Helen Gregory wins inaugural Graceville Challenge Cup

Last Sunday, 18th July 2021, Graceville Croquet Club had the most wonderful day of croquet camaraderie.

The Graceville Challenge Cup for 2021 was played in a modified Egyptian format, which meant that any player, no matter what their handicap, could win. This encouraged so many people to sign up for the event, and what a fabulous outcome.

Basically, it enabled higher handicap players to play alongside more experienced players, with high/low handicap pairings and a different partner for each game. Anyone could win this! How exciting and motivating was that.

There was eager anticipation to see who people were partnered with, and much jovial banter as to who would win on the day.

There was great delight and lots of cheering when Helen Gregory won. Well done Helen, and special thanks to her partners (Laurie, Joy, John and Lionel). It all came down to the last match of the day. A wonderful finish.

Helen was presented with the inaugural Graceville Challenge Cup, generously donated by Laurie Webb, along with a cash prize.

Runners up Lionel McKennariey, Joy Virgo and Gloria Newton were also awarded cash prizes donated by our generous sponsor, Focus Optometrists Sherwood. Thank you again, Simon, for your continued support of Graceville Croquet Club.

It wasn't all croquet though, and a very special thanks goes to Annie Hall for coming up with a superb lunch on an Egyptian theme.

Many hands make light work, and thanks to Laurie, Lionel and Gloria for setting up the hoops, Joy for helping Randall with the very complicated draw, and to everyone on the day who played with such sportsmanship and friendship.

We are so lucky to have this wonderful club in our area and the community spirit and joy it brings to all its members.