Ted Gardner returns for ricochet, and the Festival of Colour crowns four champions

Generally balmy conditions have meant pleasant games and well attended lawns over the past couple of months. Dry weather has meant more bounce in the pitch but, hey, we need something to blame for our misses.

Even though we are generally regarded as an "association" club because almost all our members play that form of the game principally, there is a strong showing of players each Tuesday morning to bash a ball around playing ricochet. Not a bad idea. The late Bill Bray of Nambour club used to say that ricochet improved his association game.

The photo shows a welcome visit by one time member Ted Gardner, lured back into play by the prospect of ricochet. He paired up with Lynette Evans to win a game. Their smiles speak volumes.

Social activities continued unabated with a visit by the Ulysses group where a very large turnout of 64 had to be rotated through the use of four half lawns throughout the day, a logistical triumph for all concerned. It was a great success with Wallace Roy at one stage occupying dual roles as chef for the BBQ and plumber for a furiously leaking tap. The attached photo illustrates the intensity of play with the most tactical interaction of the day exhibited by the small brown spoodle centre foreground putting serious pressure on a potential food donor.

The Ulysses group visit, with the tactical spoodle in the foreground.

Our November Festival of Colour tournament had four sections. The lawns were in great shape and the weather was fantastic. Mike Bertram of Caloundra Club won first division.

Mike Bertram receiving the first division shield from club president Sarah Widin.

Donna Manning was top of second division. Third division ended in a playoff between Dianne Horsman and Lynette Evans as befits their rivalry throughout the year. Dianne won on this occasion, but the competition persists. The match of the tournament was between Wallace Roy and Carole Atkinson for division 4. It was a best of 3. Carole drew first blood in game 1 but Wallace fought back winning the next 2 games by just one point each.

Wallace Roy receiving the division 4 shield from Sarah Widdin.

At our recent AGM Sarah Widin was returned as President, Vince Carbery as Vice President, Priscilla Vickers as secretary and Stuart Craig as treasurer. The club is in good hands with this experienced committee. As Christmas approaches, we would like to wish all players and their families the best for the season and a happy new year.

By Ken Barker, The Range, Maleny. From the Croquet Newsletter, November/December 2023, pages 27, 28.