Sports

Coutts Crossing’s Simon Cook in State croquet finals

Simon Cook has won his way to the State final of AC handicaps to be held in Sydney in June. At the Northern Region qualifier in Urunga he finished with a life-time best turn of 12 hoops. Peter Deeth and Peter Martin came joint third beating out experienced competition. Peter Deeth is a reserve for the finals. Coutts Crossing’s strong showing is putting the club on the croquet map.

Back home, the three played a new version involving three players playing two matches simultaneously. In 90 minutes they ran 46 hoops. All had 5 or 6 hoop turns, Simon starting with a 12 and Peter Martin finishing with an 11.

The new Clarence Valley GC Pennants competition got off to a splendid start when Lawrence visited Coutts Crossing. The sun shone, the company was wonderful, new friendships made and old ties cemented. With our lawns looking excellent and fast Wayne Gadke and Joy Cambell got off to a 7-3, 7-1 win in the top match. Yvonne Gillett and Ken Davison strode to a 7-2, 7-4 win. The third match was very close. Lawrence won the first game 7-4 and led 5-2 in the second before Coutts fought back and were lucky to win 7-6. Coutts’ Pam Jordan and Helyn Davison won the decider to end up 4-7, 7-6, 7-4. It ended 3-0 in matches with the hoop count 46-27. There was time for lots of social play after the match. Bob Hadley starred with a jump shot and May Ford ended her day with a hoop to hoop.

The first games in May saw the return of Royce and Marilyn Wilson, but with little success. Ann Williams and Yvonne Gillett had identical 3 and 1 records, with nobody winning all their games. There was a spate of hoop to hoop shots. As the lawns become smoother and faster they become easier. Celebrating ‘hoopers’ were Cave Steiner, Yvonne Gillett, Ann Williams, May Ford and Ann Williams again.

The Ricochet players had to dodge the showers. Gillian Martin had a 9-8 golden hoop win over Debbie McIntosh. Rusty Case had a mixed day: an 11-4 win followed by a 12-7 loss.

Peter Martin