Queenslanders compete in 2016 ACA President's Eights

More tournament action: the 2016 ACA President's Eights was played from 7th to 10th October at the Victoria Croquet Centre, Cairnlea. It is a twelve court complex, so all four Eights were played at the same venue.

Seven Queenslanders qualified to enter this prestigious event: Greg Whymark in the Second Eight, Lindsay David in the Third Eight and five in the Women's Eight – Heather Knight, Rosemary Newsham, Willy Silk, Cynthia Tacey and Geraldine Trivett.

Over the four days, at times the greatest challenge was not our opponents but rather what Mother Nature flung at us, the notorious Cairnlea weather, particularly the WIND.

Play was suspended halfway through Sunday's games, and games were pegged down overnight. Melbourne had winds of around 100km/hr and balls were blown out of position as we watched from the clubhouse.

First Eight: In untimed best of 3 games, Robert Fletcher won undefeated, having lost only one game. Younger brother Malcolm was Second and older brother Greg was Third, true to Australian Rankings 1, 3, 5 and World Rankings 1, 16, 28.

Second Eight: Kevin Beard, Claire Bassett, Rod Kirk.

Third Eight: The Third Eight ended in a 3-way tie on 9 wins out of 14 games in the double round robin. On Net Hoops, the result was Kenn Boal First, Jannine Hawker (winner of the previous weekend's Jean Armstrong Memorial Shield) Second and Chris Grant Third.

Women's Eight: Due to the weather delay, the Women's Eight ended with a play-off for First and Second, as not all the round robin games were completed. Gail Hopkins had 10 wins and Virginia Arney 9. The weather deteriorated during this last game of the tournament, very cold and wet, and it is reflected in the score: 14 to 13 to Virginia. Heather Knight came Third.

Results are at https://croquetscores.com/…/aca-presidents-eigh…/first-eight

Photos:

- The First, Second and Third Eights winners and runners-up - Gail Hopkins and Virginia Arney - The Women's Eight trophy, the Jean Armstrong Bowl