CROQUET NSW Inc.

COWRA CROQUET CLUB GALA DAY SEPTEMBER 25th , 2018

On 25th September, Cowra Croquet Club held another of Cowra’s Ana its very popular Gala Days. Teams came from Young, Blue Kusetic trying her Mountains, Hazelbrook and Molong for the occasion. luck with ‘Up the Some of the further away teams really look forward to Gutter’. visiting Cowra for a day or two, and make the most of Too hard and it goes right over the Newsletter their time catching up with friends from neighbouring top - too soft and it Official Publication of Croquet NSW Inc - ISSN 1035-5766 DECEMBER 2018 clubs. rolls back down.

President Helen Bryant welcomed all, and after a quick morning tea while the draw was arranged, play began. ACA GC INTER-STATE SHIELD

The Cowra courts were in great order, thanks to our

Council, which proved to be quite a challenge to all players as they were very fast. Hoops did not come easy as balls overshot the mark and more shots were needed A player from to score the hoop. There were also a number of Young deciding on instances when the hoop at one end was scored from the the best tactic while hoop at the other end. A hoop in one! Teams were using her partner from the full allotted time to complete their games, but all Molong (mauve enjoyed the challenge the courts provided. shirt) and two opposition players Much fun was had with the novelty games, some proving from Hazelbrook look on more difficult than others, especially ‘Up the gutter’ and

‘Ping Pong’. The men were extremely competitive in those.

When everyone gathered to enjoy the tasty titbits Chris Palazzi provided for afternoon tea by the Cowra Ladies, the Publicity Officer winners were announced and presented with prizes. It was lovely to see the Molong Ladies enjoying the day. It was their first visit to our club. THE EVENTS On Tuesday 12 September, His Excellency General The The winners of the Golf Croquet were Doug Leabeater, Honourable David Hurley, AC, DSC (Ret’d), Governor of The ACA Mens and Womens Singles competitions and the Faye Slater, (both from Young) and Jan Arndell New South Wales, Patron of Croquet NSW, accompanied InterState Shield were held in the Hunter Region, and (Hazelbrook). In the novelty games, ‘Dollies’ was won by by Mrs Linda Hurley, watched the concluding stages of were hosted by Newcastle National Park, Maitland, Sam Taylor (Young), ‘Bagatelle’ by Doug Leabeater the Croquet Australia Women’s Singles Finals at the Toronto, EDSACC, Branxton and Myall Park (the latter (Young), “Up the Gutter” by Gail Seacardi (Blue Maitland Croquet Club. Following a luncheon break His two having been involved only a few weeks beforehand, Mountains), ‘Hoops’ by Bev Johnston (Blue Mountains) Excellency presented a Maitland Croquet Club Honorary as a result of the record level of entries). and ‘Ping Pong’ by Jim Cook (Blue Mountains) Membership Award to local government councillor, Henry Meskauskas, for his previous work in helping The tournaments appeared to run smoothly and few Thanks to everyone for a great day. Maitland CC get established, after which the Governor complaints were heard, while the effort by the clubs that and Mrs Hurley participated in some social croquet which went into the preparations, and the work of the we believe they thoroughly enjoyed. volunteers in ensuring efficient refereeing, timekeeping and hospitality, were highly appreciated. In the evening, the Governor and Mrs Hurley also Standard iron hoops were used, and this year they were attended the Croquet Australia Civic Reception for the set at 3+11/16 (rather tighter than last year). This was a Interstate Shield teams, at the Newcastle City Hall. good move, and there seemed to be no difficulty with

On Wednesday 13th September, the Governor and Mrs balls jamming. Hurley attended the opening matches at Newcastle There was a new approach to time limits in the ISS, in National Park, watching the four doubles matches before which the first game (in best-of-two matches) had a 2 departing. Unfortunately they missed the full match hour time limit, with unused time added to the second which saw a decisive win for NSW over Queensland. game. In addition, when a game was held up by 5

We hope to see more of the Governor and his wife on minutes by the other game on the lawn, the former was Croquet Lawns across NSW in the future. The white is set to make the hoop. enabled to overtake. These rules were consistently Sam Taylor (Young) is hoping that he gave pink just the right amount applied and appeared to work very well. There were very of momentum to put pink between brown and white to spoil brown’s Photo: Governor David Hurley and Mrs Hurley with NSW and Qld few occasions when the second game of a match was Teams (courtesy Alex Verge) attack on white. unduly time-restricted. Contd p. 3

Page 28 CNSW Newsletter December 2018

Croquet NSW Inc is located at Mackey Park, Marrickville, Sydney Postal address: PO Box 5096 Marrickville NSW 1475 • Phone: (02) 9559 6073 • Email: [email protected]

Articles on the Oxford Croquet website at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/beginners/bcn3.asp#WPTOHTML5 and http:// www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/intermediate/9.asp explain how to set up a 4-ball break from the opening; and there is a very nice animation on this at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/3d/complex.htm?script=bisque1.js Once you have set up the lawn for a 4-ball break, with a ball at hoop 1, a ball at hoop 2, and a pivot ball somewhere near the peg, you are ready to From the Board Chairman: From the Editor” start making hoops. Try to make sure that you keep the lawn set up, and if necessary use a bisque to do this. Don’t leave any balls behind, and

always try to get a ball near the hoop after the current one, and a pivot ball somewhere in the middle. The Oxford croquet site has some problems showing how to set up a break from various positions, such as difficult leaves by your opponent at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/bisque/ index.asp The ACA GC Gold Medal event, the Summer is coming at last as evident by Womens and Mens Singles & the ISS have the temperatures of some recent days. Now, each time you make an error, you take a bisque and keep going. Because the lawn is set up for you, this is always a good time all been run and won and NSW triumphed to take bisques. Your tactics are to make sure that you can keep going even if you make a mistake (blobbing in a hoop or missing a again!! We had John Levick (Gold Medal), After almost giving up hope of filling the roquet) if you take a bisque. This means that you avoid shots that might leave you a long way from a roquet, or wired from another Alison Sharpe (Womens Singles) and Peter pages, late entries meant I have had to ball near a hoop. Do not try to rush another ball hard unless you are very close to it and are very confident of hitting. If you are a Landrebe (Mens Singles) win their respective events – increase the size of this edition. In fact, it required two few yards away, you can either put a gentle shot to a good rushing position and take a bisque, or aim to roquet gently, and then roll congratulations to all!!! Our ISS team came a creditable additions, each of four pages. Consequent on this the two balls up the lawn. If you aim gently and miss, you at least have an easy roquet for the next time after you have taken a third (up from 5th last year) with some very close games increase, is a tedious rearrangement of the articles! bisque. You may use another bisque, but that is better than being twenty yards away. Don’t try sharply angled hoops, because your chances of making them are small, and if you jam against the hoop leg you may need two bisques to extricate yourself; tap gently not going our way – next year we step further up the This issue is brought to you by the following clubs: into a good position and take a bisque to run the hoop. ladder. Ballina, Byron Bay, Coogee, Cowra, Coutts Crossing, If you have twelve bisques, for example, and you use two to set up the lawn, and then make a couple of hoops for each bisque, you Forster, Gloucester, Hazelbrook, Lismore, Lithgow, will have made your first twelve hoops and still have four bisques left for your next round. After you have taken your first ball I would like to thank the Clubs involved with the running Manly, Mosman, Nelson Bay, Nowra, Orange, Port of the above events (Newcastle, Toronto, Maitland, around, separate all the balls to make sure your opponent cannot make a break – you can always start a break with one of your Macquarie, Mid-North Coast Clubs, Sawtell, Sqne bisques, especially if your opponent joins up. Then if you can use two bisques to make a few more hoops – and keep one bisque to EDSACC, Branxton and Myall Park) for all their hard work trathfield, There is an interesting take on an Ashes deal with your opponent’s leave if they do hit in and make a long break – then you will have 16 or 17 hoops and have a good chance over the preceding year and throughout the events. I Croquet event and another great Makara is well of winning. received only positive comments from players and described. Gateball has some entries. Thank you to all spectators. Well done and thankyou to everyone ADVANCED PLAY for these contributions. If you are playing advanced rules, with lifts and contact, you need to decide if you are going to go round to the peg and give contact. involved. The advantage of this is that your opponent only gets one leave. The drawback is that unless you set a good contact leave (all balls The important Inter-State Shield report rakes pride of on the boundary, away from baulks, and well separated), the opponent is likely to make a break. So if you have good distance place on page 1 and we congratulate our NSW team for After His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley control, and can put balls on or near boundaries, then go to the peg and set a contact leave. If you are not confident about this, go (Governor of NSW and CNSW Patron) and Mrs Hurley their great efforts in this, finishing a creditable third. We to 4-back and set a leave. visited the Hunter for the above events CNSW received are due for a win in this event and maybe it will come in an invitation to showcase Croquet on the front lawn of 2019. Keep up the practice!. Alison Sharpe reports on DO I KEEP ONE LAST BISQUE? This depends on the situation. If your opponent has taken one ball round (to the peg, or to 4-back if they do triple peels regularly), Government House at the upcoming Australia Day Open croquet in a quite different setting—the bush! An then they need only one more turn to win – so there is no point in letting them have a chance of doing that. If, however, your House day. With great excitement we’ve accepted the amazing experience for her! opponent has not done this, they will need two turns to win. This means they will have to do a long break and then set a leave. If invitation. This will be a fantastic day to promote Two new Board Members are introduced to us, Carol you have kept one bisque, then you will be able to disrupt their leave, and set up for yourself. If time is short, you can play Croquet to approx. 2500 visitors throughout the day. Hayes & Richard Hughes. We wish them well in their defensively to keep them out of play until time goes. We are assuming that you will have made at least twelve hoops with all your Naturally we’ll need a large number of members to play other bisques so that you are ahead. undertakings on our behalf. and explain the comings and goings of croquet for the WHAT DO I DO IN THE OPENING? Steve Thornton has reported on some admin issues that day. Please keep this date free and come and support If you win the toss, go in second – that means there are three balls on the lawn when you put on your second ball, and you have a Croquet at Government House. More information will be the Board members have been dealing with. Bev Smith better chance of a break. Don’t set a tice – that just makes it easier for your opponent to hit in. My preference is to put a ball near distributed shortly via the CNSW website page. has provided a summary of the main changes to the hoop 2 (five yards south west) – that is a long roquet for the opponent, and it establishes my hoop 2 pioneer early. If you go in first, Rules of Golf Croquet which come into effect officially don’t join up; you opponent will set a tice, and if they hit, they have an easy break. Aim hard for the tice, and if you miss the Last week the Board held its first regional information from the beginning of 2019 but they can be implemented opponent has a difficult job to make a break. If you hit the tice, put it up the lawn and set a rush towards it. by clubs now. The new rules can be found on the World session followed by the Board meeting at Urunga (North RULES RELATING TO BISQUES Region). Many questions were asked and answers given Croquet Website. A bisque or half bisque can be taken at the end of a turn. The player must indicate clearly that they are taking a bisque by raising their hand and finger. If they are taking a half bisque they must call out clearly that they are doing so. Play must continue with the same striker ball as the previous on a wide range of topics. Thank you to Barb Piggott for Neil Hardie has sent a great article on Bisques and the organising the meetings. turn. When a bisque is taken, all balls are live again. best way to use these. This is the first of four articles, the If a half bisque is taken, no hoop can be scored in that turn. If a ball goes through its hoop after a half bisque, that hoop does not count, and the turn other articles will be included in future Newsletters. would end unless the shot was a croquet shot, or also makes a roquet. Please check out the news item from the Administration A player who has indicated that they are taking a bisque (or half bisque) can change their mind, and decide not to take a bisque. However, a player Desk, courtesy of CNSW Secretary Steve Thornton, within A Vale was received for Margaret Burke, formerly of who has indicated that they are not taking a bisque cannot change that decision. the newsletter for an update on Board decisions. Epping Club. No bisques can be taken after the bell for the end of time for the game. However, if the game goes on to a golden point period, then further bisques can be taken. Christmas and the end of another year is coming. May If a player’s turn comes to an end, and they play a further shot without indicating that they are taking a bisque, the referee (or opponent) can Keep the participation levels up and I look forward to all celebrations be joyful and may everyone be require them to replace the balls to their previous position, state that they are taking a bisque, and replay the shot. No bisque can be taken after a player has pegged out their striker ball, as they cannot continue with the same ball. seeing you on the lawns soon. invigorated for another year of croquet in 2019. If a player takes a bisque prematurely (i.e. indicates that they are taking a bisque before their turn has ended) the opponent or referee must let them know that their turn has not ended, and they are entitled to continue playing before the bisque is taken. This usually happens when a player Happy Hooping, has a continuation shot, but indicates that they are taking a bisque. In advanced handicap play, the striker gives contact to the opponent if they Wendy Fothergill score 1-back and 4-back with their first ball during continuous play, even if they have taken one or more bisques in the process. Brenda Wild Bisques can be taken after faults or errors. If a fault occurs, the player can require the opponent to decide whether they are going to leave the balls where they are or replace them in the previous position before deciding whether or not to take a bisque. It is the responsibility of the striker Closing date for next issue: 20 February 2019 with bisques to ensure that bisque sticks are removed as appropriate, and that the bisque sticks represent the remaining bisques.

Page 2 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 27

STRATEGIES FOR USING BISQUES IN AC by Neil Hardie Contd from p. 1 SOMETHING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION DESK

This is the first of a series of four articles on the use of bisques, covering the strategies and tactics used when playing with or against The overtaking rule also seemed to be required only bisques. These notes are mainly for bronze and silver players (apart from the article on playing against bisques) – for gold and Things have been on the move in the administrative rarely. world and the Board has made some important decisions. platinum players the tactics with bisques are different, and these players need no advice anyway. If an impatient player wants all the information now, they can email Neil Hardie on [email protected] and he will send you all the articles. The weather was generally fine and dry, although the first Hard to make it light reading but here goes.

OVERVIEW day of the Men’s and Women’s Singles was damp and . It is difficult to use bisques sensibly. It is said that by the time you know how to use bisques, you don’t get any because your handicap cold, and the Saturday during the ISS was really hot and Firstly, the CNSW Annual Yearbook is too low. Many people play badly while they have bisques, then improve dramatically once their bisques have gone. This is windy, and quite a challenge for tiring players! It has been published in hard copy for several years presumably because they are confused by the bisques, and are not able to concentrate properly on their game while the bisques are providing details of clubs, members, referees, coaches, there. However, it is very profitable to use bisques well; for high handicap players it helps to develop breaks, and allows them to play THE TEAM event winners and future events but it is a static against good players. Bronze players who play only against other bronze players take much longer to improve. Better players are document that becomes more out of date as the year often poor at playing against bisques. Many of them avoid handicap tournaments because they are put off by an array of bisques Alison Sharpe led the team with excellent flair and progresses. As the CNSW website has developed, much against them. But just as there are techniques for using bisques, there are techniques for playing against bisques. positivity, and also achieved the best individual of the information in the yearbook has become available The methods of playing with bisques (or against bisques) varies according to the situation. You have a different strategy if you have a performances of the competition. The team members on the public pages of the website and more recently in large number of bisques as compared to having only a few bisques. You have a different strategy against a top grade player as against generally showed a high level of mutual support and the members area after sign-in. This information is live a moderate player. maintained a cheerful and enthusiastic atmosphere. The and in real time so the Board has decided to cease If you are playing against a very good player (say handicap 5 or less), then your opponent may only need two turns to finish the game. team performance on the last day was outstanding, even That means that one of your main aims is to stop the opponent from getting in. There is nothing more frustrating than losing a game producing a hard copy of the yearbook. Details of where though the overall result was by then settled. The team members can access the information will be made when you still have a number of bisques left. meetings were uplifting and enjoyable. Against a moderate player there is little likelihood of your opponent making a long break, so you can afford to let them in several available through club secretaries, the CNSW website and times, and keep your bisques for occasions when they will be most useful. The doubles partnerships were a particular strength of social media.

STRATEGIES FOR USING BISQUES the team. They were carefully considered and established There are basically three main strategies for using bisques. two months before the ISS, and remained stable and Secondly, a new Constitution will be circulated for a) ‘Keep it going’ strategy consistent. As in most of the last few years, both the member clubs to vote upon before the end of the year. This is used against a very good player who can finish in two or three turns. This kind of opponent is usually good at roquets, so they reserves were required to play, and fortunately had The current Constitution was successfully introduced in are quite likely to hit a long shot across the lawn. This means that wherever you leave the balls, your opponent is likely to hit in and travelled with the team. It really is essential to have five September 2015 and contained transition arrangements make a long break. If you are a high handicap player you will have a lot of bisques; if you are a silver player against a platinum grade, men and five women players available and match-ready from the old Executive to a new Board. Over time a you will still have at least five and a half bisques. for this gruelling competition. number of minor errors in the document have been The plan here is to set up a four-ball break (using one or more bisques) and take a bisque whenever you break down to keep the found and also areas identified that needed attention, break going. It was most valuable that Karen Bisley was present with revision and removal. The process of reviewing the b) ‘Make every bisque count’ strategy the team, not just for her driving, cooking and general constitution began early this year and has taken many This is used when you only have a few bisques; for example, with a sixteen handicap player against a twelve handicap. As you have support, but particularly for her medical expertise, which only a few bisques, there is not a great difference in skill between the players, and your opponent will need a lot of turns to finish the twists and turns. Legal opinion has been sought and the was definitely needed, and her advice on maintaining document aligned to the recently released NSW Office of game. The plan is to use each bisque where it will have the greatest effect – in other words, when you can almost certainly make two hydration, injury prevention and wellbeing. or more hoops with the bisque, or where you stop your opponent from making several hoops. Sport template constitution for State Sporting c) ‘Use with care’ strategy The team enjoyed two very hospitable evenings hosted Organisations. There are no dramatic changes to how This is the strategy when you have a reasonable number of bisques, but not enough to keep using them regardless. Your opponent is by Nerida Taylor and Pam Gentle. Our hosts were CNSW operates nor how a Member Club operates a good player, but not someone who can finish in a couple of turns. Here you set up a break and try to keep it going. But if you get to fortunately understanding about our need to get to bed although some new policies have been introduced to a position where another bisque will not help the break much, and your opponent is unlikely to make a break, you allow them a turn. in good time! expand on and clarify some areas. Members will need to STRATEGIES AGAINST BISQUES get used to some new terms though. There are two basic strategies here. THE RESULTS a) Hit in and make a break Thirdly, the Board affirms its 100% support for the In the Singles tournaments, all the members of the NSW If you are a good player who can make long breaks, you try to hit in whenever you have the chance, even if it gives your opponent a Australian Handicap System and it is in everyone’s good situation (especially against a novice with many bisques). Eventually you will roquet, and then if you can make a long break you team made it to the knockout stages, which comprised 32 interest to uphold the integrity of the system. Clubs have put great pressure on your opponent and increase the chance of their making errors. (Men) and 16 (Women). Peter Landrebe won the Men’s, been asked to let its playing members know that they b) Draw the bisques David Hanbidge reached the semifinals, and Peter Freer should have only one handicap/index card. Also, as If you are playing against a player of similar ability and they have a few bisques, you make breaks whenever you can, but you avoid and Chris Williamson reached the last 8. Alison Sharpe events are winding up for 2018 it would be a good time giving them easy chances to make hoops, and you set up leaves intended to draw bisques from your opponent. won the Women’s, and Brenda Wild and Ros Johnstone for players to update their handicaps and indexes in the In practice a player would use a combination of these strategies – try to hit in when there is a good chance of a roquet, and join up to reached the last 8. CNSW database either themselves of through their club draw bisques when an attempt to roquet would give your opponent an easy chance of several hoops. There are some excellent In the ISS, the NSW team performed strongly, and if a few secretary. articles on bisques on the Oxford Croquet website. We will provide links to these at the appropriate times.

A good starting point is How to Play – Intermediate’ section 9 ‘Using Bisques’: http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/ chances had fallen the other way we could have come intermediate/9.asp second or possibly even first. However, the still-solid Have an enjoyable festive season and keep your eye open Victorians and the increasingly powerful Western for more administrative developments in 2019. USING BISQUES – THE ‘KEEP IT GOING’ STRATEGY Australians were the teams to fight out the deciding Test If we are playing an opponent who can finish the game in two or three turns, our strategy must be to keep them out of play for as on the last day, which was very narrowly won by Victoria. long as possible. If you are a bronze player against such an opponent you will have at least ten bisques. If you are a silver player you will still have five or more bisques. Peter Montague Steve Thornton Here the aim is to make as many hoops as possible by using all the bisques. Against a skilled opponent there is no point in making Team Manager Secretary CNSW one hoop at a time and hoping they don’t hit in. So the first task is to set up the lawn for a break, even if this uses two or three bisques. If you have a half bisque, this is the best time to use it.

