Close finishes at Stephens' Ernie Melville Trophy

In 2013, the inaugural Ernie Melville Trophy was held to mark the 90th anniversary of Stephens Croquet Club. Now the club is in its second century, and this is still a great event for beginner and less experienced Association Croquet players.

On 11th and 12th May, clubs from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast and west to Toowoomba were represented. Thank you all for entering.

2024 is certainly the year for close finishes at Stephens. The Division 3 competitors went into the final round with several in a position to take home the trophy. It came down to nett points. Congratulations to Cameron Unwin (Wynnum Croquet Club), who was just ahead of Kevin Hamilton-Reen (Twin Rivers Community Mallet Sports Club Inc).

Division 4 had a clear winner in Alan Anderson (Merthyr Croquet Club), who won 5 out of 6 games and has now moved into Division 3. Well done, Alan!

Ernie was on hand to give playing tips during the weekend and presented the trophies to Cameron and Alan.

A special thank you to Greg Kerswell (Merthyr Croquet Club), an enthusiastic supporter of improving players, who refereed.

The new courts lighting was needed to finish each day with good illumination. (We are fortunate to have received Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs grant funding.)

Spectators who were more experienced players agreed that all the competitors had improved since last year.

Competitors:

- Joy and Frances – Laurel Bank Croquet Club, Herries St, Toowoomba - Maria and Geraldine – Stephens Croquet Club - Bob – Windsor Croquet Club - Alan and Ian – Merthyr Croquet Club - Kevin – Twin Rivers Community Mallet Sports Club Inc - Cameron – Wynnum Croquet Club - Eunice, Julia and Murray – Southport Croquet Club

Thank you to the Stephens volunteers.

The Ernie Melville Trophy acknowledges all that Ernie has contributed to his home club and to croquet in general. He joined Stephens in 1988, installed the sprinkler system in 1992, and replaced the old septic tank with the sewerage system in 2004 and the kitchen a few years later. Ernie was Club President for eight years, Club Champion for twelve consecutive years and, until recently, the club's Greens Director. For Queensland, he played Association Croquet in the Eire Cup and was a State Selector, State Handicapper, qualified referee and coach. He continues to be an active club member.

Yeronga District Residents Association – YDRA