WA ventured to Norwood today for our match against Tasmania. We had blue skies before lunch before the weather turned a bit woolly. Adelaide is such a lovely place with expansive gardens and stunning homes.
Alan Sands was the star today winning both of his singles games. Joyce, Marty, Chris, Janine and Brett all scored a match win with only Marty and Joyce winning their doubles.
Full results on Croquetscores.
Some highlights from Janine’s game – hoop 12 and 13
The weather looked quite threatening for a while but after some early rain we were able to get through the day relatively dry. Once again, the courts at Hutt Road were terrific, especially when one considers the heavy workload and the recent soakings they have had to endure.
The volunteers have done a remarkable job at every venue and have made us all feel welcome. We very much appreciate their efforts.
Our first test was against Queensland and in all honesty, I was a little nervous as this was a new experience for me. No such nerves were shown by Judith, however, as she opened her account for WA with two impressive wins. in fact, every member of the team enjoyed success. Hats off to Alan who won all three of his matches.
Today we are at Norwood taking taking on Tasmanian. As Max would say, happy hooping.
We were greeted with beautiful conditions this morning.
and some lovely catering.
As this is my first croquet visit to South Australia, I thought it was a good opportunity to share some images of the venues I have had the opportunity to play at so far.
SACA Headquarters- Hutt Road
Three courts set in a lovely greenbelt close to the city amongst a myriad of different sporting spaces, dog parks and gardens.
Hyde Park Croquet Club
They have three croquet courts, tennis courts and two designated areas for playing pétanque.
Ill try and take a few more photos in the upcoming days as the Interstate Shield starts.
A great result today in the Gold Medal competition with Brett McHardy representing WA winning 7-4, 7-6. It was a close competition throughout with all players displaying great skill.
The lawn conditions were quite damp but the rain stayed away. Brett’s first game this morning was pegged down after the court was deemed to be unplayable.
No tournaments this weekend! SACRE BLEU!
I hope everyone enjoyed their quiet time.
The East Fremantle AC Championships were run during the week.
The Interstate events get underway in South Australia on Wednesday with Brett McHardy representing WA in the ACA Gold and Silver Medal event. We wish him all the best.
You can keep up to date with all the results on Croquetscores.
ACA Gold and Silver Medals Brett McHardy
Australia GC Women’s Singles Janine McHardy, Dianne Bower, Joan Doepel (Plate), Jennifer Brand, Maggie Cussell, Joyce Carbone, Judith Nicholls, Robyn Dart
Australia GC Men’s Singles Brett McHardy, Chris McWhirter, Gary Phipps, Alan Sands, Martin Clarke, John Doepel
Halls Head hosted a field of 6 for the AC Div 3 Singles on Monday and Tuesday. For the second year in a row, a member of Halls Head has now won this events and it was a terrific effort by David to go through undefeated.
Full results on Croquetscores.
In other Association news, a travelling troupe of gifted AC players ventured down to Moorabinda on Wednesday. The local players really appreciated Jeff, Alan, Tim, Sandra and Coral making the long trek down and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of playing them.
Fast courts, fine weather (albeit a cool breeze came in early) and good company ensured the quality of AC was of the highest order.
Match Committee is pleased to release an early look at the 2022-23 Calendar.
I first started looking at the new Calendar in March and so it has been a long journey to arrive at this destination. I would like to thank everyone for their input and support in putting this together. If anyone has a query or spots an error, please don’t hesitate to contact me. The Calendar will become official on October 1st.
Points of interest:
October 29-30 2022: Hyden is holding their first open tournament and what a response they have received. 72 nominations! I might have to get Marty to see if this is an all time record for a two day event held in WA.
March 4-6 2023: The Country Singles has been moved to the long weekend and will be co-hosted by Bunbury Central and Moorabinda
March 25-26 2023: Dunsborough is hosting a new Ricochet event.
April 22-23 2023: Mens and Ladies GC Open Singles is back to being a 2 day tournament due to ANZAC Day falling on the Tuesday.
May 6th 2023: Start of World Croquet Week
May 24-25 2023: Belmont to host WA’s first AC Alternate Stroke Doubles Competition
August 26-27: Belmont to host the GC State Mixed Doubles for the first time.
September 13-24 2023: WA will be hosting the ACA Golf Croquet Nationals.
September 30 October 1st: Belmont is hosting a 14 point weekend that includes the State Div3 14 point singles
Not listed on Calendar but essential to know:
October 11-13: Qualifying Tournament for WCF GC Over 50’s in Perth
October 14 -21 2023: Moorabinda is host to the WCF GC Over 50’s Worlds
Please note that changes may occur during the season for various reason.
Marty sent through these photos today from Kojonup.
As is the norm lately, it was another beautiful weekend for croquet highlighted by the annual State Team vs Barbarians event held at Cambridge.
GC Handicaps – Updated
These can be found on the GC Handicap page.
A message from Peter:
I should point out that these won’t include the York Country Doubles. This is a Selection Management decision which needs to be made each year in order to have a consistent measurement for the ‘Most Improved Player‘ calculation. In recent years this has been closed off following the Champion of Champions and so this has been continued this year. It may be that, if the YCD is always to be held one week after the C of C then we may want to consider moving the cut off, as many top/state players like to compete in this event.
FYI – I’ll be registering another 12 members for the new Pinjarra club. They’ll be playing in the Halls Head Spring Carnival.
Chief Handicapper – Pete Hamilton
Coaching News
Over the past few weeks Marty has been seen at Geraldton, Sorrento, Pinjarra and Beverley running coaching sessions. He hopes to conduct further sessions at Nedlands, Belmont and Gosnells when he returns from the nationals in Adelaide.
From Sorrento’s Facebook Page.
Our GC State Coach Marty Clarke conducting a Coaching Clinic for 17 of our croquet players, who found the afternoon was invaluable!
It was a very enjoyable afternoon where everyone learned so much! We are very grateful to Marty for giving us in time; and the benefit of his knowledge and experience with the game.
Sorrento Facebook page
WA Geraldton Allan Marsh HC Singles
Over the weekend a field of seven contested a handicap singles event in Geraldton.
State Team vs Barbarians
Cambridge once again hosted the annual GC State Team versus Barbarian contest over the weekend. The format was exactly the same as what the State Team will be faced with in the upcoming Interstate Shield being held in South Australia.
The team would very much like to thank the Cambridge Croquet Club for hosting this event and for covering the costs of the tournament dinner held on the final night of the competition.
It goes without saying that none of this is possible without the ongoing support that Croquetwest provide each year by actively securing funding from Sportswest and the Department of Sport and Recreation to support the growth of our great game throughout Western Australia.
Each year the Carlos Lehn Team of Beaucott Mt Lawley generously provides the team with their uniforms and I certainly can’t wait to experience the honour of wearing mine.
And finally, a big thank you goes out to the Barbarians who gave up their time to compete in what we consider to be one of the most important events on our calendar.
The State Team was lead superbly by Janine who only lost one game (including the doubles) over both days. Marcus, a late inclusion was the star for the Barbies winning 6 of his 8 singles games. A great effort indeed. Everyone tasted success and the standard of play was very high.
Unfortunately, my official photographer was slack and forgot to snap any photos until the very end. I’ve had to give him his limping orders.
Enjoying a well earned soft drink at the end of two days of solid play.
These two photos don’t actually match. Everyone is really listening intently to Ian Tarling!
Full results can be found on Croquetscores.