Page 26 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 3

BALLINA HOSTS SUCCESSFUL NRCA COUTTS CROSSING - Peter Martin ORANGE CITY CLUB COOGEE CROQUET CLUB

AC TOURNAMENT At Coutts Crossing we are thinking about running our first Orange City Croquet Club held its Golf Croquet Handicap Now that Coogee Croquet Club members are comfortable open AC 'event' in 2019. There are lots of questions to The spoils were shared at the Northern Rivers Croquet Carnival during the week of 16th to 19th October 2018. with competitions we are all enjoying them. We have answer. What format makes a good tournament for non- Association AC Tournament hosted by Ballina from 12 to Competitors travelled from Headlands Buderim, learnt how to deal with handicaps, record them as soon elite players? For myself, at about the average age of 15 September 2018. Entrants from Ballina, Byron Bay, Jamberoo, Nowra, Chatswood and the Blue Mountains to as we leave the green after a match, and are working to most non-elite players, two games a day for three days, Cherry St, Coutts Crossing, Coolangatta and Southport participate. Some members from Orange also took part. improve them. or five games in two days, then go home. I have been to competed in five events over four days. The good All games were close and played in a spirit of friendly number of entries proves that AC is in good health in the several 'carnivals' run most efficiently by delightful clubs, The organisation of competitions has been refined and competition. they run very smoothly, thanks to Tournament Director Northern Rivers. but only one game each day. I have done all my sightseeing nearby, and am not attracted to returning to The winner of Block A was David Barlow from Orange Susan Hamilton. Silver handicap pegs are a great Two members from Coutts Crossing Croquet Club, Simon the same place again next year. and the runner up was Martin Atkins from Headlands addition to our coloured collection, pegged on Cook and Peter Deeth, and Gavin Clarke, Coolangatta, Buderim. competitors’ shirts. The most recent event over two days were competing in their first tournament. Gavin and We also want to cater for those players who are not yet - the 2018 Golf Croquet Handicap Singles Competition - Peter had great success - winner and runner up retired. They want their croquet condensed to use as Block B was won by Martin Liiv from The Blue featured 18 players and many spectators. Of course respectively in the division 2 advanced handicap singles little of their annual leave as possible. In metropolitan Mountains and runner up was John Siccardi also from the observers can see which shot should be taken next, or event. Other winners were Garry Purcell, Southport, Sydney the cost of travelling to Tempe or Sydney clubs Blue Mountains. alternatively know how to have played a particular shot from one's home is not high, but for those with travel and division 1 advanced handicap singles, Mike Gidding, Many helpers from Orange, led by Captain Rik Mills, after it is done, so there is much whispered discussion Ballina, Open singles. Mike was also successful in the two hotel expenses, it does not justify one game a day. ensured a smooth running Carnival was enjoyed by all. around the sidelines. The bonus is our trainee referee doubles events, due to his judicious selection of partners The best value tournaments I have played in are those Attached are photos of the winners and runners up of Kaye Martin who was busy all day. Kaye has emailed new – winning the advanced handicap doubles event with CNSW events in Tempe demanding two or three games each block and a group photo of all the participants rules to members regularly, so now there is no excuse! Richard Hughes and the prestigious event of the daily, the format at Bribie Island, three matches per day Kaye gives mini pep-talks about rules before each tournament – the Mums Cup, which is a Championship on Saturday and Sunday, and the Mosman Bash, two competition. Doubles, where he partnered Mary Hughes. The Mums games a day. Our semi-finalists for the Cup has a distinguished history dating from 1935 and the winners are a roll call of accomplished players from the The cost to players is becoming more important. Some of above competition were (L region. us have plenty of money and are not concerned with to R) Werner Kos, Peter costs, many more need to budget carefully. I recently ‘Buzz’ Buswell, Val Lloyd Competition was generally tight but friendly. The hosts travelled to Tempe from northern NSW for a three day and Robin Sen. The winner appreciated the commitment from entrants, several of tournament. I was away from home for four days and was Buzz, who also won the whom competed in all events they were eligible for. The the total cost of travel, food, hotel, etc was over $1,500. Golf Croquet Open Singles sunny days belied the at times difficult conditions caused I can afford that, most cannot. Championship this year. by the strong winds which were, at times, cold and penetrating and affected the balls’ trajectory. At Coutts Crossing we are forming plans for an AC A good introduction to tournament, our first, in 2019. What will attract people competition is our Mayor's to come to somewhere many have never heard of, most Cup, played over the year (1 February to 30 November) could not pinpoint on a map, and seems very distant? for Golf Croquet Handicap Singles games. Games may be We have two options: five matches in two days or six in played at any time by mutual agreement with two points three. Both we think are far more attractive than a game for a win and one point for a loss. The winner is the a day. member with the most points at year end. The Mayor

We will also offer something we have not seen presents the inscribed cup at our Opening of the Season elsewhere, a packaged deal. We have good relations and Awards Presentation in February.

with the owner of Coutts Crossing Tavern who is We are pleased to note that Randwick Council is moving installing ten new cabins. He will give us deep discounts. on parked boat trailers that feature all around our roads. With him we will be offering two nights accommodation, Along with members of the nearby Tennis and Bowling two evening meals, tournament entry fee, tea, coffee and Clubs, and visitors to Coogee Beach and adjacent Bardon two sandwich lunches, all for the package price of about Park, our members are frustrated by the limited parking. $220. This removes all the hassle and allows everyone to Members have to walk a great distance sometimes…..and socialise at the same location in the evening over a meal we get plenty of walking exercise on the greens. and drinks. After two or three days of intensive croquet Entrants in Mums Cup left to right: John Williams, Mary Hughes, and companionship, you go home content. Our hard working green keeper and member Mike Martin Robert Smillie, Max Donati, Julie Higgins, John Tann, Gavin Clarke, is top dressing the greens in Spring. Club members will Peter Deeth, Mike Gidding, Ray Chapman, David Scott, Peter Martin Are the days of one game a day tournaments nearing have a two week break from croquet, playing indoor their end? Perhaps, perhaps not, but I know that events Fay Lochrin games of mahjong and scrabble, etc, and the greens will guaranteeing at least two games a day will be more likely Publicity be ready for Makara and Summer. to get my patronage. At Coutts Crossing we will Richard Hughes endeavor to make our events attractive to people who Rosemary King are on a budget and with limited time.

Page 4 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 25

WCF RULES OF GOLF CROQUET NEW BOARD MEMBERS uninterrupted history as a community club reliant on PRINCIPAL CHANGES IN THE 5TH EDITION the energy, commitment and enthusiasm of its Richard Hughes members. The club plays Association, Golf and

GENERAL Ricochet and members compete in club and interclub This is a summary of major changes . More detail and explanations may be found in the Rationale document. What brought you to being a member of events in the 3 codes. Ballina has, for its size, a strong

the Board? roster of coaches, referees and umpires who are OFFSIDE BALLS Since starting to play croquet a few years ago I have been committed to improving and encouraging the enjoyment If a player plays an onside ball before a direction has been given about their offside ball, the onside ball cannot now be the Captain and Senior Vic President and Club Delegate and skills of members. The Ballina community has 2 clubs recalled. to Croquet NSW for Ballina Croquet. I have been involved with over 140 members playing on 2 courts 7 days a COURT AND EQUIPMENT in Northern Rivers Croquet Association (NRCA) events, week. Ballina Croquet is working hard with Ballina Council The court boundary is now the same as for AC so a ball leaves the court when en edge crosses the boundary instead of meetings and deliberations. Ballina and NRCA have and local, state and federal representatives, other its centre. benefitted from the work and commitment of Croquet sporting groups and agencies on the development of a NSW officials –Board members past and present, new croquet facility in Ballina on another site which will Scoring Clips are now not Outside Agencies when attached to a hoop, so it is safe to leave them in place when coaching and refereeing directors and several other benefit all croquet players in the area and beyond. Ballina attempting to run a hoop. However, either side can now require a clip to be removed before the stroke is played. volunteers who have provided advice, training, expertise is a friendly club with some members who want to Requirements for the adjustment of hoops and the peg are now set. and support. I wanted to be able to make a contribution compete at the highest level they can through to FAULTS to croquet state wide from a regional perspective. members for whom croquet is an enjoyable social Non-Striking Faults no longer exist. They are now treated as interferences and corrected, but there is no penalty. activity. Like many clubs, members have long term Striking faults are now just faults. What is your Board portfolio and what is your key focus friendships with each other solely because of croquet. for this for the next 12 months? Members look out for each other, checking up that a Two faults have been removed. These are the ones relating to “resting” the arm on the ground, leg or an outside At this stage I do not have a specific portfolio. I am keen member is OK if the member misses a series of play days. agency. These are seen as occurring predominantly in strokes used in AC that are rarely seen in GC. The fault of to familiarise myself with the range of issues that the touching the head of the mallet is now limited in time to the forward swing in which the stroke is played. This Board is dealing with. From my experience on other not           recognizes that such touching after the swing is completed gives the player no advantage. for profit boards the Board is important in setting goals Carol Hayes THE TURN AND TH STRIKING PERIOD and developing the strategies to achieve these goals. The Turns now begin as soon as the previous turn ends. There is no gap. This change enables the striking period to begin Board has a role in determining the success and ethos of croquet as a sport that caters for a wide range of What brought you to being a member of the before the ball is struck and, consequently, simplifies the faults rules. Board? members – members of all ages, abilities and interests in The striking period now begins when the player takes up a stance with the apparent intention of playing a stroke. This the sport from competing at the top echelons to those I began playing croquet when I retired in means that some errors can now be treated as faults which were previously non-striking faults. It is possible to interrupt for whom croquet is an important social and community 2002. Shortly after starting I entered a the striking period by breaking the stance, but this does not avoid faults already committed. outlet. Participation in croquet should be enjoyable, tournament at Maitland and brought home a big trophy

played by the rules and with ethical standards. On a and some cash! So of course I was hooked and since then Strokes may now be declared to be played. A player declaring a stroke must say which ball would have been played. have been quite successful playing at interclub and State procedural level I see the focus as the Board ensuring WRONG BALL PLAY that it has appropriate policies and procedures in place to level. The emphasis is now on obtaining a fair continuation of play, and not on punishment for playing a wrong ball. In most satisfy funding bodies that croquet is well managed and What is your Board portfolio and what is your key focus cases the remedy is for the wrong ball to be replaced and the correct ball played. Because this can lead to “gift hoops” compliant with these bodies’ requirements. for this for the next 12 months? after sequences of playing the partner ball, the non-offender now has in this case the option of a ball swap instead of What is your vision for croquet in NSW and what do you As a first time Director I expect it will be a sharp learning replace and replay. curve but I actually want to learn more about how CNSW think Clubs and individual members can do to support PENALTY AREA that? operates in relationship to its connection with clubs and The penalty spot is now enlarged to a semi-circle of radius 1 yard. This reduces the possibility of blocking tactics when I am keen for the boom in croquet’s numbers to continue their members and hopefully make an effective contribution to its policy and procedure. two or more balls are to be played from the same penalty area. The area can be used to continue the game after some through an increased profile for croquet. The best way rare occurrences where a neutral continuation position is required. As well as the current wrong hoop restart, the cases for this to be achieved is for publicity and communication What is your vision for croquet in NSW and what do you are 1) in overlapping play where both sides are at fault, and 2) when a side has played a wrong bal because the previous about achievements on the courts and benefits for think Clubs and individual members can do to support turn was played by the other side with an opponent’s ball. participants – belonging to a cohesive sporting that?

COMMUNICATION OF DECISIONS community, competitive and social engagements and for As my background is in vocational education and The rules now specify the obligations of the two sides to communicate decisions and to respond promptly to requests croquet to be well managed. Clubs and individuals can management, I am particularly interested in the for information or decisions in relation to: support the health of croquet by communicating their development of players especially in the areas of  offside ball directions; involvement in, passion for and the benefits of croquet to handicapping and player progression through the sport.

 whether Replace and Replay or Ball Swap will apply; them to the communities they are in. Individuals should feel validated for their participation at whatever level, as Tell us a bit about your local club and what you like best  whether balls are to be replaced after a fault; members are great ambassadors. Social media provides a about it?  the state of the game; and good opportunity for spreading the word and publicising  whether an extra stroke will be played in a handicap game I am currently a member of Wollongong Croquet Club the achievements of clubs and individuals. which is situated between the mountains and the sea and

BEHAVIOUR Tell us a bit about your local club and what you like best surrounded by parkland and sporting fields..... a really Options available to referees to deal with misbehavior have been increased. about it. idyllic place to play croquet where visitors are always Ballina Croquet was founded in 1936 and has enjoyed an welcome.

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MID NORTH COAST CROQUET COUNCIL (MNCCC) The ricochet competition was added this year. In each FORSTER CROQUET CLUB Derek Burrows (Sawtell -Winner C REPORT FOR 2018 match eight games of singles and two games of doubles Association Spring Carnival 2018 Block), with Fred Smith-White were played. The winning club was Port Macquarie. The Forster, Gloucester, Taree and Port Macquarie Clubs Forster Croquet Club has just held its Annual Spring have had another year of challenging competitions. Two The District Championships are held in September/ Carnival. We had a field of thirty players coming from all Barbara McTiernan levels of competition are played in association croquet, October each year. In association croquet level play directions of the state. A welcome BBQ, collection of golf croquet and ricochet. singles games are played between the divisional winners. Programs and Practice on Sunday started the week off.

The event was hosted by Forster, run by Barb McTiernan, The carnival was run as a Round Robin with five blocks of In the first half of the year Inter-Club Handicap Tournament Manager and the winners were: six, one game a day, 2½ hours single banked and 2¾ Competitions are held. Each club plays against the other Division 1 Ray Vize (Forster) hours doubled banked. As we have four courts all players three clubs in one day competitions. Division 2 Graham Innocent (Forster) had three games single banked and two games double Division 3 Sue Shenton (Port Macquarie) In golf croquet there are twelve games of singles and banked. The single is very popular! GALA DAY AT GLOUCESTER - BEVERLEY MURRAY twelve games of doubles in each match. The 2018 winner Division 4 Neil Fuller (Forster) The weather was not good Monday but improved for the On 1st September Gloucester Golf Croquet Club of the Jan Sage Plate was the Gloucester Club. Gloucester hosted the golf croquet championships on a remaining days. The courts were running really well and welcomed a pleasant spring day for their annual Gala In association croquet, because of the limited number of wet and windy day. Bev Murray and her team organised such a pleasure for many of the visitors to play on. We Day, along with thirty-nine players from nine clubs: players, four games of singles and two games of doubles the day. This is a team competition with singles and are played in each match. The 2018 winner of the Rogers are very lucky here at Forster. Toronto, Manly, Newcastle National Park, Mr Sugarloaf, doubles games played. The winners were: Forster, Macquarie City, Myall Park, Maitland and Nelson Plate was the Port Macquarie Club. Division 1 Forster (Ray Vize and Sandy Penny Jude was the Referee in Charge for about the fifth Bay. Lyn Stewart from the Gloucester Club was called Coutts) year running and she did a great job. Lots of the visitors upon late on Friday night owing to a last-minute Division 2 Gloucester (Bev Murray, plus locals were extremely cooperative when it came to withdrawal. Margaret-Rose Thompson from Nelson Bay Yvonne Bagnall and Brenda Refereeing. Nearly every game had a Referee. once again was our Gala Day Referee-in-Charge. She was Pennicuik) The kitchen was fully operational, plenty of volunteers to ably assisted by Janine Crellin and Jan Sage from Taree Division 3 Forster (Debbie Fuller, help and also many donations of slices/cakes. No one and Penny Jude and Tom Adams from Forster. Some Norma Bogan and Daphne went hungry. players also assisted during the day. Young) The Block Winners and Runners-up: This was a doubles day. Play was over 4 Blocks, each pair The ricochet championships were held at playing four games over the day. Vice President Elaine Taree, organised by Jan Sage. The A: Bill Blowes, Wagga, Graham Cullen, Nowra. Leech welcomed the visitors then handed over to winners were: B: John Piggott Urunga, John Talbot, Taree. Margaret-Rose to deliver the format for the day. Division 1 Sue Moss (Port Macquarie) C: Derek Burrows, Sawtell, Tom Akre, Taree. Players were treated to our very popular soup and Division 2 Bridget Earle (Port D: Peter Deeth, Coutts Crossing, Bruce Byatt, Forster damper lunch, with morning and afternoon tea (home- Macquarie) E: Sandra Colquhuon, Cammeray, David Rush, Killara. cooked scones, cakes and slices) available all day. Division 3 Janine Crellin (Taree) Congratulations to all who played in this Carnival. The day concluded with the drawing of numerous prizes Division 4 Keith Dalton (Port Macquarie We finished up with a Presentation of Pizza and red and followed by the announcement of Block Winners.

white wine. Block A: Brenda Wild and Carol Goodman. With the introduction of ricochet we are delighted that eight of our players are As a thank you to players a lucky dip was drawn, prize Block B: Cheryl Lloyd and Sandy now ricochet referees, thanks to the help being a free entry into next year’s Carnival and the Tawa. and guidance of Margaret Thompson. winner was Bill Blowes from Wagga. Block C: Anne Johnston and Barbara Moran. Block D: Wayne Johnston & Marion The final event of the year will be the A most enjoyable week at Forster was had by all. Christmas Party and Trophy Presentation Graff. at Port Macquarie. The four clubs are very supportive of these inter-club Graham Cullen (Nowra) events which foster friendship and lively Rimmer-up Block A with Fred Smith –White (Forster CC Vice President Elaine competition between our players President) Leech and Margaret-

Rose Thompson with

Block A winners Carol

Goodman and Brenda Bridget Earle Carol Dwyer Wild. President Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Colquhoun (Cammeray) Winner E Block, with Barb McTiernan, Tournament Manager

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Port Macquarie Golf Croquet Carnival 50th ANNIVERSARY MANLY SEABREEZE 2018 th th 12 to 14 September 2018 - Colin Bradford and David Gibson

This annual carnival was held in glorious weather – always a blessing for croquet carnivals. The 36 players came GOLF from eleven different clubs, from Sawtell in the North to Jamberoo in the South. It was good to welcome a few new Manly Croquet Club’s 50th Seabreeze Tournament commenced in a blaze of Spring glory. Thirty-six players enjoyed golf players. croquet in perfect conditions warm, sunny, still days on our recently renovated lawns. The singles games, played on

Tuesday and Wednesday, 2nd and 3rd October, were an enjoyable time for players, spectators and organisers alike. Unfortunately, due to late withdrawals, five of our members were slotted into the competition. In the Singles, there Players were divided into six blocks of six, roughly graded on handicaps. First and second in each block received were 6 graded blocks of 6 players. The Doubles were seeded, with 4 blocks of 8 players, and arranged so that there certificates and prizes. The results of the singles were: was a good challenging warm-up at the beginning of each day – Block A: (1,8), (2,7), (3,6), (4,5). Block B: (9,16), (10,15), .... Block A was won by Steve Miles from Cammeray, Block B by Rob Wright from Mosman, Block C by Richard Hobbs

from Manly, Block D by Lisa Kelshaw from Manly, Block E by Fidye Westgarth from Mosman and Block F by Penny The Doubles winners were: Paterson from Mosman. Block A: Fred Smith-White (Forster) and Roy Corse Spring departed between the singles matches finishing and the doubles commencing. Organisers arrived on Thursday (Smithtown) morning to find puddles of such a size that one court seemed to be unplayable. But thanks to an ease in the intensity of Block B: Garry Saxton (S.W. Rocks) and Lynley Mitchell the rainfall, a sandy base to all our lawns, and the hard work of two men with brooms, all courts were playable by the (Urunga) scheduled start time. Unfortunately, the rain continued unabated for the two days of competition, and consequently Block C: Joseph De Giovanni (Manly) and Jim Timbs (Nelson some players became unwell and had to withdraw after playing some, but not all, of their games. Our three blocks of 6 Bay) pairs were reduced to one block of 6, one block of 5 and one block of 3. Nevertheless, those who persevered enjoyed Block D: Joan Wheatland (Sawtell) and Robyn Clarke (Port their games and played good croquet despite the soggy conditions. If any Clubs in drought affected areas of NSW want Macquarie) an end to the drought, consider inviting Manly Club’s Golf Croquet tournament organiser, Colin Bradford, to assist you Sadly, on Friday Peter and Elaine Coles had to withdraw with organising your next tournament. It has rained during almost every tournament he has organised over the last from the competition. All blocks were fiercely contested three years. but it appears that ‘local knowledge’ was an advantage. The results of the doubles matches were: Only 2 players were undefeated – Stephen Howes in Block Block A was won by Elaine and Peter Coles from Forster, Block B by Greg Deakin (Killara) and Griselda Prins A and Erlinda Attwater in Block D. The Singles results were: (Mosman) and Block C by Anthea Piddington and Heather Sherlock from Mosman. Block A Winner: Stephen Howes (Cammeray) My sincere thanks to all who refereed, particularly to Wendy Fothergill and Jim Hicks who were not playing. Runner-up: John Mitchell (Urunga) Block B Winner: Liz Woods (S.W. Rocks) Runner-up: Roy Corse (Smithtown) Block C Winner: Kevin Attwater (Port Macquarie) Runner-up: Lyn Dalziel (Sawtell) Block D Winner: Erlinda Attwater (Port Macquarie) Runner-up: Janelle Brown (Jamberoo) Block E Winner: Keith Dalton (Port Macquarie) Runner-up: Jim Timbs (Nelson Bay) Block F Winner: Robyn Clarke (Port Macquarie) ASSOCIATION Runner-up: Pam Dingle (Nelson Bay) th Events in the Association part of the Seabreeze kicked off on Saturday 6 October with the courts underwater. The rained eased and the courts soon drained with play commencing close to the starting time. The rain came down and As usual, many of our club members contributed to the success of the carnival by helping with the organisation, kept coming down but the players braved the conditions and play went on. That is until about lunchtime on Wednesday keeping the players supplied with food and drink, taking action and group photos and donating gifts for the 3 daily when the courts went under again and play in six matches had to be suspended and the courts pegged down. We did raffle prizes. have two days when it didn’t rain. My sincere thanks to the players who played in atrocious conditions without We were very grateful to the many players and club referees who volunteered to referee, under the supervision of complaint and the referees Jim Hicks, Maria Morton, Ron Humpherson, Bob Green and Fay Simpson. My thanks also to the Tournament Referee, Trevor Thornton. the players who refereed.

Two social functions were held. On Wednesday night many had dinner at The Westport Club, to whom we are now Steve Miles from Cammeray won Block 1 with four wins on a count back. David Stanton from Cammeray won Block 2 affiliated. Jenny Edmunds, Community and Sports Manager, The Westport Club, and Peta Pinson, Port Macquarie- with four wins on a count back. Glenda Chaplyn from Southport Qld won Block 3 with four wins. Block 4 was won by Hastings Council Mayor, presented the prizes. We thank the Westport Club and the Council for their support and Evelyn Humpherson from Cammeray with four wins. Block 5 was won by Michael Gill from Cammeray on a count back sponsorship. A dinner in the clubhouse followed the presentation. Judy Chapman and Helen Meers catered for the with 3 players having four wins event. The Mary Duckworth Memorial Trophy for the bronze player with the most hoops in singles matches went to Graham The collage that accompanies this report is also available on the club’s website. The photos were taken by Herman Maynard from Cammeray. Stephen Howes from Cammeray was surprised to win the Jean Hay Trophy for the most Camphuis and made into a collage by me. A collage photo will be emailed to all participants, as a momento of the peg outs but conditions made pegging out tough. carnival. My thanks to all the Manly members who made this tournament run smoothly. Special thanks to Rhonda Newton who, with her team, looked after the social side of things and to Rose Anne White who organized the team to set up the Bridget Earle courts each morning. Carnival Manager All the scores can be found on “croquetscores”.

