Hardys win Queensland Open Doubles final 20-19 after tense finish

Hardys win Queensland Open Doubles final 20-19

Queensland Open Doubles Final (continued)

The crowd held its collective breath as Ernie stalked the ball, lined up the shot and then his mallet struck the yellow ball … and made the roquet! (much applause from the crowd)

Now for the long take-off from the red ball back to the hoop. The line was perfect, but it came to a stop a little short for a good shot.

Ernie is known for pulling off the tough shots, but this time the ball hit the leg of the hoop and bounced back (a big sigh from the crowd), giving a final score of 20-19 to Deidre and John Hardy. Congratulations!

Photo: The 2015 Doubles Finalists - Ernie Melville, Deidre and John Hardy with the Hardy Trophy, Dick Smith

Doubles Final goes down to the wire

The Doubles Final

Ernie and Dick made good breaks but then, near the end of the game, Deidre made a very good break and she and John were in the lead.

After the bell of the 2¼hr game, Ernie and Dick had one last chance to even the score and bring the game to a 'golden point' finish, but who was better placed to score that hoop?

It required a successful long roquet followed by either a long roll shot or a long take-off. The decision, after much discussion, was for Ernie to try for the long roquet and then the take-off to 4 Back hoop.

To be continued!

Cold weekend at the Queensland Open Doubles Championships

It was a big (COLD) weekend of Association Croquet at the Queensland Open Doubles Championships.

Ernie Melville (Stephens) and Dick Smith had impressive results in Block A, with 4 out of 5 wins (3 peg outs). The winners of Block B were Deidre and John Hardy (Laurel Bank, Toowoomba), with an equally impressive 5 out of 6 wins.

This set the scene for an 'edge of your seat' game last Sunday for the Final.

More in the next post …

Photo: the crowd at the Doubles Final at Wynnum Croquet Club