Southport’s Mallet Sports on the Broadwater fills a busy winter calendar

This is the usual time of the year when the Club is very busy with competitions associated with the annual Mallet Sports on the Broadwater - MSOB. The first competition was Ricochet which was held 15-16th June. There were 8 competitors who were placed in two blocks. It was very good to welcome players from clubs that are local and from those who were quite some distance from Southport. In fact, the winner was Ruth Mulvaney who came from Toronto, NSW. She and her club mate, Helen Chalmers, came to play in all of the MSOB competitions again this year. Club’s Patron, Dawn Crichlow, presented the trophy to Ruth

The next competition was the largest as far as participants were concerned. Nine teams played in the Gateball Teams Competition held 22nd-23rd June. Players came from as far away as Canberra to the south and Rockhampton to the north. It was a busy time with 50 or so people attending but everything went smoothly thanks to careful organisation by the Tournament Managers and the Referee Manager.

seen below in beautiful sunshine.

The winning team was Moreton Bay Green. The presentations were made by Marion from Michael Hare Vision Eyewear- sponsors for many years. members from Moreton Bay Green Team

The Gateball Doubles Competition followed the Team games. With 18 pairs of Doubles, the format involved two blocks after which the top 2 teams from each block played off for the Grand Final. It was a close and exciting game (at least for the spectators) which resulted in a draw between Lee Wentworth (Southport) and Peter Wood (Canberra) against Kathie Grant and Barbara Northcott (both from Southport). On a countback, Lee and Peter won the Grand Final. The presentation was made by Nicole Wilson from Crown Currency which is a Sponsor of our Club.

Wood and Lee Wentworth

After one day of rest, the MSOB Competitions resumed with Golf Croquet in which the Golf Doubles was the first event. The Doubles was won by Mary McMahon (Southport) and style with 11 straight wins.

McMahon

Croquet Singles Competition for Division 1 players. The winner of the next Competition which was Division 2 Singles was Robert Kidd from Eildon. The MSOB concluded this year with Division 3 Singles in Golf Croquet. The winner was Gwenda Brennan from Southport. Congratulations to all who participated. There can only be one winner and the photos are below.

with Elli Housden (President)

After all of the events for MSOB- Ricochet, Gateball Teams and Doubles and Golf Croquet- the start of the Gold Coast Tweed Regional Association Croquet Competition commenced. Several of our players participated in those events- Kathie Grant, Dennis Backer, Eunice Frater. Eunice played in the annual competition- Open Mixed Doubles. She and her playing partner from Tweed Heads, Tony Kaucic, came second. Photo left- Tony and Eunice

Our Club hosted the Div. 4 Association Singles Competition 10-11th July which was won by Steve Scrimgeour from BHPB. Fortunately the weather

was perfect for these competitions which attract players from overseas and southern states. The latest results have arrived from the CAQ President’s Medal for Golf Croquet that was held at Caloundra CC. Mary McMahon was placed second and Gabby Spencer came third. Congratulations to both of these dedicated golf players.

awarded her Level 1 Gateball Referee badge at the recent Gateball Tournament at Eildon CC. With 10 qualified Gateball Referees our Club is well qualified for all competitions.

By Barbara Northcott, Southport. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2024, pages 38-41.