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NOWRA SPRINGNOWRA G.C. SPRING CARNIVAL G.C. CARNIVAL UK to makeUK upto themake up the three 'Australianthree 'Australian CROQUET CROQUET Sixteen playersSixteen from players Wollongong, from Wollongong, Jamberoo, EDSACJamberoo, EDSAC Block B’s Di & BrianBlock with B’s Di & Brian with Team' couples,Team' socouples, so Margaret SawersMargaret Sawers (Bateau Bay),(Bateau Toronto, Bay), Young Toronto, and NowraYoung andcompeted Nowra incompeted in the Nailseathe ClubNailsea Club the Nowra Golfthe NowraCroquet Golf Singles Croquet handicap Singles and handicap level play and level play ASHES ASHES arranged twoarranged Expat two Expat tournament tournamentheld at the heldNowra at clubthe Nowraon Friday club 19th on Fridayto 19th to couples livingcouples in the living in the Monday 22ndMonday October 22nd 2018. October The games2018. wereThe games played were in played in UK to makeUK upto themake up the two blocks twodouble blocks round double robin round format robin with format the first with the first Barbara MurrayBarbara received Murray a received a three 'Australianthree 'Australian round playedround as handicapplayed as play handicap and the play second and -theround second -round special prize special prize Team' couplesTeam' (Truth couples (Truth is that one ofis thatour teamone of members our team was members a Scotsman was awho Scotsman who level play. level play. After visitingAfter their visiting UK agent their eachUK agentyear, Petereach year,and Peter and has a daughterhas living a daughter in Sydney). living Ain trueSydney). Australian A true Team? Australian Team? Margaret SawersMargaret Sawers Elaine ColesElaine drive Colesdown driveto visit down their to friends visit their at the friends at the Bock A wasBock won AWayne was won Worrall Wayne (Nowra Worrall) who (Nowra won 11) who won 11 – well almost.– well almost. Photos: Bob Photos:Williamson Bob Williamson Nailsea CroquetNailsea Club Croquet (4 lawns) Club near (4 lawns)Bristol nearfor their Bristol for their out of 14 gamesout ofto 14beat games Bruce to Glasgow beat Bruce (Toronto) Glasgow with (Toronto) 10 with 10 annual get togetherannual get and together a lunch andat the a lunch Pub afterat the the Pub after the wins. wins. The first threeThe games first three commenced games commenced at 9.30am and at 9.30amthe last and the last games. Lastgames. year Peter Last suggested year Peter to suggested the members to the of members of Block B wasBlock won Bby was Di wonMilne by (Nowra) Di Milne with (Nowra) 10 wins. with 10 wins. LITHGOW LITHGOWCLUB REPORT CLUB REPORT three gamesthree finished games at 1.30pm. finished at 1.30pm. the Nailsea theClub Nailsea that "we Club should that make"we should this an make Ashes this an Ashes When the lastWhen game the of last block game B betweenof block BrianB between Mitchell Brian SpringMitchell finally Spring seems finally to have seems arrived to have and arrivedLithgow and Croquet Lithgow Croquet event on anevent annual on basis".an annual The basis". Nailsea Thereply Nailsea was reply was (Nowra) and(Nowra) Barbara and Murray Barbara (Jamberoo) Murray (Jamberoo)began, both began, Club both members Club are members looking areforward looking to packingforward awayto packing their away their Australia wonAustralia the Inaugural won the Ashes Inaugural Ashes "what a splendid"what idea". a splendid This idea".was put This to thewas Nailseaput to the Nailsea Brian and BarbaraBrian and had Barbara won 8 games had won each. 8 games Brian each.won to Brian winter won towoollies! winter Which woollies! does Whichnot mean does we not have mean been we idle have been idle Series SevenSeries Games Seven to Two.Games It to Two. It Committee whoCommittee gave it theirwho gavefull support. it their full support. claim the runnerclaim up the prize. runner up prize. over the chillyover season. the chilly season. was then "offwas tothen the "off Pub to for the Pub for

Lunch" whereLunch" Australia where wasAustralia was Barbara in thirdBarbara place in wasthird awarded place was an awardedencouragement an encouragement In September, In September,we hosted a we Referee hosted Course a Referee run byCourse Manual run by Manual An Ashes UrnAn wasAshes made Urn inwas Old made Bar in NewOld BarSouth in New South presented withpresented the Urn with over the fish Urn over fish award as sheaward entered as shethe enteredtournament the tournamenton a handicap on ofa handicapand Glenda of andGutierrez Glenda from Gutierrez Jamberoo. from AsJamberoo. well as a Asgroup well as a group Wales by a friendWales ofby Peter’s a friend and of aPeter’s peg stick and froma peg the stick from the and Chips andand aChips beer. and It wasa beer. a It was a 11 unaware11 that unaware she would that shebe playingwould belevel playing games level of gamesLithgow ofRefs Lithgow in Training, Refs inplayers Training, from players Epping from and Epping and Forster CroquetForster Club Croquet and the Club Nailsea and theCroquet Nailsea club Croquet club wonderful funwonderful event, funheld event,in a held in a against playersagainst on handicapsplayers on muchhandicaps lower much than lowerherself than Strathfield herself alsoStrathfield participated. also participated. The day was The declared day was a declared a were 'broughtwere to ashes''brought in twoto ashes' small in fires two in small Australia fires in Australia beautiful partbeautiful of England part amongof England among and managedand to managedwin 8 out toof win14 games. 8 out of 14 games. resounding success.resounding M success.and G had M come and Gwell had prepared, come well as prepared, as and England.and England. members ofmembers a Croquet of club a Croquet who club who had participants,had participants, with many knottywith many questions knotty answered. questions answered. The Urn wasThe mounted Urn was on mounted a small stand on a andsmall it standand the and it and the After the gamesAfter finishedthe games a BBQfinished lunch a wasBBQ enjoyedlunch was by enjoyed by had as muchhad pleasureas much as pleasure the as the There was alsoThere the was opportunity also the opportunityto put all the to theoryput all intothe theory into Australian ashesAustralian in a plastic ashes bag in a were plastic taken bag towere Nailsea taken to Nailsea players and playersworkers and before workers the presentationbefore the presentation of prizes of prizes Australians Australiansin making ina dreammaking a dream practice, so nonpractice,-participants so non- participantsalso gained analso insight gained into an theinsight into the for the mixingfor thewith mixing the English with theashes English and placedashes and placed was made. was made. come true! come true! challenges ofchallenges effective refereeing.of effective refereeing. together in thetogether Urn. inThe the top Urn. was The then top glued was tightlythen glued tightly

never to be neveropened. to be The opened. Inaugural The Ashes Inaugural event Asheswas event was In the same Inmonth, the same John month, Park was John in Brazil,Park was participating in Brazil, participating in in Postscript: AlreadyPostscript: we Alreadyhave ninewe coupleshave nine who couples have who have the World Gateballthe World Union Gateball Championship. Union Championship. He was selected He was selected put into the putcalendar into the in Nailsea. calendar in Nailsea. expressed interestexpressed in cominginterest to in Nailseacoming nextto Nailsea year, so next if year, so if to join the Kewto join team, the whichKew team, became which the becamefirst Australian the first Australian The membersThe of membersthe Nailsea of Croquetthe Nailsea Club Croquet had gone Club to had goneyou to are interestedyou are in interested coming along in coming too, please along givetoo, Peterplease give Peter team to progressteam to toprogress the knockout to the roundsknockout of roundsthe of the great effort greatto make effort Peter to makeand Elaine Peter welcomeand Elaine with welcome a with ring on 0419419106a ring on 0419419106 and it will be and organized. it will be organized. competition,competition, where they where were theydefeated were bydefeated eventual by eventual Australian flagsAustralian all over flags the allclub over house the onclub one house side on one side runners up.runners A great up. achievement! A great achievement! John relished John the relished the and Englishand flags English on theflags other. on the Koala other. Bears, Koala Bears, opportunity opportunityto play Gateball to play at Gateballthis level at of this skills level and of skills and Didgeridoos,Didgeridoos, Boomerangs Boomerangs and small Australian and small Flags Australian Flags Peter Coles Peter Coles strategy andstrategy will always and rememberwill always theremember roar of theover roar 500 of over 500 were on a presentationwere on a presentation table, and a table,Top Hat and with a Top the Hat with the spectators asspectators a local Brazilian as a local team Brazilian won theteam final won on thethe final on the Action shots: PatAction Moroney shots: (Janberoo) Pat Moroney on left (Janberoo) and Bernie on leftMcAlary and Bernie McAlary English Flag Englishemblazoned Flag emblazonedon it and another on it and Top another Hat Top Hat (Wollongong)) on(Wollongong)) right. on right.last play. last play. with a centrewith peg a stickingcentre pegout stickingof the top out was of theon topthe was on the

John Park celebratesJohn Park with celebrates with English table.English table.

the victorious Braziliansthe victorious Brazilians

We look forwardWe look to forward to Everyone enjoyedEveryone a welcome enjoyed a welcome the challengethe ofchallenge the of the lunch break lunch break NSW NSWState State championshipchampionship in Canberra in CanberraNovember, in thoughNovember, we realise though we realise that there is thatmuch there we need is much to workwe need on. to work on.

VISIT THE CNSWVISIT THE CNSW As is also trueAs isof also our truelawn, of which our lawn, has beenwhich relentlessly has been relentlessly WEB SITE WEB SITE attacked by attackedbugs and by birds bugs in andrecent birds times, in recent adding times, to the adding to the The scene wasThe setscene for wasa not set very for seriousa not very inaugural serious inaugural https://www.croquethttps://www.croquet-nsw.org -nsw.org normal winternormal growth winter slowdown. growth However, slowdown. we However, have a new we have a new Ashes Series.Ashes In fact, Series. the AshesIn fact, Day the was Ashes restricted Day was to restricted to mowing contractormowing oncontractor board and on recentlyboard and held recently a garage held a garage three sets ofthree three sets games of three of three games Australian of three couples Australian couples Block A ‘s WayneBlock and A Bruce ‘s Wayne and Bruce with Club Captainwith Club Captain sale to boostsale funds, to boost so will funds, continue so will to continuework on tolawn work on lawn playing threeplaying English three couples English - resulting couples in - resultinga total of in a total of Margaret SawersMargaret Sawers improvement.improvement. nine games nineof onegames hour of maximum.one hour maximum.Because the Because the

So our eyes areSo our resolutely eyes are turned resolutely onwards turned and onwards upwards and as upwards as organizationorganization was formalized was formalizedonly a few only months a few months

we head intowe summer! head into summer! before the event,before Peterthe event, was unable Peter wasto organize unable toany organize any Australians toAustralians accompany to Elaineaccompany and himself Elaine toand the himself to the newsletter@[email protected] -nsw.org Penny Park Penny Park

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EXCITING TIMES AT NELSON BAY strategies to improve our game. Trevor’s enthusiasm for TEMPE OPEN 2018 NSW AC OPEN SINGLES 2018 the game is rubbing off on many members, and he had A lot of good things have been happening at Nelson Bay no trouble finding players to fill a Division 2 and Division This event was played over the weekend of The AC Open Singles was played at Tempe over three Croquet Club this year, and it looks like they’re set to 3 team in this year’s State Pennants competition – the 27-28 October, with 6 players taking part. days from Saturday 3 November. Originally scheduled for continue in 2019. The most exciting news is that it first time our Club has ever entered. The Division 2 For the second year, it was played using four days, as entries closed there were only 6 entrants, appears our much-needed additional courts will become team’s results were split evenly between wins and losses Super Advanced (SA) rules, these rules being devised in and with the fourth day coinciding with the Melbourne a reality next year. Earlier this year, Port Stephens in the preliminary round, while the Division 2 team did order to increase the amount of interaction during a Cup it was reduced to three days. In the event late Council applied to the NSW Government’s Stronger exceptionally well going through the preliminary matches game. One feature of SA is that the first turn of the game entries brought the field up to 8. The format was always Country Communities Fund for a grant on our behalf. At undefeated. They lost a very tight match in their semi- must either leave the court, hit a hoop or the peg, or run to be a round robin followed by best-of-3 knockout. the end of September, the news came through that final in Sydney to the eventual winners. Trevor is looking hoop 1. Most players opted for either a standard $200,000 had been allocated for our new courts. The to increase the number of teams next year, so watch out opening to the East boundary, or a corner 2 opening. With a round robin occupying most of the first 2 days, an Club first started discussing the need for extra courts for Nelson Bay! innovative format for the semi-finals was adopted. The back in 2013 with the development of a detailed strategy The other innovation with SA is the introduction of a third Many of our more competitive members regularly travel top 4 players after the round robin went into the for expanding club facilities. It has been a tortuous path lift hoop at hoop 4. This is intended to put a stop to the away to compete in regional events, and the rise in skill knockout (1 vs 4, 2 vs 3) but one of the two players since then, with many side-tracks and a couple of u-turns, common practice of making 9 hoops with your first ball, levels is obvious to all. This year we had our first State carried forward one win: if one player had more wins but we think we’ve finally got to the end of the tunnel. then triple-peeling with your second ball to win the Champions – Cheryl Lloyd and Sandy Tawa won the NSW than the other in the round robin, that player started one game, giving your opponent only three shots. In addition Nelson Bay is a big retirement area, and we have double Golf Croquet Handicap Doubles Championships in a tight game up, but if both players had equal wins, then the to the normal lift and contact lift, your opponent has a lift the proportion of over-55s compared to the rest of the competition, with a countback required to separate them winner of the head-to-head in the round robin had the to position if you make three lift hoops ahead of your country. Port Stephens Council recognises the unique from Bill and Marie Munns. Two very excited ladies and one game lead. This had the advantage that all games partner ball in a single turn. Watching the various character of the area and the need to provide for active one very proud club! With an enthusiastic and seemingly options taken by players was interesting. Many took were meaningful even after a player had clearly qualified retirees. That is why they have been such a strong tireless Margaret-Rose Thompson at the helm, Ricochet is their first ball to 1-back, conceding a lift, one or two went – you had to keep winning to secure the one game carry supporter of our quest for additional lawns – in fact one also flourishing at Nelson Bay. The number of players beyond 1-back, conceding contact. Nobody conceded a forward – important with the qualifying occupying more of the local Councillors specified in his manifesto for the who regularly play this form of croquet has increased to lift to position. than half the available sessions. last elections that he would be pushing for additional over 30, and as a result we’ve had to introduce a second croquet facilities. That has got to be a first!! Ricochet session each week. One player habitually stopped at hoop 5, having The weather was bakingly hot and humid, especially on The Nelson Bay Croquet Club was established in 1996 Like many clubs, we’re struggling to keep Association conceded a lift. This put him in a good position to go to 4 the Saturday. The lawns were in excellent shape but the with 17 players, but now boasts over 100 members, with viable. But we don’t plan to throw in the towel – we -back with either ball on his next turn, after which he hoops were very tight (and they were rejecting rather another 8 in the wings waiting to learn the game. Even have developed a strategy centred around our Ricochet could triple-peel to win the game. The argument for than jawsing). There was a premium on getting close and though we’re not actively seeking new members, they players that we hope will attract more players to this going to hoop 5 rather than 1-back is that it is easier to straight in front. One early oddity: in the first round with still keep coming! It’s been a struggle to cater for this form of the game. It may not work, but we’ll give it our triple-peel starting from 5 and 4-back than it is from 1- 4 players double banked on lawn 2, after about an hour number of members, but we have managed by doubling best shot – we’re up for the challenge back and 4-back. Given that the exponent of this tactic all 8 clips were on hoop 3 – each player was for 3 and 4- the number of playing sessions, and splitting the courts in went on to win the event, it obviously makes sense! Port Stephens offers excellent facilities and a great back! The clips on 3 were symptomatic of the tight half for the most popular sessions. No-one likes playing climate for year round sport - blessed with 26 beaches, hoops. All games were played in good spirit and many of on half courts, but needs must. We do have three Callum Hyland and Nick Chapman each had only one loss the largest sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, and the games were very tight, including a number of 2-on-1 sessions of specified full-court play, for which we’ve had in the round robin, with Callum losing 26-25 to Rob the Great Lakes Marine Park and a National Park games after a peg out. to introduce a booking system. It doesn’t take much Elliott, and Nick losing 26TP-13 to Callum. Both these encompassing 42,000 hectares. With a wide range of imagination to guess how much we’re looking forward to players completed three triple-peels during the round accommodation, Port Stephens is a great place to visit. After 6 of the 7 rounds Peter Landrebe was the only the extra courts. robin. They then played a best-of-3 final, with the round We even boast a recently opened Rick Stein restaurant player sure to qualify, and there were 3 players sure to robin game between them as the first game in the best-of The exciting news on the new courts is not the only good and Bannisters resort. Come to Nelson Bay, enjoy the qualify for the plate (!), so there were 3 places available -3. Callum played immaculate croquet to win the second thing happening at the Club. We now have a very scenery, and play croquet – we’re always keen to for 4 players. With about 15 minutes on the clock and game 26TP-0, to win the event. enthusiastic group of Golf Croquet coaches under the welcome visitors from other clubs. one game to complete only one hoop separated the two leadership of Trevor Black, and a very popular program of Linda Butler (President) & David Stanton Alans for the last spot. Alan Walsh was the unlucky one monthly coaching sessions has been introduced to David Wilson (Secretary) Tournament Manager to miss out with 4 wins out of 7, and the semi finals were provide us with additional tips on playing techniques and Peter Landrebe one game up against Alan Honey (even though Alan was the only one to beat Peter in the round The new courts will go immediately to the right of our existing courts – robin), and Rob Elliott one game up against Alix Verge. the road will move! Peter beat Alan to progress to the final, But Alix beat Rob to tie the match, then Rob got up by 1 hoop in the last game. Peter then played outstandingly to win the final in two quick games. In the plate Stephen Richards and Alan Walsh beat Mike Hughes and Nerida Taylor respectively, then Stephen beat Alan in the final.

Playing on half courts – Mike Hughes the only way to cater for 100 members with 2 lawns Tournament Manager

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Many Thanks to those that assisted on the day as well as 2018 AT SAWTELL playing and thanks to Pam Markwell and Alan Brown for a well run event. MAKARA 2018 This last weekend was the Golf Doubles played at The year started on New Year’s Day with the Sawtell Carnival – the club has a fun day where members come along for some croquet and a shared lunch. Sutherland. There were 19 entries for a draw of 16 places. However the first big event for the year was April 6th— a double celebration – the Well, it's been a busy few weeks of croquet, with a mixed Within 2 days we were down to only 15 entries. Opening of our new Court 3 and the club’s 70th Birthday Celebration. bag of weather. But thankfully a few people stepped up at the last minute to fill the gaps and the event was able to go ahead. Rosemary Stillman cutting Marrickville held the Association 14 Under last weekend After many years of planning and with help and support from both State Government and the 70th Birthday Cake with only 4 players this year. I heard the club room was Coffs Harbour City Council and club members our much needed third court is up and flooded overnight. Not what you need in the middle of a running. The day started with a Welcome to Country, club president Bruce Glover comp. After a quick clean up play got under way with welcomed all and officially named the court the “Burrows Chapman” court in recognition of the many hours of work Charles Britton - Winning and Roberta Flint - Runner Up. contributed by Derek and Brenda Burrows, and the injection of funds by Rob and Margaret Chapman. Coffs City Mayor Well done to all players . Denise Knight and Andrew Fraser, local Member for Coffs Harbour, cut the ribbon to open the court. Then the dignitaries tried their hand at croquet. This event was followed by a birthday luncheon in the community hall nearby. A Also that same weekend Strathfield hosted the buffet luncheon was enjoyed by all, the birthday cake was cut by Rosemary Stillman who has been a playing member of Association Bronze Singles with extremely hot weather Sawtell for 30 years. for the players on the Saturday. There were 9 players. Play got under way on the Saturday with hot weather and

on the Sunday it was extremely windy and quite cool. April 27 saw day one of our Inaugural “3 days of Ricochet” Carnival. Visitors came from Port Macquarie, Ballina, Forster, The Winner of Block A was Nerida Phelps (Marrickville) Toronto and EDSAAC with locals making up the field of 16 players. Two blocks of 8 played 7 games, each 1 hour 30- with 3 wins and Runner up Ruth Duigan (2 wins). Block A was very close with Tony McArthur and David minutes, 14-point games. Chris Williamson from Toronto and Richard Hughes from Ballina were the winners. Now we Woods with 5 wins as well as Lynda Toms and Lorraine are planning our second Ricochet Carnival for April 5, 6 and 7 next year. Block B was won by Lorraine Hatfield.

Hatfield (Sutherland) (3 wins with But Lynda and Lorraine were Winners with 10 net points , th August and time for our 11 Annual four days of GC at Sawtell. Three separate competitions were played. Each day + 11) and Runner Up Werner Kos 1 point ahead of David and Tony, who were Runners-up started with 2 rounds of doubles – a high/low event designed as a get to know you competition. 38 players played 2 from Cammeray (pictured with Fay with 9 net points. days of level followed by 2 days of handicap games. The winners circle included Graham Innocent (Young), Kevin Parkes, Langdon from Epping), also on 3 Block B was won by Anne and Peter Cullen with 7 wins (Toronto) Geoff Chapman, (Urunga) Pamela Barnwell, (NNP) Lynley Mitchell, (Urunga), Jim Ball, (Nelson Bay) Derek Bull, wins with +5. and Runners up were Terrie Welsh and Margaret Morters (NNP) Derek Burrows, (Sawtell) Roy Corse, (Smithtown), Jan Sullivan, (Forster) Brenda Burrows, (Sawtell) and Catherine

with 6 wins. Waters (Urunga).

Also a very close contest.

The Labour Day long weekend always sees a charity day at Sawtell. Our Charity is the Westpac Helicopter Rescue

Service - this year we raised $812 dollars. This makes a total of some $6,000 dollars over the last 13 years. A good effort Lorraine and for a one day event. Nerida played off in the Finals with The Finals play off was won Lorraine as Winner and Nerida as th by Anne and Peter with October – the 11 Annual Four Days of AC at Sawtell. The forecast for the four days was showers and possibility of Runner up. (pictured here) Lynda and Lorraine Runners thunderstorms. Fortunately, the forecast was wrong. Players enjoyed four picture perfect days for playing Croquet.

Day 1 was a doubles day – 2 blocks payed four x 1 hour alternate strokes, 14 point games. Winners were David Surridge Congratulations to all players. Up. and Geoff Chapman, and Derek Burrows and Simon Cook. The last three games of the singles event were all played to

determine the block. In Block A John Piggott was a clear winner, winning all his games. Peter Richardson and Robert Many thanks to Anne Shaddick for a Many Thanks to John Eddes Kemp were playing for the runner-up prize. Peter had pegged out one ball; Robert got in with a chance to get to the well run event in Yvonne Webster's absence. for running the event over the peg, but missed a crucial roquet. Peter was the runner-up. On court 3 Bill Munns and Bill Strick were playing to win the 2 days. Port Hacking hosted the Golf Singles on Monday and block – Bill Strick was the winner, and on court 1 Penny Jude and Geoff Chapman were also playing to win the block – Tuesday. The weather was fine though a little warm for All results can be seen on croquetscores.com Geoff was successful. The winners for other two blocks were Glenda Chaplyn and Simon Cook. Another great finish to a the players on the Tuesday. successful four days of AC. Many thanks to all those that helped over the last couple Block A was won by Lynda Toms (5 wins) and Runner Up Lorraine Hatfield (3 wins) of weeks whether it be 'reffing', scoring, setting up courts Add to that our own club competitions, GC and chairs, supplying cakes or just washing up. All your Block B was won by Jill Sullivan (5 wins) Pennants plus social groups including regular visits and Runner Up Anne Cullen (3 wins) help is greatly appreciated. These events would not run from the R and R Disability group, life is fairly busy smoothly without it. at Sawtell Croquet Club. Lynda and Jill played off in the Finals Thank you to all that played in the MAKARA again this year. with Lynda as Winner I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and will be back again and Jill Runner Up. next year. To those that did not make it I wish you better

health next year. Jenny Arnold Anne Cullen presenting the Wal Fernance Golf Singles Trophy to Lynda Toms Happy Croqueting!

