Barry club members do well on the road

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Barry Memorial Croquet Club members enjoyed considerable success at tournaments at Heretaunga in Havelock North and Claudelands in Hamilton.

At Heretaunga, John Wilson and Rob Hayes played great doubles croquet, winning five games and losing only one in their section.

Usually that would be good enough for a playoff in the final. Instead, the organisers decided that the results of only the last three games would determine placings. As Wilson and Hayes lost one of their last three games, they failed to qualify.

Wilson won four of his seven games in the handicap singles. Against the section winner, he lost a close game 7-6.

Hayes did better in his section, winning five of his six games in the open singles and winning the section. This resulted in his handicap dropping to 4.

At Claudelands, husband and wife Dave and Chris Newton played in Section 3 of the level singles. Dave won four out of five games, his only loss being to his wife Chris.

Dave was section winner on differential, and Chris, who also won four out of five games, was placed third on differential.

The following day, the Newtons again played well, winning four out of five games in the handicap doubles.

They were second to another pair who had also won four out of five of their games but had a slightly better differential. The winners’ only loss had been to the Newtons, 7-4.

As a result of these performances, Dave’s handicap dropped to 5 and Chris’s dropped to 6.

Hayes was disappointed with his play in his section of the open singles. He won two of his five games.

On Saturday and Sunday from 1pm, the Barry Memorial Croquet Club in Aberdeen Road will hold “have-a-go” afternoons, when people will be invited to try the game. Basic tuition will be given and games arranged. All equipment will be provided.