Cherry Street reports development squad, club championships and tributes to Neville Poynting

The Northern Rivers Area Golf Croquet Development Squad is running again after several years in recession. Co-ordinator David Scott has been working with players to fine tune their games for high-level competition and potential representative play.

Players taking part include Phyllis Waters from Lismore, Sharon Daley from Ballina, Dennise Simmons and Werner Borkhardt from Byron Bay, Simon from Cook Coutts Crossing, and Ray Chapman and Jim Hannigan from Cherry Street. The group is dedicated and talented, with several State-level trophies already won in recent years. David Scott has also been selected for training in the NSW Golf Croquet squad, a squad of 20 players selected from NSW.

Club Championships are well underway, with close and entertaining games and finals.

Results to hand

- Ricochet Croquet Division 2 Singles: Greg Porter 1st, Jim Hannigan 2nd. - Golf Croquet Novice Singles: Sue Holland 1st, Gordon Scamp 2nd, Warren Anderson 3rd.

Twilight Golf Croquet has finished for the season as daylight saving ends. The club thanked Robbie Allen, Wendy Gilmore, Bev Bill and the volunteers who helped make the evening social games possible.

Faye Duncan, Jill Huxley, Norma Watts and Joan Doust.

Golf Croquet remains the main version played by members, and the club currently has 47 women and 20 men playing croquet versions. Ricochet has drawn up to 16 members a week, while Association Croquet has grown to nine weekly players. The club is pleased to see Lance Turner back sharing his knowledge with Association players.

Division 2 Golf Pennants are underway with all Northern Area clubs participating. Cherry Street's all-ladies squad, captained by Robbie Allen, is playing well and has recorded two outstanding wins to date.

Cherry Street and Casino Pennants teams.

Maurie Russell and Del Casey.

Neville and Robyn Poynting.

The club sent thoughts to members who are sick or unwell, with special thoughts for Neville Poynting. Neville has been unwell and will not return to play. He has been a wonderful member and ambassador for croquet in the area, helping many players with advice and making mallets to suit individual games. He is also well known for his fishing expertise. The club holds treasured memories of him and sends thoughts to both Neville and Robyn.

By Greg Porter, Cherry Street Ballina. From the Croquet Newsletter, March/April 2026, pages 15-17.