Anne Cullen Port Hacking

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Singles Block C winner Keith Dalton took up croquet only in January 2017. Old rugby chaps will remember Keith as a GATEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018 distinguished wing in the 1950s, and he is again excelling in a very different game. Or is it? The two great games have the same traditional values of hard play on the field and gentle camaraderie off the field. The 2018 championships were played at Canberra Croquet Club, Friday 16—Sunday 18 November. The success of the tournament was in large part due to the plethora of goodwill amongst the guests. When needed they We had people representing all inland states in readily substituted on the lawns and as Referees and Scorers, while in the kitchen tea towels were used to good effect by Australia for the first time. The tournament was visiting hands. played in beautiful weather and all courts at In his closing address Lismore Club President Barry Waters said the presence of so many happy people was testimony to Canberra were needed to accommodate the 10 the success of the tournament and a heart-warming reward for the efforts of his members. He paid particular tribute to teams events played on Saturday and Sunday. the catering and housekeeping team who finished each day with a polite surplus of goodwill, and kept the house in a Additionally, 17 teams contested the Doubles condition of social acceptability. Lawns manager Bruce Ross, he said, had done a wonderful job – despite four days of event which was played on Friday. double-banked play the lawns were, like their manager, running straight and true at a nice even pace.

Tournament Manager, Fay Ross, was high in her praise for the standards of play and the good sportsmanship that was abundantly evident throughout the four days. She also thanked the whole team who had worked together for months to Luckily for NSW we were able to return both trophies to their home bring this tournament into being. Every Lismore Club member had contributed in some way to the tournament. state after residing in Victoria for the last year. Teams event was won by Epstars, captained by Greg Deakin from Killara . When they departed Lismore Club’s Golf Tournament visitors left behind them a mighty lot of goodwill and an equal lot of thanks for some demanding croquet. Most of them said they will be back in 2019 and we will be disappointed if any Winners: Ruth Bridger, Sandra Townley, Ken Poole, Richard Thomas, NSW Gateball Co- one of them is unable to join us. ordinator Mary Dunn, Captain Greg Deakin, Jenny Brentnall and Leial Merson.

The Doubles was won by Winner Block A Graham Innocent with President Barry husband and wife team Waters Penny and John Park from Winner Block C Keith Dalton with President Lithgow, pictured with

Barry and Club Captain runners-up Moonki Kim and

Fay Ross his wife Yongsoon Yeh, from Korea.

They were visiting their daughter who lives in Canberra. Referees are in the

middle

Neville King &

Fred Moss (Fred won

Block B as well Glenda Yardy

as the Doubles with President Barry

with Neville) Some action shots:

JimYeo Photos courtesy Phyllis Waters

BYRON BAY CELEBRATES Article and Photos courtesy Mary Dunn and Peter Freer In 1928, a group of feisty Byron Bay ladies got together to start the first croquet club in the district. This was in response to the "men only" bowling club which was founded several years earlier. The ladies could be seen kneeling in frocks, weeding the lawns, and their hard work was rewarded with a club house approved by the council, and a membership of 41. Eventually men were able to join once the ladies could join the Byron Bay has celebrated 90 years! bowling club. During the 50's and 60's the aftermath of war and economic downturn led to the demise of several clubs in Read the story on p. 18 the area, but the BBCC managed to stay alive and strong. There have been many successes for pennants and championships over the years, building a proud tradition in the club. For our 80th birthday the Byron Shire Council built us a brand new clubhouse as a sign of support for our citizens. For our 90th birthday and Friendship day we invited all district clubs, plus citizens of Byron Bay, to enjoy afternoon tea, a birthday cake and of course croquet games. Thank you to all the people who attended (about 90) and those who helped make it such a special day. Lee Rogers (Vice-President)

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THE BRUTUS PLATE - EXTREME CROQUET LISMORE’S SPRING Rylstone, NSW (October 2018) TOURNAMENT

Wow, what a great day and completely unique. I have just experienced a Bush Croquet (“extreme croquet”) tournament this weekend that was a world away from the croquet we all know well in our clubs around NSW.

This annual event, the Brutus Plate, was held on a gorgeous property just outside Rylstone owned by the lovely Mike and Sue Pridmore , the hosts for this year due to Mike being the winner of the Brutus Plate last year. It was a little remote, A PRONOUNCED with the final leg being a 15 km drive on a dirt road to get there, but completely worth the trip. This was Croquet at its SUCCESS quirkiest and at its very best.

The Brutus Plate has been going for the last 28 years, and it all started with a group of friends who went to College together and decided to have a croquet competition. It is always held on a Sunday in October or November, and comprises a full day of Croquet, with a BBQ lunch and the (more than) occasional drink. This year some 30 bush croquet aficionados took part, as couples or as families.

There used to be one stipulation which was to down a pint before each game but now they are all in their 50’s and 60’s that rule has lapsed somewhat. Otherwise the rules of the event are minimal. Even cheating is allowed in some circumstances. Like bees attracted to blossoming Sweet Daphne, twenty-four players of enthusiasm converged on leisurely lovely late- spring Lismore bringing with them their mallets, friendly goodwill and a steely determination to win. And, like fully The course designer was Sam Hamilton who has an insatiable appetite for making the participants suffer by laying out laden bees, they left weary and happy after a joyfully busy time. some almost impossible hoops, but of course this was to the delight of spectators who were guaranteed the ultimate entertainment. Lismore Club’s Golf Tournament was played over four days during early November in unseasonal heat, occasionally experiencing a refreshing afternoon nor-easters from the Byron coast. The players came from many clubs - Young, The format consisted of heats (we refer to them as blocks) and the top 2 players of those heats went through to the semi Wollongong, Mt Sugarloaf, Toronto, Forster, Port Macquarie, Casino, Ballina and Ballina Cherry Street. Players -finals. There were 6 players in each semi-final, and the top 3 in each semi-final went into the Final which meant 6 competed in a remarkable 115 games on only two lawns. A triumph of planning, organisation and execution by Lismore players fighting it out in the final. Each player plays in order (the same as GC) until there is an eventual winner who gets Club and a proof of the stamina of visiting croquet players. through the last hoop in less shots than the others. The standard of play was quite competitive, with the challenging ambiance of the tournament bringing out unsuspected I came first in my heat which had a fairly simple course, and made it through to the semi-final along with 5 other players. talents - many players performed well above the levels of their handicaps. Spectators and opponents were treated to a The semi- final course was much more difficult than the initial heat. Hoop 2 was placed on a tree stump, hoop 3 was by a catalogue of croquet styles in strokes, strategies and tactics, all of which had their moments of success. wombat hole and the last hoop was on an ants nest. The more experienced players, who had developed the perfect knack of flicking the ball into the air using the end of the mallet shaft, raced through hoop 2 (the tree stump). Sad to The Croquet Gremlin was well in evidence, turning certain hoops into disasters fairly even-handedly and (very) say, I didn’t have that level of technical expertise! The hoop on the ants nest required speed and nimble footwork, as occasionally giving a bonus lucky stroke to a deserving player. It’s probably fair to say that both the bad luck and the each player had to run up, hit the ball quickly towards the hoop, and then flee at the rate of knots – it was hilarious – this good fortune were fairly evenly, but not equally, distributed. After four days of uncompromising competition the results were: was the most entertaining hoop for the spectators. The local guys left me for dead.

Perhaps not surprisingly, I didn’t make it to the final. The course for the final had some near impossible hoops - hoop 2 Doubles: Doubles victors: was placed on a 45 degrees slope in heavy bush up the side of a hill, while the last hoop was carefully placed in a bath Winners: Fred Moss and Neville King (Lismore/Ballina) Runners up: Brenda Wild and Bernadette Ryan (Mt Sugarloaf/ Brenda Wild & full of green, stagnant water. (I should point out that this was an abandoned bath tub found on the property, and not a Bernadette Ryan Lismore) reflection on the hosts’ personal hygiene habits.) (runners-up), Neville King and A lot of the shots involve flicking the ball up (always using the end of the handle) in the air to get it through the hoop Singles Fred Moss (winners) because some of the hoops were many feet from the ground. In past years hoops have been placed on logs in dams, Block A Winner: Graham Innocent (Young) through electric fences, on tractors, in forks of trees, and suspended in mid-air. My favourite was having to get a ball Runner-up: Ray Chapman (Ballina Cherry Street) through a hoop which was inside the broken windscreen of a rolled ute. The rougher the terrain the more exciting the Block B Winner Fred Moss (Lismore) course is. Runner-up: Mary Grieg (Forster) Block C Winner Keith Dalton (Port Macquarie) The winner of this year’s Brutus Plate was Craig Currie from Rylstone, making this his third victory in this event. He really Runner-up: Glenda Yardy (Mt Sugarloaf) did have the knack of scooping the ball in the air very effectively and he was also very accurate. Many of the others were too, and it wouldn’t take much to get them into the NSW State Team! While these players justly earned their victories, no winners came off the field without knowing they had been in a fight. Everybody was so welcoming, friendly and very relaxed. These guys have all known each other for decades, and there is Every hoop had to be hard-won, and games were won against a 3-6 lead. Lazurus’ recovery would not have been no doubt that the Brutus Plate will be going on for many more years to come. newsworthy at Lismore Spring Tournament compared to the recovery of some players.

I feel honoured to have been asked by Craig Currie to attend this magnificent event next year as well. Noticeable among the players, Mary Ayshford (Casino) played a resolutely determined game that kept her opponents under constant pressure. Bernie McAlary (Wollongong) used Thor’s hammer to send thunderbolts streaking across the Just as there are now three forms of cricket, perhaps we should consider officially adding a third form of our great game. lawn. Edna Kelly (Young) played an intelligent game that was admired by opponents as well as spectators and Bill I am sure the Brutus Cup gang would love to host next year’s Bush Croquet World Championships! Munns (Toronto) matched the crafty cunning of experience with meticulous stroke play; there is no truth in the rumour

that Bill’s croquet training regime includes wrestling with lions, but it is believable.

Alison Sharpe …..Contd p.18

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THE MOSMAN PRIZE FOR GOLF CROQUET 2018

On the weekend 3-5 November Mosman Croquet Club held its annual open event for GC players. Thirty-two entrants from all around the State battled for the prizes generously donated by Geoff Grist of Richardson and Wrench Real Estate, Mosman and Neutral Bay. First Prize was $300, second $200, third $150 and fourth $100. In addition there were prizes of $75 and $50 for the winner and runner-up in a consolation Plate. Everybody got plenty of croquet, with a total of ten games for each entrant.

The weather was very hot on the first day. This continued into the Saturday which made it an exhausting day, especially those who had to play five games. Fortunately the Sunday was much cooler.

Initially the players were divided into four blocks seeded by similar handicaps. The winners and runners-up in each block then went into a two-life elimination final. Everybody else still had a chance to win a prize in the Plate. In the Blue Block

Greg Deakin of Killara was on song, losing only one game to win the block. Ron Johnstone of Sutherland (last year’s Prize One Participant A Mallet used Flicking the ball up with 45 degree angle to next hoop Last hoop - an abandoned bath Finals runner up) came in second with four wins, just edging out Steve Thornton on net points. In the Black Block Steve handle was handy shot Miles of Cammeray was the clear winner with 6 wins. Ron Humpherson of Mosman was runner up. The Red and the Some of Alison’s photos Green Blocks both produced block winners from the Mosman home team: Vaughn Pairman and Richard Westgarth. Runners up were Alan Robinson of Manly and John Reynolds of EDSACC.

With three finalists, the Mosman crowd was hoping to see a local boy win the Prize for the first time in five years. However it was not to be. In the elimination event Greg Deakin continued his good form to make the 1st/2nd Final against Vale rd th Ron Johnstone. Alan Robinson and John Reynolds played off for the 3 /4 Final. These four provided the entertainment MARGARET BURKE while everybody else settled down with a glass of wine and their gourmet lunch to watch. The match between Greg (handicap 5) and Ron (handicap 0) was a great battle. They came to the 12th with Ron one up, but Greg with two extra Margaret started her croquet career, at the Epping Croquet in the mid 80’s. She very quickly became a very turns in hand. Sadly for Greg his solid roqueting deserted him at this point and Ron made the hoop to take out his first competent player. Loving the game so much, often played 3 times a week. Margaret had a wonderful sense of Mosman Prize. It was an equally absorbing contest for 3rd and 4th place, which went to the 13th Hoop with Alan beating humour, and many times over lunches or afternoon teas, which she loved, would have everyone laughing, but John. when it came to game time, she was a very serious competitor. From the 1995 Croquet Newsletter. Bronze Singles: “Congratulations to the winner Dennis Faggotter,( scored the The Plate was decided on the number of wins over the ten games of those who did not make the finals. The winner was maximum 18 pts) The surprised runner up was Margaret Burke from Epping, who was playing in her first C.P.A. Val Lloyd of Coogee. Steve Thornton (Maitland Club) was second, reminding us all that to get there he had had to deal competition.” with over 50 extra turns for his opponents. Margaret played in as many competitions as possible, rising in handicap to play in the Gold singles and Doubles Thanks to our visiting referees, Michael Strickland and Stephen Howes who had to endure some torrid weather out on partnered by myself. the lawns. In her early days, still Bronze players, Margaret suggested we play in the Women’s Open Doubles. We entered and Thank you also to all at Mosman who contributed to the success of our tournament. These events are not possible soon found ourselves mainly watching. Eventually Margaret said to me “what are we doing here?“ We laughed it without the support of the volunteers who give up their weekend: being there at the crack of dawn to set up, preparing off, but it showed her spirit and love of the game. Along with other croquet friends, we also visited many country and serving all that food and of course cleaning up everything afterwards. Carnivals. Besides good games and friendship, she dearly loved her slice of cake. I think her favourite tournament was The Fransted, played over Easter, many years ago. She enjoyed the opportunity to test her skills against all Thank you to all the competitors for the way in which they entered into the spirit of the three days. With such a tight levels of play. program it was essential to keep things moving. But there was time for a bit of socialising, which is an essential part of visiting Mosman. We enjoyed putting on the show and look forward to welcoming everybody back again next year. During her life, Margaret had many health problems, (never complained) culminating in having to go onto dialysis about 5 years ago, which curtailed her opportunity to play in competitions. She continued to play on her ‘’days off” until the last few years. Margaret had a fall, which led to her passing in September. A memorial service was held at The Geranium Nursery at Dural, attended by Margaret Beech, Faith Ross, Elain Nolan, Jean Gledhill all from Epping club, and myself. Margaret was privately cremated and ashes scattered at sea, hoping they would return to her homeland Wales. One of her friends Alf James suggested we have a game of croquet in her honour at Tempe, so 8 friends gathered, June and Eric Andrews travelled down from Bathurst, played a game of croquet, then had lunch, sandwiches , mini quiche, and croissants and of course, to finish a nice orange cake. Some quotes from her friends. A determined and brave woman------Alf James A lovely serene lady------Fay Langdon “ Take a bisque, boys,” never to be forgotten----- June and Eric Andrews A quiet coach, thank you Margaret------Pat Gilchrist. Margaret, a pleasure knowing you -----John Eddes She told me she went to every competition she could get to. She set this benchmark for me and it’s not easy trying The Finalists [ spectatoorsAlan, Ron, John and Greg Keen Spectators to live up to doing it. ------Glenda Chaplyn.

You are sadly missed my dear friend, and may you have a calm and peaceful journey home. Ron Hmpherson Tournament Manage Heather Smallbone

Page 16 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 13

STRATHFIELD CROQUET CLUB NEWS HAZELBROOK CROQUET CLUB TEACHES LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

For the fourth year in a row, we provided a School Croquet The Hazelbrook Croquet Club is nestled beautifully in the Mid Blue Mountains bushland. We have Association and Golf Program for students from Strathfield Girls High School croquet players. Our 33 members range in ability and age from 33 to 90! A few of them refuse to let their physical (SGHS) during Term 3. It was again an enormous success, and problems stop them from enjoying their croquet so some on walkers croquet seems to be a sport that the students are eager to and one, amazingly wheeling his oxygen around with him! sign up for. We had an enthusiastic teacher, Ms Fria Fan, who Recently our president and five members volunteered to introduce accompanied the girls each week, and also enjoyed croquet to a group of, Year 9 then Year 10, students from a local high participating. The program was more adventurous this year, school. They took to the game almost immediately. Once they and as we have a number of returnees, it was felt they understood the basics they came up with very impressive strategies and needed more challenge and diversity. Students learnt not abilities. They especially took great relish in smashing an opponent’s only how to transfer some skills learnt in GC, but also learnt ball out of the way! The Y10 group had three teams tie so a shootout about croquet as a team sport, and enjoyed learning was set up to determine the winner. additional skills and tactics specific to Gateball. Its inclusion worked so well this year that Gateball will remain in the Their teacher commented that it was the first time she had seen full program. participation in any sport. Some of the students expressed interest in making up a few teams and coming in their free time to learn more. We are delighted to announce that we have accepted our first Junior Members into our club. This is indeed an historic They were very enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed their time at our moment for our club in our 114 year history! It seemed that Junior Members have tended to come from Croquet club. The students were very well behaved, respectful towards us and our property. families, a logical place to start, yet I wondered how we could make it easier for Juniors, from non-croquet families, to YOU NEVER KNOW - join and stay at a croquet club. This heralds a big change for our club, and I am sure we are up to the challenge, as all COULD BE A FUTURE NATIONAL CHAMPION IN THE MAKING HERE! should benefit, including our sport. The SCC Committee, and most relevant folk in CNSW were informed about this pilot project. We wanted a process which would result in more than one Junior Player, joining at the same time. It was important that these juniors would have people their own age to play with as well. These concepts helped guide the HAZELBROOK FAMILY FUN DAY process we undertook. The Hazelbrook Community Association recently ran their annual Free Family Fun Day. This provides all sorts of free games for local families to try. There was also a baby animal farm, stalls, free tea or coffee with a cupcake, jumping The School Croquet Team were of great assistance. Rather than castle and face painting. All day entertaining music played from the local Scottish band, a jazz singer, a young rock bank, describe here what this process is (as it is on-going), suffice to say an old rock band, organ recital and soloist. There was an ambulance life saving demonstration, fire fighting that the process has kick-started our Junior Membership. Our demonstration with kids being allowed on the local fire engine and activating the siren! decision is timely, as Junior Players are thankfully an emerging trend There was even free popcorn! in our sport, in other Australian States, and also in New Zealand. Hopefully we can learn from one another. Jacky McDonald, CNSW Six of our croquet members set up a seven hoop course down on the oval amongst the other activities. We were kept Youth Croquet Coordinator, has for decades stressed the importance busy demonstrating, then following participants around offering tips and advice. Some were quite good and most of having these Junior Players in our sport. We were delighted that enjoyed it. There were lots of laughs especially when it was a family playing. It was amazing to see a couple of the smaller Jacky McDonald came and saw our program in action, during her children, hardly big enough to carry the mallet, actually hitting in a straight line and getting the ball through the hoop August visit. better than some of the older ones! Some people seeing their kids having so much fun just had to have a go themselves! We also spent time chasing up balls and keeping track of our mallets but all was good

Photo: John Creelman, Yvonne Webster, Ann Shaddick, with no problems. Many enquired about our club and where we play. This was also Jacky McDonald and Roz Crosier helped along by our secretary, Carol Bailey, walking around handing out our

information leaflets. It was a fabulous free fun day for our local families.

Plentiful rain arrived just after we had the annual lawn maintenance carried out. This meant there was sufficient lawn surface growth for our club to host

the Makara Bronze Singles Competition at our club. Our members were

active on other fronts. SCC won the Enid Brown AC Competition. Ann

Shaddick won the Club AC Bronze Singles Competition, and I had the pleasure

and benefit of her tactics, when playing with her in the Makara AC Doubles.

Petula Shun and I attended the Gateball Referee Workshop at Lithgow.

Arthur Graf and I partnered each other for the first time in the Makara GC

Handicap Doubles at Sutherland.

Ruth Bridger and Arthur Graf at Sutherland for the Makara GC Handicap Doubles

Ruth Bridger Jeannette Bramall (Secretary)

Page 14 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 15

STRATHFIELD CROQUET CLUB NEWS HAZELBROOK CROQUET CLUB TEACHES LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

For the fourth year in a row, we provided a School Croquet The Hazelbrook Croquet Club is nestled beautifully in the Mid Blue Mountains bushland. We have Association and Golf Program for students from Strathfield Girls High School croquet players. Our 33 members range in ability and age from 33 to 90! A few of them refuse to let their physical (SGHS) during Term 3. It was again an enormous success, and problems stop them from enjoying their croquet so some on walkers croquet seems to be a sport that the students are eager to and one, amazingly wheeling his oxygen around with him! sign up for. We had an enthusiastic teacher, Ms Fria Fan, who Recently our president and five members volunteered to introduce accompanied the girls each week, and also enjoyed croquet to a group of, Year 9 then Year 10, students from a local high participating. The program was more adventurous this year, school. They took to the game almost immediately. Once they and as we have a number of returnees, it was felt they understood the basics they came up with very impressive strategies and needed more challenge and diversity. Students learnt not abilities. They especially took great relish in smashing an opponent’s only how to transfer some skills learnt in GC, but also learnt ball out of the way! The Y10 group had three teams tie so a shootout about croquet as a team sport, and enjoyed learning was set up to determine the winner. additional skills and tactics specific to Gateball. Its inclusion worked so well this year that Gateball will remain in the Their teacher commented that it was the first time she had seen full program. participation in any sport. Some of the students expressed interest in making up a few teams and coming in their free time to learn more. We are delighted to announce that we have accepted our first Junior Members into our club. This is indeed an historic They were very enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed their time at our moment for our club in our 114 year history! It seemed that Junior Members have tended to come from Croquet club. The students were very well behaved, respectful towards us and our property. families, a logical place to start, yet I wondered how we could make it easier for Juniors, from non-croquet families, to YOU NEVER KNOW - join and stay at a croquet club. This heralds a big change for our club, and I am sure we are up to the challenge, as all COULD BE A FUTURE NATIONAL CHAMPION IN THE MAKING HERE! should benefit, including our sport. The SCC Committee, and most relevant folk in CNSW were informed about this pilot project. We wanted a process which would result in more than one Junior Player, joining at the same time. It was important that these juniors would have people their own age to play with as well. These concepts helped guide the HAZELBROOK FAMILY FUN DAY process we undertook. The Hazelbrook Community Association recently ran their annual Free Family Fun Day. This provides all sorts of free games for local families to try. There was also a baby animal farm, stalls, free tea or coffee with a cupcake, jumping The School Croquet Team were of great assistance. Rather than castle and face painting. All day entertaining music played from the local Scottish band, a jazz singer, a young rock bank, describe here what this process is (as it is on-going), suffice to say an old rock band, organ recital and soloist. There was an ambulance life saving demonstration, fire fighting that the process has kick-started our Junior Membership. Our demonstration with kids being allowed on the local fire engine and activating the siren! decision is timely, as Junior Players are thankfully an emerging trend There was even free popcorn! in our sport, in other Australian States, and also in New Zealand. Hopefully we can learn from one another. Jacky McDonald, CNSW Six of our croquet members set up a seven hoop course down on the oval amongst the other activities. We were kept Youth Croquet Coordinator, has for decades stressed the importance busy demonstrating, then following participants around offering tips and advice. Some were quite good and most of having these Junior Players in our sport. We were delighted that enjoyed it. There were lots of laughs especially when it was a family playing. It was amazing to see a couple of the smaller Jacky McDonald came and saw our program in action, during her children, hardly big enough to carry the mallet, actually hitting in a straight line and getting the ball through the hoop August visit. better than some of the older ones! Some people seeing their kids having so much fun just had to have a go themselves! We also spent time chasing up balls and keeping track of our mallets but all was good

Photo: John Creelman, Yvonne Webster, Ann Shaddick, with no problems. Many enquired about our club and where we play. This was also Jacky McDonald and Roz Crosier helped along by our secretary, Carol Bailey, walking around handing out our

information leaflets. It was a fabulous free fun day for our local families.

