Southport players collect strong results across all four codes

With many competitions being held in the four codes of croquet played at Southport, there are always good results to publish in the Croquet Newsletter. Pennant games for the two Golf Croquet teams playing in the Gold Coast Tweed Regional Competition have been successful so far in Division 1 and Division 2.

There was a very good result for two Southport members in the QLD First Eights in Golf Croquet. Mary McMahon came second and Gabby Spencer came third. The photo shows their happiness in the final placings, with Gordon Giles from Wynnum first.

Several weeks later in April, Gabby Spencer was placed 2nd in the ACA Bronze Medal Championship held at Headland Buderim Croquet Club. It has been a busy time for Queensland Golf Croquet competitors.

Gabby Spencer with Ross Rillie, who was placed 1st at the ACA Bronze Medal Championship at Headland Buderim Croquet Club.

At the club on 27th April, a Doubles Competition in Golf Croquet called the Golden Mallet Competition, based on the Advantage system of handicapping for Division 2 and Division 3 players, was organised for one day only. It was well supported by players from many clubs.

The final was played by James Bate and Andrew Mangan from the Cherry Street Ballina Club in NSW against Julia Tai from Southport and Ros Crowe from Toronto Club, NSW. It was a nail-biting finish, with Julia and Ros winning 6-5. This was a most entertaining competition.

James Bate and Andrew Mangan, 2nd placed, and Ros Crowe holding the Golden Mallet with Julia Tai, winners.

Southport's Gateball team played in the InterRegional Pennant Competition held at Toowoomba. Held over two days, it was a good competition involving competition as a team, as doubles and as triples. Southport was placed 2nd. Julia Tai was awarded her Level 2 Referee qualifications at that event.

Julia Tai was presented with her Level 2 Referee badge by Robert Roose, QLD Gateball Coordinator.

Southport continued with its Gateball commitments, with two teams travelling to Rockhampton to play in the annual Rockhampton Gateball Tournament. Two teams entered, Southport Red and Southport White. The Red team was placed 3rd. Following that teams competition were the Gateball Doubles games. Four Gateball pairs participated. The best result was 2nd place in Block A, achieved by Peter Sweet and Matthew Xhilaga.

It was a successful tournament for all involved, but in particular for Robyn Barlow, who finished off the assessment required for her to receive her Level 1 Referee Qualifications.

Robert Roose, QLD Gateball Coordinator, presented Robyn Barlow with her yellow jacket.

Once more Julia Tai was in action. She plays all four codes, like many others in Southport Croquet Club. The Ernie Melville Trophy for Division 3 and Division 4 Association players was held at Stephens Croquet Club in the middle of May. Julia was placed 3rd in Division 3. Seen with her is Eunice Frater, Club Captain and another person who plays all four codes of croquet. Southport's Captain of Association Croquet, Murray Trainor, is also in the photo taken outside the Stephens Club House.

Eunice Frater, Julia Tai and Murray Trainor outside the Stephens Club House at the Ernie Melville Trophy.

Southport has one team of Association players competing in the Gold Coast Tweed Region's Pennant Competition. Many more games are yet to be played, but it is good to be participating.

For the Pennants in Ricochet there are two teams competing for Southport, Dolphins and Sharks. The Sharks won it last year. The results of the Dolphins team are very promising, considering beginners to Ricochet are enjoying their first taste of Ricochet.

Queensland Association Croquet representative Kathie Grant ventured south to Sydney to play in the NSW Women's Singles Championship. Her successful result of being placed 4th in that event was testament to Kathie's many hours of practice. Additionally, she has been very busy coaching players from the GCT Region in AC, GC and Ricochet.

Tricia Devlin from NSW shakes hands with Kathie Grant after their game, in which Kathie was placed 4th in the NSW AC Championship.

By Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2024. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2024, pages 22-26.