Monday of last week saw the hoops repositioned to new grass, the surface is no longer an excuse for a failed shot.

May Ford celebrated the conditions with two hoops in one stroke. Betty Taylor enjoyed her first whitewash, a 7-0 win, but lost the next game 7-1. Cave Steiner was back, and played superbly in two big wins. Ken and Helyn Davison both had a strange day. They combined to lose heavily, 7-0 and then played well for two big wins each, but Ken still played for 75 minutes before his first hoop.

Thursday we welcomed Judy Keeler, a backyard croquet player. In her first game of real croquet she ran the first hoop. Phyl Harrison and Joy Campbell each had three wins and no losses. The shot of the day went to a very happy Narelle Wright. Two hoops from the one strike to finish off a game.

Wayne Gadke returned to Ricochet after a long absence and had wins against Gillian Martin and Rusty Case while Gillian recovered to beat Louise Lowe 14-10. There was bad news for Rusty and Louise that the Sawtell Ricochet tournament for which they were entered, has been cancelled, another COVID-19 casualty.

The next AC Championship matches saw Peter Deeth overcome Gillian Martin 20-14 and Sue Deeth gain a victory over Simon Cook 14-5. In another game Peter Martin had a ten hoop turn, but it did not save him against Simon Cook and Sue Deeth who won 19-18.

All the AC players had a most enjoyable day at Urunga together with Sawtell players. Friendships were renewed and for a while, in brilliant sunshine we forgot about the pandemic. While there Gillian Martin received top class coaching and subsequently crushed Peter Deeth and Peter Martin 17-5.

Members who have visited Victoria or Sydney recently are required to test for COVID-19 before coming to the club. Anyone who has enjoyed garden croquet during lockdown is invited to try the real thing. Please call ahead on 0438 999 204.

Peter Martin