Plentiful rain arrived just after we had the annual lawn maintenance carried out. This meant there was sufficient lawn surface growth for our club to host the Makara Bronze Singles Competition at our club. Our members were active on other fronts. SCC won the Enid Brown AC Competition. Ann

Shaddick won the Club AC Bronze Singles Competition, and I had the pleasure and benefit of her tactics, when playing with her in the Makara AC Doubles.

Petula Shun and I attended the Gateball Referee Workshop at Lithgow.

Arthur Graf and I partnered each other for the first time in the Makara GC

Handicap Doubles at Sutherland.

Ruth Bridger and Arthur Graf at Sutherland for the Makara GC Handicap Doubles

Ruth Bridger Jeannette Bramall (Secretary)

Page 14 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 15

THE MOSMAN PRIZE FOR GOLF CROQUET 2018

On the weekend 3-5 November Mosman Croquet Club held its annual open event for GC players. Thirty-two entrants from all around the State battled for the prizes generously donated by Geoff Grist of Richardson and Wrench Real Estate, Mosman and Neutral Bay. First Prize was $300, second $200, third $150 and fourth $100. In addition there were prizes of $75 and $50 for the winner and runner-up in a consolation Plate. Everybody got plenty of croquet, with a total of ten games for each entrant.

The weather was very hot on the first day. This continued into the Saturday which made it an exhausting day, especially those who had to play five games. Fortunately the Sunday was much cooler.

Initially the players were divided into four blocks seeded by similar handicaps. The winners and runners-up in each block then went into a two-life elimination final. Everybody else still had a chance to win a prize in the Plate. In the Blue Block

Greg Deakin of Killara was on song, losing only one game to win the block. Ron Johnstone of Sutherland (last year’s Prize One Participant A Mallet used Flicking the ball up with 45 degree angle to next hoop Last hoop - an abandoned bath Finals runner up) came in second with four wins, just edging out Steve Thornton on net points. In the Black Block Steve handle was handy shot Miles of Cammeray was the clear winner with 6 wins. Ron Humpherson of Mosman was runner up. The Red and the Some of Alison’s photos Green Blocks both produced block winners from the Mosman home team: Vaughn Pairman and Richard Westgarth. Runners up were Alan Robinson of Manly and John Reynolds of EDSACC.

With three finalists, the Mosman crowd was hoping to see a local boy win the Prize for the first time in five years. However it was not to be. In the elimination event Greg Deakin continued his good form to make the 1st/2nd Final against Vale rd th Ron Johnstone. Alan Robinson and John Reynolds played off for the 3 /4 Final. These four provided the entertainment MARGARET BURKE while everybody else settled down with a glass of wine and their gourmet lunch to watch. The match between Greg (handicap 5) and Ron (handicap 0) was a great battle. They came to the 12th with Ron one up, but Greg with two extra Margaret started her croquet career, at the Epping Croquet in the mid 80’s. She very quickly became a very turns in hand. Sadly for Greg his solid roqueting deserted him at this point and Ron made the hoop to take out his first competent player. Loving the game so much, often played 3 times a week. Margaret had a wonderful sense of Mosman Prize. It was an equally absorbing contest for 3rd and 4th place, which went to the 13th Hoop with Alan beating humour, and many times over lunches or afternoon teas, which she loved, would have everyone laughing, but John. when it came to game time, she was a very serious competitor. From the 1995 Croquet Newsletter. Bronze Singles: “Congratulations to the winner Dennis Faggotter,( scored the The Plate was decided on the number of wins over the ten games of those who did not make the finals. The winner was maximum 18 pts) The surprised runner up was Margaret Burke from Epping, who was playing in her first C.P.A. Val Lloyd of Coogee. Steve Thornton (Maitland Club) was second, reminding us all that to get there he had had to deal competition.” with over 50 extra turns for his opponents. Margaret played in as many competitions as possible, rising in handicap to play in the Gold singles and Doubles Thanks to our visiting referees, Michael Strickland and Stephen Howes who had to endure some torrid weather out on partnered by myself. the lawns. In her early days, still Bronze players, Margaret suggested we play in the Women’s Open Doubles. We entered and Thank you also to all at Mosman who contributed to the success of our tournament. These events are not possible soon found ourselves mainly watching. Eventually Margaret said to me “what are we doing here?“ We laughed it without the support of the volunteers who give up their weekend: being there at the crack of dawn to set up, preparing off, but it showed her spirit and love of the game. Along with other croquet friends, we also visited many country and serving all that food and of course cleaning up everything afterwards. Carnivals. Besides good games and friendship, she dearly loved her slice of cake. I think her favourite tournament was The Fransted, played over Easter, many years ago. She enjoyed the opportunity to test her skills against all Thank you to all the competitors for the way in which they entered into the spirit of the three days. With such a tight levels of play. program it was essential to keep things moving. But there was time for a bit of socialising, which is an essential part of visiting Mosman. We enjoyed putting on the show and look forward to welcoming everybody back again next year. During her life, Margaret had many health problems, (never complained) culminating in having to go onto dialysis about 5 years ago, which curtailed her opportunity to play in competitions. She continued to play on her ‘’days off” until the last few years. Margaret had a fall, which led to her passing in September. A memorial service was held at The Geranium Nursery at Dural, attended by Margaret Beech, Faith Ross, Elain Nolan, Jean Gledhill all from Epping club, and myself. Margaret was privately cremated and ashes scattered at sea, hoping they would return to her homeland Wales. One of her friends Alf James suggested we have a game of croquet in her honour at Tempe, so 8 friends gathered, June and Eric Andrews travelled down from Bathurst, played a game of croquet, then had lunch, sandwiches , mini quiche, and croissants and of course, to finish a nice orange cake. Some quotes from her friends. A determined and brave woman------Alf James A lovely serene lady------Fay Langdon “ Take a bisque, boys,” never to be forgotten----- June and Eric Andrews A quiet coach, thank you Margaret------Pat Gilchrist. Margaret, a pleasure knowing you -----John Eddes She told me she went to every competition she could get to. She set this benchmark for me and it’s not easy trying The Finalists [ spectatoorsAlan, Ron, John and Greg Keen Spectators to live up to doing it. ------Glenda Chaplyn.

You are sadly missed my dear friend, and may you have a calm and peaceful journey home. Ron Hmpherson Tournament Manage Heather Smallbone

Page 16 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 13

THE BRUTUS PLATE - EXTREME CROQUET LISMORE’S SPRING Rylstone, NSW (October 2018) TOURNAMENT

Wow, what a great day and completely unique. I have just experienced a Bush Croquet (“extreme croquet”) tournament this weekend that was a world away from the croquet we all know well in our clubs around NSW.

This annual event, the Brutus Plate, was held on a gorgeous property just outside Rylstone owned by the lovely Mike and Sue Pridmore , the hosts for this year due to Mike being the winner of the Brutus Plate last year. It was a little remote, A PRONOUNCED with the final leg being a 15 km drive on a dirt road to get there, but completely worth the trip. This was Croquet at its SUCCESS quirkiest and at its very best.

The Brutus Plate has been going for the last 28 years, and it all started with a group of friends who went to College together and decided to have a croquet competition. It is always held on a Sunday in October or November, and comprises a full day of Croquet, with a BBQ lunch and the (more than) occasional drink. This year some 30 bush croquet aficionados took part, as couples or as families.

There used to be one stipulation which was to down a pint before each game but now they are all in their 50’s and 60’s that rule has lapsed somewhat. Otherwise the rules of the event are minimal. Even cheating is allowed in some circumstances. Like bees attracted to blossoming Sweet Daphne, twenty-four players of enthusiasm converged on leisurely lovely late- spring Lismore bringing with them their mallets, friendly goodwill and a steely determination to win. And, like fully The course designer was Sam Hamilton who has an insatiable appetite for making the participants suffer by laying out laden bees, they left weary and happy after a joyfully busy time. some almost impossible hoops, but of course this was to the delight of spectators who were guaranteed the ultimate entertainment. Lismore Club’s Golf Tournament was played over four days during early November in unseasonal heat, occasionally experiencing a refreshing afternoon nor-easters from the Byron coast. The players came from many clubs - Young, The format consisted of heats (we refer to them as blocks) and the top 2 players of those heats went through to the semi Wollongong, Mt Sugarloaf, Toronto, Forster, Port Macquarie, Casino, Ballina and Ballina Cherry Street. Players -finals. There were 6 players in each semi-final, and the top 3 in each semi-final went into the Final which meant 6 competed in a remarkable 115 games on only two lawns. A triumph of planning, organisation and execution by Lismore players fighting it out in the final. Each player plays in order (the same as GC) until there is an eventual winner who gets Club and a proof of the stamina of visiting croquet players. through the last hoop in less shots than the others. The standard of play was quite competitive, with the challenging ambiance of the tournament bringing out unsuspected I came first in my heat which had a fairly simple course, and made it through to the semi-final along with 5 other players. talents - many players performed well above the levels of their handicaps. Spectators and opponents were treated to a The semi- final course was much more difficult than the initial heat. Hoop 2 was placed on a tree stump, hoop 3 was by a catalogue of croquet styles in strokes, strategies and tactics, all of which had their moments of success. wombat hole and the last hoop was on an ants nest. The more experienced players, who had developed the perfect knack of flicking the ball into the air using the end of the mallet shaft, raced through hoop 2 (the tree stump). Sad to The Croquet Gremlin was well in evidence, turning certain hoops into disasters fairly even-handedly and (very) say, I didn’t have that level of technical expertise! The hoop on the ants nest required speed and nimble footwork, as occasionally giving a bonus lucky stroke to a deserving player. It’s probably fair to say that both the bad luck and the each player had to run up, hit the ball quickly towards the hoop, and then flee at the rate of knots – it was hilarious – this good fortune were fairly evenly, but not equally, distributed. After four days of uncompromising competition the results were: was the most entertaining hoop for the spectators. The local guys left me for dead.

Perhaps not surprisingly, I didn’t make it to the final. The course for the final had some near impossible hoops - hoop 2 Doubles: Doubles victors: was placed on a 45 degrees slope in heavy bush up the side of a hill, while the last hoop was carefully placed in a bath Winners: Fred Moss and Neville King (Lismore/Ballina) Runners up: Brenda Wild and Bernadette Ryan (Mt Sugarloaf/ Brenda Wild & full of green, stagnant water. (I should point out that this was an abandoned bath tub found on the property, and not a Bernadette Ryan Lismore) reflection on the hosts’ personal hygiene habits.) (runners-up), Neville King and A lot of the shots involve flicking the ball up (always using the end of the handle) in the air to get it through the hoop Singles Fred Moss (winners) because some of the hoops were many feet from the ground. In past years hoops have been placed on logs in dams, Block A Winner: Graham Innocent (Young) through electric fences, on tractors, in forks of trees, and suspended in mid-air. My favourite was having to get a ball Runner-up: Ray Chapman (Ballina Cherry Street) through a hoop which was inside the broken windscreen of a rolled ute. The rougher the terrain the more exciting the Block B Winner Fred Moss (Lismore) course is. Runner-up: Mary Grieg (Forster) Block C Winner Keith Dalton (Port Macquarie) The winner of this year’s Brutus Plate was Craig Currie from Rylstone, making this his third victory in this event. He really Runner-up: Glenda Yardy (Mt Sugarloaf) did have the knack of scooping the ball in the air very effectively and he was also very accurate. Many of the others were too, and it wouldn’t take much to get them into the NSW State Team! While these players justly earned their victories, no winners came off the field without knowing they had been in a fight. Everybody was so welcoming, friendly and very relaxed. These guys have all known each other for decades, and there is Every hoop had to be hard-won, and games were won against a 3-6 lead. Lazurus’ recovery would not have been no doubt that the Brutus Plate will be going on for many more years to come. newsworthy at Lismore Spring Tournament compared to the recovery of some players.

I feel honoured to have been asked by Craig Currie to attend this magnificent event next year as well. Noticeable among the players, Mary Ayshford (Casino) played a resolutely determined game that kept her opponents under constant pressure. Bernie McAlary (Wollongong) used Thor’s hammer to send thunderbolts streaking across the Just as there are now three forms of cricket, perhaps we should consider officially adding a third form of our great game. lawn. Edna Kelly (Young) played an intelligent game that was admired by opponents as well as spectators and Bill I am sure the Brutus Cup gang would love to host next year’s Bush Croquet World Championships! Munns (Toronto) matched the crafty cunning of experience with meticulous stroke play; there is no truth in the rumour

that Bill’s croquet training regime includes wrestling with lions, but it is believable.

Alison Sharpe …..Contd p.18

Page 12 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 17

Singles Block C winner Keith Dalton took up croquet only in January 2017. Old rugby chaps will remember Keith as a GATEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018 distinguished wing in the 1950s, and he is again excelling in a very different game. Or is it? The two great games have the same traditional values of hard play on the field and gentle camaraderie off the field. The 2018 championships were played at Canberra Croquet Club, Friday 16—Sunday 18 November. The success of the tournament was in large part due to the plethora of goodwill amongst the guests. When needed they We had people representing all inland states in readily substituted on the lawns and as Referees and Scorers, while in the kitchen tea towels were used to good effect by Australia for the first time. The tournament was visiting hands. played in beautiful weather and all courts at In his closing address Lismore Club President Barry Waters said the presence of so many happy people was testimony to Canberra were needed to accommodate the 10 the success of the tournament and a heart-warming reward for the efforts of his members. He paid particular tribute to teams events played on Saturday and Sunday. the catering and housekeeping team who finished each day with a polite surplus of goodwill, and kept the house in a Additionally, 17 teams contested the Doubles condition of social acceptability. Lawns manager Bruce Ross, he said, had done a wonderful job – despite four days of event which was played on Friday. double-banked play the lawns were, like their manager, running straight and true at a nice even pace.

Tournament Manager, Fay Ross, was high in her praise for the standards of play and the good sportsmanship that was abundantly evident throughout the four days. She also thanked the whole team who had worked together for months to Luckily for NSW we were able to return both trophies to their home bring this tournament into being. Every Lismore Club member had contributed in some way to the tournament. state after residing in Victoria for the last year. Teams event was won by Epstars, captained by Greg Deakin from Killara . When they departed Lismore Club’s Golf Tournament visitors left behind them a mighty lot of goodwill and an equal lot of thanks for some demanding croquet. Most of them said they will be back in 2019 and we will be disappointed if any Winners: Ruth Bridger, Sandra Townley, Ken Poole, Richard Thomas, NSW Gateball Co- one of them is unable to join us. ordinator Mary Dunn, Captain Greg Deakin, Jenny Brentnall and Leial Merson.

The Doubles was won by Winner Block A Graham Innocent with President Barry husband and wife team Waters Penny and John Park from Winner Block C Keith Dalton with President Lithgow, pictured with

Barry and Club Captain runners-up Moonki Kim and

Fay Ross his wife Yongsoon Yeh, from Korea.

They were visiting their daughter who lives in Canberra. Referees are in the

middle

Neville King &

Fred Moss (Fred won

Block B as well Glenda Yardy

as the Doubles with President Barry

with Neville) Some action shots:

JimYeo Photos courtesy Phyllis Waters

BYRON BAY CELEBRATES Article and Photos courtesy Mary Dunn and Peter Freer In 1928, a group of feisty Byron Bay ladies got together to start the first croquet club in the district. This was in response to the "men only" bowling club which was founded several years earlier. The ladies could be seen kneeling in frocks, weeding the lawns, and their hard work was rewarded with a club house approved by the council, and a membership of 41. Eventually men were able to join once the ladies could join the Byron Bay has celebrated 90 years! bowling club. During the 50's and 60's the aftermath of war and economic downturn led to the demise of several clubs in Read the story on p. 18 the area, but the BBCC managed to stay alive and strong. There have been many successes for pennants and championships over the years, building a proud tradition in the club. For our 80th birthday the Byron Shire Council built us a brand new clubhouse as a sign of support for our citizens. For our 90th birthday and Friendship day we invited all district clubs, plus citizens of Byron Bay, to enjoy afternoon tea, a birthday cake and of course croquet games. Thank you to all the people who attended (about 90) and those who helped make it such a special day. Lee Rogers (Vice-President)

Page 18 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 11

Many Thanks to those that assisted on the day as well as 2018 AT SAWTELL playing and thanks to Pam Markwell and Alan Brown for a well run event. MAKARA 2018 This last weekend was the Golf Doubles played at The year started on New Year’s Day with the Sawtell Carnival – the club has a fun day where members come along for some croquet and a shared lunch. Sutherland. There were 19 entries for a draw of 16 places. However the first big event for the year was April 6th— a double celebration – the Well, it's been a busy few weeks of croquet, with a mixed Within 2 days we were down to only 15 entries. Opening of our new Court 3 and the club’s 70th Birthday Celebration. bag of weather. But thankfully a few people stepped up at the last minute to fill the gaps and the event was able to go ahead. Rosemary Stillman cutting Marrickville held the Association 14 Under last weekend After many years of planning and with help and support from both State Government and the 70th Birthday Cake with only 4 players this year. I heard the club room was Coffs Harbour City Council and club members our much needed third court is up and flooded overnight. Not what you need in the middle of a running. The day started with a Welcome to Country, club president Bruce Glover comp. After a quick clean up play got under way with welcomed all and officially named the court the “Burrows Chapman” court in recognition of the many hours of work Charles Britton - Winning and Roberta Flint - Runner Up. contributed by Derek and Brenda Burrows, and the injection of funds by Rob and Margaret Chapman. Coffs City Mayor Well done to all players . Denise Knight and Andrew Fraser, local Member for Coffs Harbour, cut the ribbon to open the court. Then the dignitaries tried their hand at croquet. This event was followed by a birthday luncheon in the community hall nearby. A Also that same weekend Strathfield hosted the buffet luncheon was enjoyed by all, the birthday cake was cut by Rosemary Stillman who has been a playing member of Association Bronze Singles with extremely hot weather Sawtell for 30 years. for the players on the Saturday. There were 9 players. Play got under way on the Saturday with hot weather and on the Sunday it was extremely windy and quite cool. April 27 saw day one of our Inaugural “3 days of Ricochet” Carnival. Visitors came from Port Macquarie, Ballina, Forster, The Winner of Block A was Nerida Phelps (Marrickville) Toronto and EDSAAC with locals making up the field of 16 players. Two blocks of 8 played 7 games, each 1 hour 30- with 3 wins and Runner up Ruth Duigan (2 wins). Block A was very close with Tony McArthur and David minutes, 14-point games. Chris Williamson from Toronto and Richard Hughes from Ballina were the winners. Now we Woods with 5 wins as well as Lynda Toms and Lorraine are planning our second Ricochet Carnival for April 5, 6 and 7 next year. Block B was won by Lorraine Hatfield.

Hatfield (Sutherland) (3 wins with But Lynda and Lorraine were Winners with 10 net points , th August and time for our 11 Annual four days of GC at Sawtell. Three separate competitions were played. Each day + 11) and Runner Up Werner Kos 1 point ahead of David and Tony, who were Runners-up started with 2 rounds of doubles – a high/low event designed as a get to know you competition. 38 players played 2 from Cammeray (pictured with Fay with 9 net points. days of level followed by 2 days of handicap games. The winners circle included Graham Innocent (Young), Kevin Parkes, Langdon from Epping), also on 3 Block B was won by Anne and Peter Cullen with 7 wins (Toronto) Geoff Chapman, (Urunga) Pamela Barnwell, (NNP) Lynley Mitchell, (Urunga), Jim Ball, (Nelson Bay) Derek Bull, wins with +5. and Runners up were Terrie Welsh and Margaret Morters (NNP) Derek Burrows, (Sawtell) Roy Corse, (Smithtown), Jan Sullivan, (Forster) Brenda Burrows, (Sawtell) and Catherine with 6 wins. Waters (Urunga).

Also a very close contest.

The Labour Day long weekend always sees a charity day at Sawtell. Our Charity is the Westpac Helicopter Rescue

Service - this year we raised $812 dollars. This makes a total of some $6,000 dollars over the last 13 years. A good effort Lorraine and for a one day event. Nerida played off in the Finals with The Finals play off was won Lorraine as Winner and Nerida as th by Anne and Peter with October – the 11 Annual Four Days of AC at Sawtell. The forecast for the four days was showers and possibility of Runner up. (pictured here) Lynda and Lorraine Runners thunderstorms. Fortunately, the forecast was wrong. Players enjoyed four picture perfect days for playing Croquet.

Day 1 was a doubles day – 2 blocks payed four x 1 hour alternate strokes, 14 point games. Winners were David Surridge Congratulations to all players. Up. and Geoff Chapman, and Derek Burrows and Simon Cook. The last three games of the singles event were all played to

determine the block. In Block A John Piggott was a clear winner, winning all his games. Peter Richardson and Robert Many thanks to Anne Shaddick for a Many Thanks to John Eddes Kemp were playing for the runner-up prize. Peter had pegged out one ball; Robert got in with a chance to get to the well run event in Yvonne Webster's absence. for running the event over the peg, but missed a crucial roquet. Peter was the runner-up. On court 3 Bill Munns and Bill Strick were playing to win the 2 days. Port Hacking hosted the Golf Singles on Monday and block – Bill Strick was the winner, and on court 1 Penny Jude and Geoff Chapman were also playing to win the block – Tuesday. The weather was fine though a little warm for All results can be seen on croquetscores.com Geoff was successful. The winners for other two blocks were Glenda Chaplyn and Simon Cook. Another great finish to a the players on the Tuesday. successful four days of AC. Many thanks to all those that helped over the last couple Block A was won by Lynda Toms (5 wins) and Runner Up Lorraine Hatfield (3 wins) of weeks whether it be 'reffing', scoring, setting up courts Add to that our own club competitions, GC and chairs, supplying cakes or just washing up. All your Block B was won by Jill Sullivan (5 wins) Pennants plus social groups including regular visits and Runner Up Anne Cullen (3 wins) help is greatly appreciated. These events would not run from the R and R Disability group, life is fairly busy smoothly without it. at Sawtell Croquet Club. Lynda and Jill played off in the Finals Thank you to all that played in the MAKARA again this year. with Lynda as Winner I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and will be back again and Jill Runner Up. next year. To those that did not make it I wish you better

health next year. Jenny Arnold Anne Cullen presenting the Wal Fernance Golf Singles Trophy to Lynda Toms Happy Croqueting!

