. - Advantage Doubles: Jed Hart and Geoff Leach, Byron Bay, 1st; Rosie Offley and Jim Hannigan, Cherry Street, 2nd. - Advantage Women's Singles: Ellen McGirr, Ballina, 1st; Dennise Simmons, Byron Bay, 2nd. - Advantage Open Singles: Helen McKay, Lismore, 1st; Jed Hart, Byron Bay, 2nd. - Open Level Play Singles: David Scott, Cherry Street, 1st; Mike Russo, Ballina, 2nd. - Crusader Cup Open Doubles: David Scott and Ray Chapman 1st; Sharon Daley and Michael Russo 2nd.

Phyllis Waters and Kayleen Munro.

Ray Chapman, Noelene Barnes and Steve Beaton.

By Gregory Porter, Cherry Street. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2025, pages 15-18.