Anne Cullen Port Hacking

Page 10 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 19

EXCITINGEXCITING TIMES AT TIMES NELSON AT NE BAYLSON BAY strategies strategiesto improve to our improve game. our Trevor’s game. enthusiasm Trevor’s enthusiasm for for TEMPE OPENTEMPE 2018 OPEN 2018 NSW AC OPENNSW SINGLESAC OPEN 2018 SINGLES 2018 the game theis rubbing game is off rubbing on many off onmembers, many members, and he had and he had A lot of goodA lot things of good have things been have happening been happening at Nelson atBay Nelson noBay trouble no finding trouble players finding to players fill a Division to fill a2 Divisionand Division 2 and Division This eventThis was event played was over played the weekendover the weekendof The of AC OpenThe ACSingles Open was Singles played was at playedTempe at over Tempe three over three Croquet ClubCroquet this Clubyear, thisand year,it looks and like it looksthey’re like set they’re to set3 toteam in3 thisteam year’s in this State year’s Pennants State Pennantscompetition competition – the – the 27-28 October,27-28 October,with 6 players with 6taking players part. taking part.days fromdays Saturday from 3Saturday November. 3 November. Originally Originallyscheduled scheduled for for continue continuein 2019. in The 2019. most The exciting most newsexciting is thatnews it is thatfirst it time firstour timeClub ourhas Clubever hasentered. ever entered.The Division The 2Division 2 For the secondFor the year,second it wasyear, played it was using played usingfour days,four as entriesdays, as closed entries there closed were there only were 6 entrants, only 6 entrants, appears ourappears much -ourneeded much additional-needed additional courts will courts become will becometeam’s resultsteam’s were results split were evenly split between evenly winsbetween and losseswins and losses Super AdvancedSuper Advanced (SA) rules, (SA) these rules, rules these being rules devised being in devised and in with andthe fourthwith the day fourth coinciding day coinciding with the Melbournewith the Melbourne a reality anext reality year. next Earlier year. this Earlier year, this Port year, Stephens Port Stephensin the preliminaryin the preliminary round, while round, the whileDivision the 2 Division team did 2 team did order to orderincrease to theincrease amount the ofamount interaction of interaction during a duringCup a it wasCup reduced it was toreduced three todays. three In days.the event In the late event late Council appliedCouncil toapplied the NSWto the Government’s NSW Government’s Stronger Strongerexceptionally exceptionally well going well through going the through preliminary the preliminary matches matches game. Onegame. feature One of feature SA is that of SAthe is first that turn the offirst the turn game of the gameentries broughtentries the brought field up the to field 8. Theup toformat 8. The was format always was always Country CommunitiesCountry Communities Fund for aFund grant for on a ourgrant behalf. on our At behalf. undefeated. At undefeated. They lost Theya very lost tight a verymatch tight in matchtheir semi in their- semi- must eithermust leave either the leavecourt, the hit court,a hoop hit or athe hoop peg, or or the run peg, orto run be a roundto be robin a round followed robin byfollowed best-of by-3 knockout.best-of-3 knockout. the end theof September,end of September, the news the came news through came thatthrough finalthat in Sydneyfinal into Sydney the eventual to the winners.eventual Trevorwinners. is lookingTrevor is looking hoop 1. hoop Most 1. players Most optedplayers for opted either for a eitherstandard a standard $200,000 $200,000had been hadallocated been allocatedfor our new for courts.our new Thecourts. toThe increase to the increase number the of number teams nextof teams year, next so watch year, outso watch out opening toopening the East to boundary, the East boundary, or a corner or 2 a opening. corner 2 opening. With a round With robin a round occupying robin occupying most of the most first of 2 thedays, first an 2 days, an Club first Clubstarted first discussing started discussing the need thefor needextra forcourts extra courtsfor Nelson for Bay! Nelson Bay! innovativeinnovative format for format the semi for- finalsthe semi was-finals adopted. was adopted. The The back in 2013back with in 2013 the development with the development of a detailed of a strategy detailed strategy The other Theinnovation other innovation with SA is withthe introduction SA is the introduction of a third of a third Many of ourMany more of ourcompetitive more competitive members membersregularly travelregularly travel top 4 playerstop 4 afterplayers the afterround the robin round went robin into went the into the for expandingfor expanding club facilities. club facilities.It has been It hasa tortuous been a pathtortuous path lift hoop atlift hoop hoop 4. at Thishoop is 4.intended This is tointended put a stop to put to thea stop to the away to competeaway to incompete regional in events, regional and events, the rise and in the skill rise in skill knockout knockout(1 vs 4, 2(1 vs vs 3) 4, but2 vsone 3) ofbut the one two of playersthe two players since then,since with then, many with side many-tracks side and-tracks a couple and of a coupleu-turns, of u-turns, common practicecommon of practice making of 9 makinghoops with 9 hoops your withfirst yourball, first ball, levels is obviouslevels is to obvious all. This to yearall. Thiswe hadyear our we first had Stateour first State carried forwardcarried oneforward win: oneif one win: player if one had player more had wins more wins but we thinkbut we’ve we think finally we’ve got finally to the got end to of the the end tunnel. of the tunnel. then triplethen-peeling triple with-peeling your with second your ballsecond to winball theto win the ChampionsChampions – Cheryl Lloyd – Cheryl and LloydSandy and Tawa Sandy won Tawa the NSW won the NSW than the otherthan thein the other round in the robin, round that robin, player that started player one started one game, givinggame, your giving opponent your opponentonly three only shots. three In additionshots. In addition Nelson BayNelson is a big Bay retirement is a big retirement area, and area,we have and doublewe have doubleGolf CroquetGolf Handicap Croquet HandicapDoubles Championships Doubles Championships in a tight in a tight game up, gamebut if up, both but players if both had players equal had wins, equal then wins, the then the to the normalto the lift normal and contact lift and lift, contact your opponent lift, your opponenthas a lift has a lift the proportionthe proportion of over-55s of comparedover-55s compared to the rest to ofthe the rest of competition,the competition, with a countback with a countback required to required separate to themseparate them winner ofwinner the head of -theto-head head in-to the-head round in the robin round had robin the had the to positionto ifposition you make if you three make lift threehoops lift ahead hoops of aheadyour of your country. country.Port Stephens Port StephensCouncil recognises Council recognises the unique the uniquefrom Bill andfrom Marie Bill and Munns. Marie Two Munns. very Twoexcited very ladies excited and ladies and one gameone lead. game This lead. had theThis advantagehad the advantage that all games that all games partner ballpartner in a ballsingle in turn.a single Watching turn. Watchingthe various the various character characterof the area of andthe thearea need and theto provide need to for provide active for activeone very proudone very club! proud With club! an enthusiastic With an enthusiastic and seemingly and seemingly options takenoptions by takenplayers by was players interesting. was interesting. Many took Many tookwere meaningfulwere meaningful even after even a player after had a player clearly had qualified clearly qualified retirees. retirees.That is whyThat they is why have they been have such been a strong such a strongtireless Margarettireless -MargaretRose Thompson-Rose Thompson at the helm, at theRicochet helm, is Ricochet is their first theirball to first 1-back, ball to conceding 1-back, conceding a lift, one aor lift, two one went or two went– you had– to you keep had winning to keep to winning secure tothe secure one game the one carry game carry supportersupporter of our quest of ourfor questadditional for additional lawns – in lawns fact one– in fact alsoone flourishingalso flourishing at Nelson at Bay. Nelson The Bay. number The ofnumber players of players beyond 1-beyondback, conceding 1-back, conceding contact. contact.Nobody conceded Nobody concededa forward a –forward important – important with the qualifyingwith the qualifyingoccupying occupying more more of the localof Councillorsthe local Councillors specified inspecified his manifesto in his manifesto for the forwho the regularlywho playregularly this formplay thisof croquet form of has croquet increased has increasedto to lift to position.lift to position. than half thethan available half the sessionsavailable. sessions. last electionslast electionsthat he wouldthat he be would pushing be forpushing additional for additional over 30, andover as 30, a resultand as we’ve a result had we’ve to introduce had to introducea second a second croquet facilities.croquet facilities.That has got That to has be agot first!! to be a first!! Ricochet sessionRicochet each session week. each week. One playerOne habituallyplayer habitually stopped stoppedat hoop at5, hoophaving 5, having The weatherThe wasweather bakingly was hotbakingly and humid,hot and especially humid, especiallyon on The NelsonThe Bay Nelson Croquet Bay Club Croquet was establishedClub was established in 1996 in 1996 Like manyLike clubs, many we’re clubs, struggling we’re strugglingto keep Associationto keep Association conceded concededa lift. This a put lift. him This in put a good him inposition a good to position go to 4 to go to 4 the Saturday.the Saturday. The lawns The were lawns in excellent were in shapeexcellent but shape the but the with 17 players,with 17 but players, now boasts but now over boasts 100 members,over 100 members, with withviable. Butviable. we don’t But weplan don’t to throw plan toin throwthe towel in the – wetowel – we -back with-back either with ball either on his ball next on turn,his next after turn, which after he which he hoops werehoops very were tight very (and tight they (and were they rejecting were rejectingrather rather another 8 anotherin the wings 8 in thewaiting wings to waiting learn the to game.learn the Even game. Evenhave developedhave developed a strategy a centredstrategy around centred our around Ricochet our Ricochet could triplecould-peel triple to win-peel the to game.win the The game. argument The argumentfor for than jawsing).than jawsing).There was There a premium was a onpremium getting on close getting and close and though we’rethough not we’reactively not seeking actively new seeking members, new members, they theyplayers thatplayers we hopethat wewill hopeattract will more attract players more to players this to this going to hoopgoing 5 to rather hoop than5 rather 1-back than is that1-back it isis easierthat it tois easier to straight instraight front. Onein front. early Oneoddity: early in oddity:the first in round the first with round with still keep coming!still keep It’s coming! been a It’s struggle been ato struggle cater for to this cater for this form of theform game. of the It maygame. not It work,may notbut work,we’ll givebut we’llit our give it our triple-peeltriple starting-peel from starting 5 and from 4-back 5 and than 4-back it is thanfrom it1 -is from 1- 4 players 4double players banked double on banked lawn 2, on after lawn about 2, after an abouthour an hour number ofnumber members, of members, but we have but managed we have managedby doubling by doublingbest shot –best we’re shot up – forwe’re the up challenge for the challenge back and back4-back. and Given 4-back. that Given the exponentthat the exponentof this tactic of this tactic all 8 clips allwere 8 clips on hoop were 3on – eachhoop player3 – each was player for 3 wasand for4- 3 and 4- the numberthe of number playing ofsessions, playing andsessions, splitting and the splitting courts the in courts in went on towent win onthe to event, win the it obviously event, it obviouslymakes sense! makes sense! Port StephensPort Stephensoffers excellent offers excellentfacilities andfacilities a great and a great back! Theback! clips Theon 3clips were on symptomatic3 were symptomatic of the tight of the tight half for thehalf most for popularthe most sessions. popular sessions.No-one likes No -playingone likes playing climate forclimate year roundfor year sport round - blessed sport -with blessed 26 beaches, with 26 beaches, hoops. Allhoops. games Allwere games played were in playedgood spirit in good and spiritmany and of many of on half courts,on half but courts, needs but must. needs We must. do have We three do have three Callum HylandCallum and Hyland Nick Chapmanand Nick Chapmaneach had eachonly onehad lossonly one loss the largestthe sand largest dunes sand in thedunes southern in the hemisphere,southern hemisphere, and and the gamesthe were games very were tight, very including tight, aincluding number aof number 2-on-1 of 2-on-1 sessions ofsessions specified of fullspecified-court fullplay,-court for which play, forwe’ve which had we’ve had in the roundin the robin, round with robin, Callum with losing Callum 26 -losing25 to 26Rob-25 to Rob the Greatthe Lakes Great Marine Lakes ParkMarine and Park a Nationaland a NationalPark Park games aftergames a peg after out. a peg out. to introduceto introducea booking asystem. booking It system. doesn’t Ittake doesn’t much take much Elliott, andElliott, Nick andlosing Nick 26TP losing-13 to26TP Callum.-13 to BothCallum. these Both these encompassingencompassing 42,000 hectares. 42,000 hectares.With a wideWith range a wide of range of imaginationimagination to guess how to guess much how we’re much looking we’re forward looking to forward to players completedplayers completed three triple three-peels triple during-peels the during round the round accommodation,accommodation, Port Stephens Port Stephensis a great isplace a great to visit.place to visit. After 6 ofAfter the 67 ofrounds the 7Peter rounds Landrebe Peter Landrebewas the onlywas the only the extra courts.the extra courts. robin. Theyrobin. then They played then a bestplayed-of- 3a final,best- ofwith-3 final, the round with the round We even Weboast even a recently boast a openedrecently Rick opened Stein Rick restaurant Stein restaurant player sureplayer to qualify, sure to and qualify, there and were there 3 players were 3sure players to sure to robin gamerobin between game thembetween as the them first as game the first in the game best in-of the best-of The excitingThe news exciting on the news new on courts the new is not courts the isonly not good the only goodand Bannistersand Bannisters resort. Come resort. to ComeNelson to Bay, Nelson enjoy Bay, the enjoy the qualify forqualify the plate for the(!), soplate there (!), wereso there 3 places were available 3 places available -3. Callum-3. played Callum immaculate played immaculate croquet to croquet win the to second win the second thing happeningthing happening at the Club. at the We Club. now Wehave now a veryhave a veryscenery, scenery,and play andcroquet play –croquet we’re –always we’re keenalways to keen to for 4 players.for 4 Withplayers. about With 15 aboutminutes 15 onminutes the clock on theand clock and game 26TPgame-0, to 26TP win -the0, to event. win the event. enthusiasticenthusiastic group of groupGolf Croquet of Golf coachesCroquet undercoaches the under welcomethe visitorswelcome from visitors other from clubs. other clubs. one gameone to complete game to completeonly one hooponly oneseparated hoop separated the two the two leadershipleadership of Trevor Black,of Trevor and Black, a very and popular a very program popular of program of Linda ButlerLinda (President) Butler (President) & & David StantonDavid StantonAlans for theAlans last for spot. the last Alan spot. Walsh Alan was Walsh the unlucky was the one unlucky one monthly monthlycoaching coachingsessions sessionshas been has introduced been introduced to to David WilsonDavid (Secretary) Wilson (Secretary) TournamentTournament Manager Managerto miss outto with miss 4 out wins with out 4 ofwins 7, and out theof 7, semi and finalsthe semi were finals were provide usprovide with additional us with additional tips on playing tips on techniques playing techniques and and Peter LandrebePeter Landrebeone game one up gameagainst up Alan against Honey Alan (even Honey (even though Alanthough was theAlan only was one the toonly beat one Peter to beat in the Peter round in the round The new courtsThe will new go courts immediately will go immediately to the right ofto our the existingright of courtsour existing – courts – robin), androbin), Rob Elliottand Rob one Elliott game one up gameagainst up Alix against Verge. Alix Verge. the road willthe move! road will move! Peter beatPeter Alan beatto progress Alan to to progress the final, to Butthe Alixfinal, beat But RobAlix beat Rob to tie the tomatch, tie the then match, Rob thengot up Rob by got 1 hoop up by in 1 the hoop last in the last game. Petergame. then Peter played then outstandingly played outstandingly to win the to final win in the final in two quick twogames. quick In games. the plate In Stephenthe plate Richards Stephen and Richards Alan and Alan Walsh beatWalsh Mike beat Hughes Mike and Hughes Nerida and Taylor Nerida respectively, Taylor respectively, then Stephenthen beat Stephen Alan beatin the Alan final. in the final.

Playing on halfPlaying courts on – half courts – Mike HughesMike Hughes the only waythe to cateronly way for 100 to cater members for 100 with members 2 lawns with 2 lawns TournamentTournament Manager Manager

Page 20 Page 20 CNSW NewsletterCNSW Newsletter December December 2018 2018 CNSW NewsletterCNSW Newsletter December December 2018 2018 Page 9 Page 9

NOWRA SPRING G.C. CARNIVAL UK to make up the three 'Australian CROQUET Sixteen players from Wollongong, Jamberoo, EDSAC Block B’s Di & Brian with Team' couples, so Margaret Sawers (Bateau Bay), Toronto, Young and Nowra competed in the Nailsea Club the Nowra Golf Croquet Singles handicap and level play ASHES arranged two Expat tournament held at the Nowra club on Friday 19th to couples living in the Monday 22nd October 2018. The games were played in UK to make up the two blocks double round robin format with the first Barbara Murray received a three 'Australian round played as handicap play and the second-round special prize Team' couples (Truth is that one of our team members was a Scotsman who level play. After visiting their UK agent each year, Peter and has a daughter living in Sydney). A true Australian Team? Margaret Sawers Elaine Coles drive down to visit their friends at the Bock A was won Wayne Worrall (Nowra) who won 11 – well almost. Photos: Bob Williamson Nailsea Croquet Club (4 lawns) near Bristol for their out of 14 games to beat Bruce Glasgow (Toronto) with 10 annual get together and a lunch at the Pub after the wins. The first three games commenced at 9.30am and the last games. Last year Peter suggested to the members of Block B was won by Di Milne (Nowra) with 10 wins. LITHGOW CLUB REPORT three games finished at 1.30pm. the Nailsea Club that "we should make this an Ashes When the last game of block B between Brian Mitchell Spring finally seems to have arrived and Lithgow Croquet event on an annual basis". The Nailsea reply was (Nowra) and Barbara Murray (Jamberoo) began, both Club members are looking forward to packing away their Australia won the Inaugural Ashes "what a splendid idea". This was put to the Nailsea Brian and Barbara had won 8 games each. Brian won to winter woollies! Which does not mean we have been idle Series Seven Games to Two. It Committee who gave it their full support. claim the runner up prize. over the chilly season. was then "off to the Pub for

Lunch" where Australia was Barbara in third place was awarded an encouragement In September, we hosted a Referee Course run by Manual An Ashes Urn was made in Old Bar in New South presented with the Urn over fish award as she entered the tournament on a handicap of and Glenda Gutierrez from Jamberoo. As well as a group Wales by a friend of Peter’s and a peg stick from the and Chips and a beer. It was a 11 unaware that she would be playing level games of Lithgow Refs in Training, players from Epping and Forster Croquet Club and the Nailsea Croquet club wonderful fun event, held in a against players on handicaps much lower than herself Strathfield also participated. The day was declared a were 'brought to ashes' in two small fires in Australia beautiful part of England among and managed to win 8 out of 14 games. resounding success. M and G had come well prepared, as and England. members of a Croquet club who had participants, with many knotty questions answered. The Urn was mounted on a small stand and it and the After the games finished a BBQ lunch was enjoyed by had as much pleasure as the There was also the opportunity to put all the theory into Australian ashes in a plastic bag were taken to Nailsea players and workers before the presentation of prizes Australians in making a dream practice, so non-participants also gained an insight into the for the mixing with the English ashes and placed was made. come true! challenges of effective refereeing. together in the Urn. The top was then glued tightly

never to be opened. The Inaugural Ashes event was In the same month, John Park was in Brazil, participating in Postscript: Already we have nine couples who have the World Gateball Union Championship. He was selected put into the calendar in Nailsea. expressed interest in coming to Nailsea next year, so if to join the Kew team, which became the first Australian The members of the Nailsea Croquet Club had gone to you are interested in coming along too, please give Peter team to progress to the knockout rounds of the great effort to make Peter and Elaine welcome with a ring on 0419419106 and it will be organized. competition, where they were defeated by eventual Australian flags all over the club house on one side runners up. A great achievement! John relished the and English flags on the other. Koala Bears, opportunity to play Gateball at this level of skills and Didgeridoos, Boomerangs and small Australian Flags Peter Coles strategy and will always remember the roar of over 500 were on a presentation table, and a Top Hat with the spectators as a local Brazilian team won the final on the Action shots: Pat Moroney (Janberoo) on left and Bernie McAlary English Flag emblazoned on it and another Top Hat (Wollongong)) on right. last play. with a centre peg sticking out of the top was on the

John Park celebrates with English table. the victorious Brazilians

We look forward to Everyone enjoyed a welcome the challenge of the lunch break NSW State championship in Canberra in November, though we realise that there is much we need to work on.

VISIT THE CNSW As is also true of our lawn, which has been relentlessly WEB SITE attacked by bugs and birds in recent times, adding to the The scene was set for a not very serious inaugural https://www.croquet-nsw.org normal winter growth slowdown. However, we have a new Ashes Series. In fact, the Ashes Day was restricted to mowing contractor on board and recently held a garage three sets of three games of three Australian couples Block A ‘s Wayne and Bruce with Club Captain sale to boost funds, so will continue to work on lawn playing three English couples - resulting in a total of Margaret Sawers improvement. nine games of one hour maximum. Because the

So our eyes are resolutely turned onwards and upwards as organization was formalized only a few months we head into summer! before the event, Peter was unable to organize any Australians to accompany Elaine and himself to the [email protected] Penny Park

Page 8 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 21

Port Macquarie Golf Croquet Carnival 50th ANNIVERSARY MANLY SEABREEZE 2018 th th 12 to 14 September 2018 - Colin Bradford and David Gibson

This annual carnival was held in glorious weather – always a blessing for croquet carnivals. The 36 players came GOLF from eleven different clubs, from Sawtell in the North to Jamberoo in the South. It was good to welcome a few new Manly Croquet Club’s 50th Seabreeze Tournament commenced in a blaze of Spring glory. Thirty-six players enjoyed golf players. croquet in perfect conditions warm, sunny, still days on our recently renovated lawns. The singles games, played on

Tuesday and Wednesday, 2nd and 3rd October, were an enjoyable time for players, spectators and organisers alike. Unfortunately, due to late withdrawals, five of our members were slotted into the competition. In the Singles, there Players were divided into six blocks of six, roughly graded on handicaps. First and second in each block received were 6 graded blocks of 6 players. The Doubles were seeded, with 4 blocks of 8 players, and arranged so that there certificates and prizes. The results of the singles were: was a good challenging warm-up at the beginning of each day – Block A: (1,8), (2,7), (3,6), (4,5). Block B: (9,16), (10,15), .... Block A was won by Steve Miles from Cammeray, Block B by Rob Wright from Mosman, Block C by Richard Hobbs

from Manly, Block D by Lisa Kelshaw from Manly, Block E by Fidye Westgarth from Mosman and Block F by Penny The Doubles winners were: Paterson from Mosman. Block A: Fred Smith-White (Forster) and Roy Corse Spring departed between the singles matches finishing and the doubles commencing. Organisers arrived on Thursday (Smithtown) morning to find puddles of such a size that one court seemed to be unplayable. But thanks to an ease in the intensity of Block B: Garry Saxton (S.W. Rocks) and Lynley Mitchell the rainfall, a sandy base to all our lawns, and the hard work of two men with brooms, all courts were playable by the (Urunga) scheduled start time. Unfortunately, the rain continued unabated for the two days of competition, and consequently Block C: Joseph De Giovanni (Manly) and Jim Timbs (Nelson some players became unwell and had to withdraw after playing some, but not all, of their games. Our three blocks of 6 Bay) pairs were reduced to one block of 6, one block of 5 and one block of 3. Nevertheless, those who persevered enjoyed Block D: Joan Wheatland (Sawtell) and Robyn Clarke (Port their games and played good croquet despite the soggy conditions. If any Clubs in drought affected areas of NSW want Macquarie) an end to the drought, consider inviting Manly Club’s Golf Croquet tournament organiser, Colin Bradford, to assist you Sadly, on Friday Peter and Elaine Coles had to withdraw with organising your next tournament. It has rained during almost every tournament he has organised over the last from the competition. All blocks were fiercely contested three years. but it appears that ‘local knowledge’ was an advantage. The results of the doubles matches were: Only 2 players were undefeated – Stephen Howes in Block Block A was won by Elaine and Peter Coles from Forster, Block B by Greg Deakin (Killara) and Griselda Prins A and Erlinda Attwater in Block D. The Singles results were: (Mosman) and Block C by Anthea Piddington and Heather Sherlock from Mosman. Block A Winner: Stephen Howes (Cammeray) My sincere thanks to all who refereed, particularly to Wendy Fothergill and Jim Hicks who were not playing. Runner-up: John Mitchell (Urunga) Block B Winner: Liz Woods (S.W. Rocks) Runner-up: Roy Corse (Smithtown) Block C Winner: Kevin Attwater (Port Macquarie) Runner-up: Lyn Dalziel (Sawtell) Block D Winner: Erlinda Attwater (Port Macquarie) Runner-up: Janelle Brown (Jamberoo) Block E Winner: Keith Dalton (Port Macquarie) Runner-up: Jim Timbs (Nelson Bay) Block F Winner: Robyn Clarke (Port Macquarie) ASSOCIATION Runner-up: Pam Dingle (Nelson Bay) th Events in the Association part of the Seabreeze kicked off on Saturday 6 October with the courts underwater. The rained eased and the courts soon drained with play commencing close to the starting time. The rain came down and As usual, many of our club members contributed to the success of the carnival by helping with the organisation, kept coming down but the players braved the conditions and play went on. That is until about lunchtime on Wednesday keeping the players supplied with food and drink, taking action and group photos and donating gifts for the 3 daily when the courts went under again and play in six matches had to be suspended and the courts pegged down. We did raffle prizes. have two days when it didn’t rain. My sincere thanks to the players who played in atrocious conditions without We were very grateful to the many players and club referees who volunteered to referee, under the supervision of complaint and the referees Jim Hicks, Maria Morton, Ron Humpherson, Bob Green and Fay Simpson. My thanks also to the Tournament Referee, Trevor Thornton. the players who refereed.

Two social functions were held. On Wednesday night many had dinner at The Westport Club, to whom we are now Steve Miles from Cammeray won Block 1 with four wins on a count back. David Stanton from Cammeray won Block 2 affiliated. Jenny Edmunds, Community and Sports Manager, The Westport Club, and Peta Pinson, Port Macquarie- with four wins on a count back. Glenda Chaplyn from Southport Qld won Block 3 with four wins. Block 4 was won by Hastings Council Mayor, presented the prizes. We thank the Westport Club and the Council for their support and Evelyn Humpherson from Cammeray with four wins. Block 5 was won by Michael Gill from Cammeray on a count back sponsorship. A dinner in the clubhouse followed the presentation. Judy Chapman and Helen Meers catered for the with 3 players having four wins event. The Mary Duckworth Memorial Trophy for the bronze player with the most hoops in singles matches went to Graham The collage that accompanies this report is also available on the club’s website. The photos were taken by Herman Maynard from Cammeray. Stephen Howes from Cammeray was surprised to win the Jean Hay Trophy for the most Camphuis and made into a collage by me. A collage photo will be emailed to all participants, as a momento of the peg outs but conditions made pegging out tough. carnival. My thanks to all the Manly members who made this tournament run smoothly. Special thanks to Rhonda Newton who, with her team, looked after the social side of things and to Rose Anne White who organized the team to set up the Bridget Earle courts each morning. Carnival Manager All the scores can be found on “croquetscores”.

Page 22 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 7

MID NORTH COAST CROQUET COUNCIL (MNCCC) The ricochet competition was added this year. In each FORSTER CROQUET CLUB Derek Burrows (Sawtell -Winner C REPORT FOR 2018 match eight games of singles and two games of doubles Association Spring Carnival 2018 Block), with Fred Smith-White were played. The winning club was Port Macquarie. The Forster, Gloucester, Taree and Port Macquarie Clubs Forster Croquet Club has just held its Annual Spring have had another year of challenging competitions. Two The District Championships are held in September/ Carnival. We had a field of thirty players coming from all Barbara McTiernan levels of competition are played in association croquet, October each year. In association croquet level play directions of the state. A welcome BBQ, collection of golf croquet and ricochet. singles games are played between the divisional winners. Programs and Practice on Sunday started the week off.

The event was hosted by Forster, run by Barb McTiernan, The carnival was run as a Round Robin with five blocks of In the first half of the year Inter-Club Handicap Tournament Manager and the winners were: six, one game a day, 2½ hours single banked and 2¾ Competitions are held. Each club plays against the other Division 1 Ray Vize (Forster) hours doubled banked. As we have four courts all players three clubs in one day competitions. Division 2 Graham Innocent (Forster) had three games single banked and two games double Division 3 Sue Shenton (Port Macquarie) In golf croquet there are twelve games of singles and banked. The single is very popular! GALA DAY AT GLOUCESTER - BEVERLEY MURRAY twelve games of doubles in each match. The 2018 winner Division 4 Neil Fuller (Forster) The weather was not good Monday but improved for the On 1st September Gloucester Golf Croquet Club of the Jan Sage Plate was the Gloucester Club. Gloucester hosted the golf croquet championships on a remaining days. The courts were running really well and welcomed a pleasant spring day for their annual Gala In association croquet, because of the limited number of wet and windy day. Bev Murray and her team organised such a pleasure for many of the visitors to play on. We Day, along with thirty-nine players from nine clubs: players, four games of singles and two games of doubles the day. This is a team competition with singles and are played in each match. The 2018 winner of the Rogers are very lucky here at Forster. Toronto, Manly, Newcastle National Park, Mr Sugarloaf, doubles games played. The winners were: Forster, Macquarie City, Myall Park, Maitland and Nelson Plate was the Port Macquarie Club. Division 1 Forster (Ray Vize and Sandy Penny Jude was the Referee in Charge for about the fifth Bay. Lyn Stewart from the Gloucester Club was called Coutts) year running and she did a great job. Lots of the visitors upon late on Friday night owing to a last-minute Division 2 Gloucester (Bev Murray, plus locals were extremely cooperative when it came to withdrawal. Margaret-Rose Thompson from Nelson Bay Yvonne Bagnall and Brenda Refereeing. Nearly every game had a Referee. once again was our Gala Day Referee-in-Charge. She was Pennicuik) The kitchen was fully operational, plenty of volunteers to ably assisted by Janine Crellin and Jan Sage from Taree Division 3 Forster (Debbie Fuller, help and also many donations of slices/cakes. No one and Penny Jude and Tom Adams from Forster. Some Norma Bogan and Daphne went hungry. players also assisted during the day. Young) The Block Winners and Runners-up: This was a doubles day. Play was over 4 Blocks, each pair The ricochet championships were held at playing four games over the day. Vice President Elaine Taree, organised by Jan Sage. The A: Bill Blowes, Wagga, Graham Cullen, Nowra. Leech welcomed the visitors then handed over to winners were: B: John Piggott Urunga, John Talbot, Taree. Margaret-Rose to deliver the format for the day. Division 1 Sue Moss (Port Macquarie) C: Derek Burrows, Sawtell, Tom Akre, Taree. Players were treated to our very popular soup and Division 2 Bridget Earle (Port D: Peter Deeth, Coutts Crossing, Bruce Byatt, Forster damper lunch, with morning and afternoon tea (home- Macquarie) E: Sandra Colquhuon, Cammeray, David Rush, Killara. cooked scones, cakes and slices) available all day. Division 3 Janine Crellin (Taree) Congratulations to all who played in this Carnival. The day concluded with the drawing of numerous prizes Division 4 Keith Dalton (Port Macquarie We finished up with a Presentation of Pizza and red and followed by the announcement of Block Winners.

white wine. Block A: Brenda Wild and Carol Goodman. With the introduction of ricochet we are delighted that eight of our players are As a thank you to players a lucky dip was drawn, prize Block B: Cheryl Lloyd and Sandy now ricochet referees, thanks to the help being a free entry into next year’s Carnival and the Tawa. and guidance of Margaret Thompson. winner was Bill Blowes from Wagga. Block C: Anne Johnston and Barbara Moran. Block D: Wayne Johnston & Marion The final event of the year will be the A most enjoyable week at Forster was had by all. Christmas Party and Trophy Presentation Graff. at Port Macquarie. The four clubs are very supportive of these inter-club Graham Cullen (Nowra) events which foster friendship and lively Rimmer-up Block A with Fred Smith –White (Forster CC Vice President Elaine competition between our players President) Leech and Margaret-

Rose Thompson with

Block A winners Carol

Goodman and Brenda Bridget Earle Carol Dwyer Wild. President Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Colquhoun (Cammeray) Winner E Block, with Barb McTiernan, Tournament Manager

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WCF RULES OF GOLF CROQUET NEW BOARD MEMBERS uninterrupted history as a community club reliant on PRINCIPAL CHANGES IN THE 5TH EDITION the energy, commitment and enthusiasm of its Richard Hughes members. The club plays Association, Golf and

GENERAL Ricochet and members compete in club and interclub This is a summary of major changes . More detail and explanations may be found in the Rationale document. What brought you to being a member of events in the 3 codes. Ballina has, for its size, a strong

the Board? roster of coaches, referees and umpires who are OFFSIDE BALLS Since starting to play croquet a few years ago I have been committed to improving and encouraging the enjoyment If a player plays an onside ball before a direction has been given about their offside ball, the onside ball cannot now be the Captain and Senior Vic President and Club Delegate and skills of members. The Ballina community has 2 clubs recalled. to Croquet NSW for Ballina Croquet. I have been involved with over 140 members playing on 2 courts 7 days a COURT AND EQUIPMENT in Northern Rivers Croquet Association (NRCA) events, week. Ballina Croquet is working hard with Ballina Council The court boundary is now the same as for AC so a ball leaves the court when en edge crosses the boundary instead of meetings and deliberations. Ballina and NRCA have and local, state and federal representatives, other its centre. benefitted from the work and commitment of Croquet sporting groups and agencies on the development of a NSW officials –Board members past and present, new croquet facility in Ballina on another site which will Scoring Clips are now not Outside Agencies when attached to a hoop, so it is safe to leave them in place when coaching and refereeing directors and several other benefit all croquet players in the area and beyond. Ballina attempting to run a hoop. However, either side can now require a clip to be removed before the stroke is played. volunteers who have provided advice, training, expertise is a friendly club with some members who want to Requirements for the adjustment of hoops and the peg are now set. and support. I wanted to be able to make a contribution compete at the highest level they can through to FAULTS to croquet state wide from a regional perspective. members for whom croquet is an enjoyable social Non-Striking Faults no longer exist. They are now treated as interferences and corrected, but there is no penalty. activity. Like many clubs, members have long term Striking faults are now just faults. What is your Board portfolio and what is your key focus friendships with each other solely because of croquet. for this for the next 12 months? Members look out for each other, checking up that a Two faults have been removed. These are the ones relating to “resting” the arm on the ground, leg or an outside At this stage I do not have a specific portfolio. I am keen member is OK if the member misses a series of play days. agency. These are seen as occurring predominantly in strokes used in AC that are rarely seen in GC. The fault of to familiarise myself with the range of issues that the touching the head of the mallet is now limited in time to the forward swing in which the stroke is played. This Board is dealing with. From my experience on other not           recognizes that such touching after the swing is completed gives the player no advantage. for profit boards the Board is important in setting goals Carol Hayes THE TURN AND TH STRIKING PERIOD and developing the strategies to achieve these goals. The Turns now begin as soon as the previous turn ends. There is no gap. This change enables the striking period to begin Board has a role in determining the success and ethos of croquet as a sport that caters for a wide range of What brought you to being a member of the before the ball is struck and, consequently, simplifies the faults rules. Board? members – members of all ages, abilities and interests in The striking period now begins when the player takes up a stance with the apparent intention of playing a stroke. This the sport from competing at the top echelons to those I began playing croquet when I retired in means that some errors can now be treated as faults which were previously non-striking faults. It is possible to interrupt for whom croquet is an important social and community 2002. Shortly after starting I entered a the striking period by breaking the stance, but this does not avoid faults already committed. outlet. Participation in croquet should be enjoyable, tournament at Maitland and brought home a big trophy

played by the rules and with ethical standards. On a and some cash! So of course I was hooked and since then Strokes may now be declared to be played. A player declaring a stroke must say which ball would have been played. have been quite successful playing at interclub and State procedural level I see the focus as the Board ensuring WRONG BALL PLAY that it has appropriate policies and procedures in place to level. The emphasis is now on obtaining a fair continuation of play, and not on punishment for playing a wrong ball. In most satisfy funding bodies that croquet is well managed and What is your Board portfolio and what is your key focus cases the remedy is for the wrong ball to be replaced and the correct ball played. Because this can lead to “gift hoops” compliant with these bodies’ requirements. for this for the next 12 months? after sequences of playing the partner ball, the non-offender now has in this case the option of a ball swap instead of What is your vision for croquet in NSW and what do you As a first time Director I expect it will be a sharp learning replace and replay. curve but I actually want to learn more about how CNSW think Clubs and individual members can do to support PENALTY AREA that? operates in relationship to its connection with clubs and The penalty spot is now enlarged to a semi-circle of radius 1 yard. This reduces the possibility of blocking tactics when I am keen for the boom in croquet’s numbers to continue their members and hopefully make an effective contribution to its policy and procedure. two or more balls are to be played from the same penalty area. The area can be used to continue the game after some through an increased profile for croquet. The best way rare occurrences where a neutral continuation position is required. As well as the current wrong hoop restart, the cases for this to be achieved is for publicity and communication What is your vision for croquet in NSW and what do you are 1) in overlapping play where both sides are at fault, and 2) when a side has played a wrong bal because the previous about achievements on the courts and benefits for think Clubs and individual members can do to support turn was played by the other side with an opponent’s ball. participants – belonging to a cohesive sporting that?

COMMUNICATION OF DECISIONS community, competitive and social engagements and for As my background is in vocational education and The rules now specify the obligations of the two sides to communicate decisions and to respond promptly to requests croquet to be well managed. Clubs and individuals can management, I am particularly interested in the for information or decisions in relation to: support the health of croquet by communicating their development of players especially in the areas of  offside ball directions; involvement in, passion for and the benefits of croquet to handicapping and player progression through the sport.

 whether Replace and Replay or Ball Swap will apply; them to the communities they are in. Individuals should feel validated for their participation at whatever level, as Tell us a bit about your local club and what you like best  whether balls are to be replaced after a fault; members are great ambassadors. Social media provides a about it?  the state of the game; and good opportunity for spreading the word and publicising  whether an extra stroke will be played in a handicap game I am currently a member of Wollongong Croquet Club the achievements of clubs and individuals. which is situated between the mountains and the sea and

BEHAVIOUR Tell us a bit about your local club and what you like best surrounded by parkland and sporting fields..... a really Options available to referees to deal with misbehavior have been increased. about it. idyllic place to play croquet where visitors are always Ballina Croquet was founded in 1936 and has enjoyed an welcome.

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BALLINA HOSTS SUCCESSFUL NRCA COUTTS CROSSING - Peter Martin ORANGE CITY CLUB COOGEE CROQUET CLUB

AC TOURNAMENT At Coutts Crossing we are thinking about running our first Orange City Croquet Club held its Golf Croquet Handicap Now that Coogee Croquet Club members are comfortable open AC 'event' in 2019. There are lots of questions to The spoils were shared at the Northern Rivers Croquet Carnival during the week of 16th to 19th October 2018. with competitions we are all enjoying them. We have answer. What format makes a good tournament for non- Association AC Tournament hosted by Ballina from 12 to Competitors travelled from Headlands Buderim, learnt how to deal with handicaps, record them as soon elite players? For myself, at about the average age of 15 September 2018. Entrants from Ballina, Byron Bay, Jamberoo, Nowra, Chatswood and the Blue Mountains to as we leave the green after a match, and are working to most non-elite players, two games a day for three days, Cherry St, Coutts Crossing, Coolangatta and Southport participate. Some members from Orange also took part. improve them. or five games in two days, then go home. I have been to competed in five events over four days. The good All games were close and played in a spirit of friendly number of entries proves that AC is in good health in the several 'carnivals' run most efficiently by delightful clubs, The organisation of competitions has been refined and competition. they run very smoothly, thanks to Tournament Director Northern Rivers. but only one game each day. I have done all my sightseeing nearby, and am not attracted to returning to The winner of Block A was David Barlow from Orange Susan Hamilton. Silver handicap pegs are a great Two members from Coutts Crossing Croquet Club, Simon the same place again next year. and the runner up was Martin Atkins from Headlands addition to our coloured collection, pegged on Cook and Peter Deeth, and Gavin Clarke, Coolangatta, Buderim. competitors’ shirts. The most recent event over two days were competing in their first tournament. Gavin and We also want to cater for those players who are not yet - the 2018 Golf Croquet Handicap Singles Competition - Peter had great success - winner and runner up retired. They want their croquet condensed to use as Block B was won by Martin Liiv from The Blue featured 18 players and many spectators. Of course respectively in the division 2 advanced handicap singles little of their annual leave as possible. In metropolitan Mountains and runner up was John Siccardi also from the observers can see which shot should be taken next, or event. Other winners were Garry Purcell, Southport, Sydney the cost of travelling to Tempe or Sydney clubs Blue Mountains. alternatively know how to have played a particular shot from one's home is not high, but for those with travel and division 1 advanced handicap singles, Mike Gidding, Many helpers from Orange, led by Captain Rik Mills, after it is done, so there is much whispered discussion Ballina, Open singles. Mike was also successful in the two hotel expenses, it does not justify one game a day. ensured a smooth running Carnival was enjoyed by all. around the sidelines. The bonus is our trainee referee doubles events, due to his judicious selection of partners The best value tournaments I have played in are those Attached are photos of the winners and runners up of Kaye Martin who was busy all day. Kaye has emailed new – winning the advanced handicap doubles event with CNSW events in Tempe demanding two or three games each block and a group photo of all the participants rules to members regularly, so now there is no excuse! Richard Hughes and the prestigious event of the daily, the format at Bribie Island, three matches per day Kaye gives mini pep-talks about rules before each tournament – the Mums Cup, which is a Championship on Saturday and Sunday, and the Mosman Bash, two competition. Doubles, where he partnered Mary Hughes. The Mums games a day. Our semi-finalists for the Cup has a distinguished history dating from 1935 and the winners are a roll call of accomplished players from the The cost to players is becoming more important. Some of above competition were (L region. us have plenty of money and are not concerned with to R) Werner Kos, Peter costs, many more need to budget carefully. I recently ‘Buzz’ Buswell, Val Lloyd Competition was generally tight but friendly. The hosts travelled to Tempe from northern NSW for a three day and Robin Sen. The winner appreciated the commitment from entrants, several of tournament. I was away from home for four days and was Buzz, who also won the whom competed in all events they were eligible for. The the total cost of travel, food, hotel, etc was over $1,500. Golf Croquet Open Singles sunny days belied the at times difficult conditions caused I can afford that, most cannot. Championship this year. by the strong winds which were, at times, cold and penetrating and affected the balls’ trajectory. At Coutts Crossing we are forming plans for an AC A good introduction to tournament, our first, in 2019. What will attract people competition is our Mayor's to come to somewhere many have never heard of, most Cup, played over the year (1 February to 30 November) could not pinpoint on a map, and seems very distant? for Golf Croquet Handicap Singles games. Games may be We have two options: five matches in two days or six in played at any time by mutual agreement with two points three. Both we think are far more attractive than a game for a win and one point for a loss. The winner is the a day. member with the most points at year end. The Mayor

We will also offer something we have not seen presents the inscribed cup at our Opening of the Season elsewhere, a packaged deal. We have good relations and Awards Presentation in February. with the owner of Coutts Crossing Tavern who is We are pleased to note that Randwick Council is moving installing ten new cabins. He will give us deep discounts. on parked boat trailers that feature all around our roads. With him we will be offering two nights accommodation, Along with members of the nearby Tennis and Bowling two evening meals, tournament entry fee, tea, coffee and Clubs, and visitors to Coogee Beach and adjacent Bardon two sandwich lunches, all for the package price of about Park, our members are frustrated by the limited parking. $220. This removes all the hassle and allows everyone to Members have to walk a great distance sometimes…..and socialise at the same location in the evening over a meal we get plenty of walking exercise on the greens. and drinks. After two or three days of intensive croquet Entrants in Mums Cup left to right: John Williams, Mary Hughes, and companionship, you go home content. Our hard working green keeper and member Mike Martin Robert Smillie, Max Donati, Julie Higgins, John Tann, Gavin Clarke, is top dressing the greens in Spring. Club members will Peter Deeth, Mike Gidding, Ray Chapman, David Scott, Peter Martin Are the days of one game a day tournaments nearing have a two week break from croquet, playing indoor their end? Perhaps, perhaps not, but I know that events Fay Lochrin games of mahjong and scrabble, etc, and the greens will guaranteeing at least two games a day will be more likely Publicity be ready for Makara and Summer. to get my patronage. At Coutts Crossing we will Richard Hughes endeavor to make our events attractive to people who Rosemary King are on a budget and with limited time.

Page 4 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 25

STRATEGIES FOR USING BISQUES IN AC by Neil Hardie Contd from p. 1 SOMETHING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION DESK

This is the first of a series of four articles on the use of bisques, covering the strategies and tactics used when playing with or against The overtaking rule also seemed to be required only bisques. These notes are mainly for bronze and silver players (apart from the article on playing against bisques) – for gold and Things have been on the move in the administrative rarely. world and the Board has made some important decisions. platinum players the tactics with bisques are different, and these players need no advice anyway. If an impatient player wants all the information now, they can email Neil Hardie on [email protected] and he will send you all the articles. The weather was generally fine and dry, although the first Hard to make it light reading but here goes.

OVERVIEW day of the Men’s and Women’s Singles was damp and . It is difficult to use bisques sensibly. It is said that by the time you know how to use bisques, you don’t get any because your handicap cold, and the Saturday during the ISS was really hot and Firstly, the CNSW Annual Yearbook is too low. Many people play badly while they have bisques, then improve dramatically once their bisques have gone. This is windy, and quite a challenge for tiring players! It has been published in hard copy for several years presumably because they are confused by the bisques, and are not able to concentrate properly on their game while the bisques are providing details of clubs, members, referees, coaches, there. However, it is very profitable to use bisques well; for high handicap players it helps to develop breaks, and allows them to play THE TEAM event winners and future events but it is a static against good players. Bronze players who play only against other bronze players take much longer to improve. Better players are document that becomes more out of date as the year often poor at playing against bisques. Many of them avoid handicap tournaments because they are put off by an array of bisques Alison Sharpe led the team with excellent flair and progresses. As the CNSW website has developed, much against them. But just as there are techniques for using bisques, there are techniques for playing against bisques. positivity, and also achieved the best individual of the information in the yearbook has become available The methods of playing with bisques (or against bisques) varies according to the situation. You have a different strategy if you have a performances of the competition. The team members on the public pages of the website and more recently in large number of bisques as compared to having only a few bisques. You have a different strategy against a top grade player as against generally showed a high level of mutual support and the members area after sign-in. This information is live a moderate player. maintained a cheerful and enthusiastic atmosphere. The and in real time so the Board has decided to cease If you are playing against a very good player (say handicap 5 or less), then your opponent may only need two turns to finish the game. team performance on the last day was outstanding, even That means that one of your main aims is to stop the opponent from getting in. There is nothing more frustrating than losing a game producing a hard copy of the yearbook. Details of where though the overall result was by then settled. The team members can access the information will be made when you still have a number of bisques left. meetings were uplifting and enjoyable. Against a moderate player there is little likelihood of your opponent making a long break, so you can afford to let them in several available through club secretaries, the CNSW website and times, and keep your bisques for occasions when they will be most useful. The doubles partnerships were a particular strength of social media.

STRATEGIES FOR USING BISQUES the team. They were carefully considered and established There are basically three main strategies for using bisques. two months before the ISS, and remained stable and Secondly, a new Constitution will be circulated for a) ‘Keep it going’ strategy consistent. As in most of the last few years, both the member clubs to vote upon before the end of the year. This is used against a very good player who can finish in two or three turns. This kind of opponent is usually good at roquets, so they reserves were required to play, and fortunately had The current Constitution was successfully introduced in are quite likely to hit a long shot across the lawn. This means that wherever you leave the balls, your opponent is likely to hit in and travelled with the team. It really is essential to have five September 2015 and contained transition arrangements make a long break. If you are a high handicap player you will have a lot of bisques; if you are a silver player against a platinum grade, men and five women players available and match-ready from the old Executive to a new Board. Over time a you will still have at least five and a half bisques. for this gruelling competition. number of minor errors in the document have been The plan here is to set up a four-ball break (using one or more bisques) and take a bisque whenever you break down to keep the found and also areas identified that needed attention, break going. It was most valuable that Karen Bisley was present with revision and removal. The process of reviewing the b) ‘Make every bisque count’ strategy the team, not just for her driving, cooking and general constitution began early this year and has taken many This is used when you only have a few bisques; for example, with a sixteen handicap player against a twelve handicap. As you have support, but particularly for her medical expertise, which only a few bisques, there is not a great difference in skill between the players, and your opponent will need a lot of turns to finish the twists and turns. Legal opinion has been sought and the was definitely needed, and her advice on maintaining document aligned to the recently released NSW Office of game. The plan is to use each bisque where it will have the greatest effect – in other words, when you can almost certainly make two hydration, injury prevention and wellbeing. or more hoops with the bisque, or where you stop your opponent from making several hoops. Sport template constitution for State Sporting c) ‘Use with care’ strategy The team enjoyed two very hospitable evenings hosted Organisations. There are no dramatic changes to how This is the strategy when you have a reasonable number of bisques, but not enough to keep using them regardless. Your opponent is by Nerida Taylor and Pam Gentle. Our hosts were CNSW operates nor how a Member Club operates a good player, but not someone who can finish in a couple of turns. Here you set up a break and try to keep it going. But if you get to fortunately understanding about our need to get to bed although some new policies have been introduced to a position where another bisque will not help the break much, and your opponent is unlikely to make a break, you allow them a turn. in good time! expand on and clarify some areas. Members will need to STRATEGIES AGAINST BISQUES get used to some new terms though. There are two basic strategies here. THE RESULTS a) Hit in and make a break Thirdly, the Board affirms its 100% support for the In the Singles tournaments, all the members of the NSW If you are a good player who can make long breaks, you try to hit in whenever you have the chance, even if it gives your opponent a Australian Handicap System and it is in everyone’s good situation (especially against a novice with many bisques). Eventually you will roquet, and then if you can make a long break you team made it to the knockout stages, which comprised 32 interest to uphold the integrity of the system. Clubs have put great pressure on your opponent and increase the chance of their making errors. (Men) and 16 (Women). Peter Landrebe won the Men’s, been asked to let its playing members know that they b) Draw the bisques David Hanbidge reached the semifinals, and Peter Freer should have only one handicap/index card. Also, as If you are playing against a player of similar ability and they have a few bisques, you make breaks whenever you can, but you avoid and Chris Williamson reached the last 8. Alison Sharpe events are winding up for 2018 it would be a good time giving them easy chances to make hoops, and you set up leaves intended to draw bisques from your opponent. won the Women’s, and Brenda Wild and Ros Johnstone for players to update their handicaps and indexes in the In practice a player would use a combination of these strategies – try to hit in when there is a good chance of a roquet, and join up to reached the last 8. CNSW database either themselves of through their club draw bisques when an attempt to roquet would give your opponent an easy chance of several hoops. There are some excellent In the ISS, the NSW team performed strongly, and if a few secretary. articles on bisques on the Oxford Croquet website. We will provide links to these at the appropriate times.

A good starting point is How to Play – Intermediate’ section 9 ‘Using Bisques’: http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/ chances had fallen the other way we could have come intermediate/9.asp second or possibly even first. However, the still-solid Have an enjoyable festive season and keep your eye open Victorians and the increasingly powerful Western for more administrative developments in 2019. USING BISQUES – THE ‘KEEP IT GOING’ STRATEGY Australians were the teams to fight out the deciding Test If we are playing an opponent who can finish the game in two or three turns, our strategy must be to keep them out of play for as on the last day, which was very narrowly won by Victoria. long as possible. If you are a bronze player against such an opponent you will have at least ten bisques. If you are a silver player you will still have five or more bisques. Peter Montague Steve Thornton Here the aim is to make as many hoops as possible by using all the bisques. Against a skilled opponent there is no point in making Team Manager Secretary CNSW one hoop at a time and hoping they don’t hit in. So the first task is to set up the lawn for a break, even if this uses two or three bisques. If you have a half bisque, this is the best time to use it.

Page 26 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 3

Articles on the Oxford Croquet website at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/beginners/bcn3.asp#WPTOHTML5 and http:// www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/intermediate/9.asp explain how to set up a 4-ball break from the opening; and there is a very nice animation on this at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/3d/complex.htm?script=bisque1.js Once you have set up the lawn for a 4-ball break, with a ball at hoop 1, a ball at hoop 2, and a pivot ball somewhere near the peg, you are ready to From the Board Chairman: From the Editor” start making hoops. Try to make sure that you keep the lawn set up, and if necessary use a bisque to do this. Don’t leave any balls behind, and

always try to get a ball near the hoop after the current one, and a pivot ball somewhere in the middle. The Oxford croquet site has some problems showing how to set up a break from various positions, such as difficult leaves by your opponent at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/bisque/ index.asp The ACA GC Gold Medal event, the Summer is coming at last as evident by Womens and Mens Singles & the ISS have the temperatures of some recent days. Now, each time you make an error, you take a bisque and keep going. Because the lawn is set up for you, this is always a good time all been run and won and NSW triumphed to take bisques. Your tactics are to make sure that you can keep going even if you make a mistake (blobbing in a hoop or missing a again!! We had John Levick (Gold Medal), After almost giving up hope of filling the roquet) if you take a bisque. This means that you avoid shots that might leave you a long way from a roquet, or wired from another Alison Sharpe (Womens Singles) and Peter pages, late entries meant I have had to ball near a hoop. Do not try to rush another ball hard unless you are very close to it and are very confident of hitting. If you are a Landrebe (Mens Singles) win their respective events – increase the size of this edition. In fact, it required two few yards away, you can either put a gentle shot to a good rushing position and take a bisque, or aim to roquet gently, and then roll congratulations to all!!! Our ISS team came a creditable additions, each of four pages. Consequent on this the two balls up the lawn. If you aim gently and miss, you at least have an easy roquet for the next time after you have taken a third (up from 5th last year) with some very close games increase, is a tedious rearrangement of the articles! bisque. You may use another bisque, but that is better than being twenty yards away. Don’t try sharply angled hoops, because your chances of making them are small, and if you jam against the hoop leg you may need two bisques to extricate yourself; tap gently not going our way – next year we step further up the This issue is brought to you by the following clubs: into a good position and take a bisque to run the hoop. ladder. Ballina, Byron Bay, Coogee, Cowra, Coutts Crossing, If you have twelve bisques, for example, and you use two to set up the lawn, and then make a couple of hoops for each bisque, you Forster, Gloucester, Hazelbrook, Lismore, Lithgow, will have made your first twelve hoops and still have four bisques left for your next round. After you have taken your first ball I would like to thank the Clubs involved with the running Manly, Mosman, Nelson Bay, Nowra, Orange, Port of the above events (Newcastle, Toronto, Maitland, around, separate all the balls to make sure your opponent cannot make a break – you can always start a break with one of your Macquarie, Mid-North Coast Clubs, Sawtell, Sqne bisques, especially if your opponent joins up. Then if you can use two bisques to make a few more hoops – and keep one bisque to EDSACC, Branxton and Myall Park) for all their hard work trathfield, There is an interesting take on an Ashes deal with your opponent’s leave if they do hit in and make a long break – then you will have 16 or 17 hoops and have a good chance over the preceding year and throughout the events. I Croquet event and another great Makara is well of winning. received only positive comments from players and described. Gateball has some entries. Thank you to all spectators. Well done and thankyou to everyone ADVANCED PLAY for these contributions. If you are playing advanced rules, with lifts and contact, you need to decide if you are going to go round to the peg and give contact. involved. The advantage of this is that your opponent only gets one leave. The drawback is that unless you set a good contact leave (all balls The important Inter-State Shield report rakes pride of on the boundary, away from baulks, and well separated), the opponent is likely to make a break. So if you have good distance place on page 1 and we congratulate our NSW team for After His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley control, and can put balls on or near boundaries, then go to the peg and set a contact leave. If you are not confident about this, go (Governor of NSW and CNSW Patron) and Mrs Hurley their great efforts in this, finishing a creditable third. We to 4-back and set a leave. visited the Hunter for the above events CNSW received are due for a win in this event and maybe it will come in an invitation to showcase Croquet on the front lawn of 2019. Keep up the practice!. Alison Sharpe reports on DO I KEEP ONE LAST BISQUE? This depends on the situation. If your opponent has taken one ball round (to the peg, or to 4-back if they do triple peels regularly), Government House at the upcoming Australia Day Open croquet in a quite different setting—the bush! An then they need only one more turn to win – so there is no point in letting them have a chance of doing that. If, however, your House day. With great excitement we’ve accepted the amazing experience for her! opponent has not done this, they will need two turns to win. This means they will have to do a long break and then set a leave. If invitation. This will be a fantastic day to promote Two new Board Members are introduced to us, Carol you have kept one bisque, then you will be able to disrupt their leave, and set up for yourself. If time is short, you can play Croquet to approx. 2500 visitors throughout the day. Hayes & Richard Hughes. We wish them well in their defensively to keep them out of play until time goes. We are assuming that you will have made at least twelve hoops with all your Naturally we’ll need a large number of members to play other bisques so that you are ahead. undertakings on our behalf. and explain the comings and goings of croquet for the WHAT DO I DO IN THE OPENING? Steve Thornton has reported on some admin issues that day. Please keep this date free and come and support If you win the toss, go in second – that means there are three balls on the lawn when you put on your second ball, and you have a Croquet at Government House. More information will be the Board members have been dealing with. Bev Smith better chance of a break. Don’t set a tice – that just makes it easier for your opponent to hit in. My preference is to put a ball near distributed shortly via the CNSW website page. has provided a summary of the main changes to the hoop 2 (five yards south west) – that is a long roquet for the opponent, and it establishes my hoop 2 pioneer early. If you go in first, Rules of Golf Croquet which come into effect officially don’t join up; you opponent will set a tice, and if they hit, they have an easy break. Aim hard for the tice, and if you miss the Last week the Board held its first regional information from the beginning of 2019 but they can be implemented opponent has a difficult job to make a break. If you hit the tice, put it up the lawn and set a rush towards it. by clubs now. The new rules can be found on the World session followed by the Board meeting at Urunga (North RULES RELATING TO BISQUES Region). Many questions were asked and answers given Croquet Website. A bisque or half bisque can be taken at the end of a turn. The player must indicate clearly that they are taking a bisque by raising their hand and finger. If they are taking a half bisque they must call out clearly that they are doing so. Play must continue with the same striker ball as the previous on a wide range of topics. Thank you to Barb Piggott for Neil Hardie has sent a great article on Bisques and the organising the meetings. turn. When a bisque is taken, all balls are live again. best way to use these. This is the first of four articles, the If a half bisque is taken, no hoop can be scored in that turn. If a ball goes through its hoop after a half bisque, that hoop does not count, and the turn other articles will be included in future Newsletters. would end unless the shot was a croquet shot, or also makes a roquet. Please check out the news item from the Administration A player who has indicated that they are taking a bisque (or half bisque) can change their mind, and decide not to take a bisque. However, a player Desk, courtesy of CNSW Secretary Steve Thornton, within A Vale was received for Margaret Burke, formerly of who has indicated that they are not taking a bisque cannot change that decision. the newsletter for an update on Board decisions. Epping Club. No bisques can be taken after the bell for the end of time for the game. However, if the game goes on to a golden point period, then further bisques can be taken. Christmas and the end of another year is coming. May If a player’s turn comes to an end, and they play a further shot without indicating that they are taking a bisque, the referee (or opponent) can Keep the participation levels up and I look forward to all celebrations be joyful and may everyone be require them to replace the balls to their previous position, state that they are taking a bisque, and replay the shot. No bisque can be taken after a player has pegged out their striker ball, as they cannot continue with the same ball. seeing you on the lawns soon. invigorated for another year of croquet in 2019. If a player takes a bisque prematurely (i.e. indicates that they are taking a bisque before their turn has ended) the opponent or referee must let them know that their turn has not ended, and they are entitled to continue playing before the bisque is taken. This usually happens when a player Happy Hooping, has a continuation shot, but indicates that they are taking a bisque. In advanced handicap play, the striker gives contact to the opponent if they Wendy Fothergill score 1-back and 4-back with their first ball during continuous play, even if they have taken one or more bisques in the process. Brenda Wild Bisques can be taken after faults or errors. If a fault occurs, the player can require the opponent to decide whether they are going to leave the balls where they are or replace them in the previous position before deciding whether or not to take a bisque. It is the responsibility of the striker Closing date for next issue: 20 February 2019 with bisques to ensure that bisque sticks are removed as appropriate, and that the bisque sticks represent the remaining bisques.

Page 2 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 CNSW Newsletter December 2018 Page 27

COWRA CROQUET CLUB GALA DAY SEPTEMBER 25th , 2018 COWRA CROQUET CLUB GALA DAY On 25thSEPTEMBER September, 25th Cowra , 2018 Croquet Club held another of Cowra’s Ana On 25th September,its very popular Cowra Gala Croquet Days. TeamsClub held came another from Young,of Blue Kusetic trying her Cowra’s Ana its very popularMountains, Gala Days.Hazelbrook Teams cameand Molongfrom Young, for theBlue occasion. luck with ‘Up the Some of the further away teams really look forward to Kusetic tryingGutter’. her Mountains, Hazelbrook and Molong for the occasion. luck with ‘Up the visiting Cowra for a day or two, and make the most of Too hard and it Some of the further away teams really look forward to Gutter’. goes right over the visiting Cowratheir timefor a catchingday or two, up withand makefriends the from most neighbouring of Too hard topand - tooit soft and it goes right over the their timeclubs. catching up with friends from neighbouring rolls back down. top - too soft and it clubs. President Helen Bryant welcomed all, and after a quick rolls back down.

morning tea while the draw was arranged, play began. ACA GC INTER-STATE SHIELD President Helen Bryant welcomed all, and after a quick The Cowra courts were in great order, thanks to our morning tea while the draw was arranged, play began. ACA GC INTER-STATE SHIELD Council, which proved to be quite a challenge to all The Cowra courts were in great order, thanks to our players as they were very fast. Hoops did not come easy Council, which proved to be quite a challenge to all as balls overshot the mark and more shots were needed players as they were very fast. Hoops did not come easy A player from to score the hoop. There were also a number of as balls overshot the mark and more shots were needed Young deciding on to score instancesthe hoop. when There the hoop were at onealso enda numberwas scored of from the A playerthe bestfrom tactic while hoop at the other end. A hoop in one! Teams were usingYoung decidingher on partner from instances when the hoop at one end was scored from the the best tactic while the full allotted time to complete their games, but all Molong (mauve hoop at the other end. A hoop in one! Teams were using her partner from enjoyed the challenge the courts provided. shirt) and two the full allotted time to complete their games, but all Molong (mauveopposition players shirt) and two enjoyed theMuch challenge fun was the had courts with provided. the novelty games, some proving from Hazelbrook opposition players look on more difficult than others, especially ‘Up the gutter’ andfrom Hazelbrook Much fun was had with the novelty games, some proving ‘Ping Pong’. The men were extremely competitive in look on more difficult than others, especially ‘Up the gutter’ and those. ‘Ping Pong’. The men were extremely competitive in those. When everyone gathered to enjoy the tasty titbits Chris Palazzi

Publicity Officer When everyoneprovided gatheredfor afternoon to enjoy tea bythe the tasty Cowra titbits Ladies, the Chris Palazzi provided winnersfor afternoon were announced tea by the and Cowra presented Ladies, with the prizes. It Publicity Officer was lovely to see the Molong Ladies enjoying the day. It winners were announced and presented with prizes. It was lovelywas to theirsee the first Molong visit to ourLadies club. enjoying the day. It On Tuesday 12 September, His Excellency General The THE EVENTS was their Thefirst winnersvisit to our of club.the Golf Croquet were Doug Leabeater, On TuesdayHonourable 12 September, David Hurley, His Excellency AC, DSC General(Ret’d), TheGovernor THE of EVENTS The ACA Mens and Womens Singles competitions and the New South Wales, Patron of Croquet NSW, accompanied The winnersFaye of Slater,the Golf (both Croquet from were Young) Doug Leabeater,and Jan Arndell Honourable David Hurley, AC, DSC (Ret’d), Governor of The ACA MensInterState and WomensShield were Singles held competitions in the Hunter and theRegion, and by Mrs Linda Hurley, watched the concluding stages of Faye Slater,(Hazelbrook). (both fromIn the Young)novelty games,and Jan ‘Dollies’ Arndell was won by New South Wales, Patron of Croquet NSW, accompanied InterStatewere Shield hosted were heldby Newcastle in the Hunter National Region, Park, and Maitland, the Croquet Australia Women’s Singles Finals at the (Hazelbrook).Sam InTaylor the novelty (Young), games, ‘Bagatelle’ ‘Dollies’ wasby wonDoug by Leabeater by Mrs Linda Hurley, watched the concluding stages of were hostedToronto, by EDSACC,Newcastle Branxton National and Park, Myall Maitland, Park (the latter Maitland Croquet Club. Following a luncheon break His Sam Taylor(Young), (Young), “Up ‘Bagatelle’the Gutter” by byDoug Gail Leabeater Seacardi (Blue the Croquet Australia Women’s Singles Finals at the Toronto, twoEDSACC, having Branxton been involved and Myall only aPark few (theweeks latter beforehand, Mountains), ‘Hoops’ by Bev Johnston (Blue Mountains) Maitland ExcellencyCroquet Club. presented Following a Maitland a luncheon Croquet break Club His Honorary as a result of the record level of entries). (Young), “Up the Gutter” by Gail Seacardi (Blue two having been involved only a few weeks beforehand, and ‘Ping Pong’ by Jim Cook (Blue Mountains) ExcellencyMembership presented a AwardMaitland to Croquet local governmentClub Honorary councillor, Mountains), ‘Hoops’ by Bev Johnston (Blue Mountains) as a resultThe of thetournaments record level appeared of entries). to run smoothly and few Henry Meskauskas, for his previous work in helping and ‘Ping Pong’ byThanks Jim Cook to (Blueeveryone Mountains) for a great day. Membership Award to local government councillor, complaints were heard, while the effort by the clubs that Henry Meskauskas,Maitland CC for get his established, previous afterwork whichin helping the Governor The tournaments appeared to run smoothly and few Thanks to everyone for a great day. and Mrs Hurley participated in some social croquet whichcomplaints went were into heard, the while preparations, the effort byand the clubsthe workthat of the Maitland CC get established, after which the Governor volunteers in ensuring efficient refereeing, timekeeping and Mrs Hurleywe believe participated they thoroughly in some enjoyed.social croquet which went into the preparations, and the work of the volunteersand in hospitality,ensuring efficient were highly refereeing, appreciated. timekeeping we believeIn theythe thoroughlyevening, enjoyed.the Governor and Mrs Hurley also and hospitality,Standard were iron highly hoops appreciated. were used, and this year they were attended the Croquet Australia Civic Reception for the In the evening, the Governor and Mrs Hurley also set at 3+11/16 (rather tighter than last year). This was a Interstate Shield teams, at the Newcastle City Hall.Standard iron hoops were used, and this year they were attended the Croquet Australia Civic Reception for the good move, and there seemed to be no difficulty with set at 3+11/16 (rather tighter than last year). This was a InterstateOn Shield Wednesday teams, 13th at theSeptember, Newcastle the CityGovernor Hall. and Mrs balls jamming. good move, and there seemed to be no difficulty with Hurley attended the opening matches at Newcastle On Wednesday 13th September, the Governor and Mrs balls jamming.There was a new approach to time limits in the ISS, in National Park, watching the four doubles matches before Hurley attended the opening matches at Newcastle which the first game (in best-of-two matches) had a 2 departing. Unfortunately they missed the full matchThere was a new approach to time limits in the ISS, in National Park, watching the four doubles matches before hour time limit, with unused time added to the second which saw a decisive win for NSW over Queensland.which the first game (in best-of-two matches) had a 2 departing. Unfortunately they missed the full match game. In addition, when a game was held up by 5 hour time limit, with unused time added to the second which sawWe a hopedecisive to see win more for ofNSW the over Governor Queensland. and his wife on minutes by the other game on the lawn, the former was game. In addition, when a game was held up by 5 Croquet Lawns across NSW in the future. enabled to overtake. These rules were consistently The white is set to make the hoop. We hope to see more of the Governor and his wife on minutes by the other game on the lawn, the former was Sam Taylor (Young) is hoping that he gave pink just the right amount Croquet Lawns across NSW in the future. enabled appliedto overtake. and appeared These torules work were very well.consistently There were very Theof momentum white is set toto putmake pink the between hoop. brown and white to spoil brown’s Photo: Governor David Hurley and Mrs Hurley with NSW and Qld few occasions when the second game of a match was Sam Taylor (Young) is hoping that he gave pink just the right amount Teams (courtesy Alex Verge)applied and appeared to work very well. There were very attack on white. unduly time-restricted. Contd p. 3 of momentum to put pink between brown and white to spoil brown’s Photo: Governor David Hurley and Mrs Hurley with NSW and Qld few occasions when the second game of a match was Teams (courtesy Alex Verge) attack on white. unduly time-restricted. Contd p. 3 Page 28 CNSW Newsletter December 2018

Page 28 CNSW Newsletter December 2018