Singles tourney for new players a great success

FINALISTS: Francis Yates (left) and Murray Woods at the Barry Memorial Croquet Club, where they contested the final of a singles golf croquet tournament for new members and corporate challenge players. Yates won the game 9-6.Picture by Ross Thomson

CROQUET

FRANCIS Yates won a singles golf croquet tournament that Barry Memorial Croquet Club held for new members and corporate challenge players.

Yates beat Murray Woods 9-6 in the final of a keenly contested tournament.

Twelve players — all new to the game — were split into two blocks.

In the first round, Yates, Peter Richardson and Woods were convincing winners, while Glenys Ebbett sneaked past John MacDougall 7-6.

In the second round, Tony Nicholson came into his own, disposing of MacDougall 9-4, and Robyn Chaffey played great croquet to defeat Mary Dixon 9-6.

In the third round, Henare Grant beat Karen Hollamby 8-5, Richardson beat Woods 5-4 in a nail-biter, and Dixon upset Yates 9-8.

A pattern began to take shape in the fourth round, with dominant wins to Yates, Woods, Nicholson and Hollamby.

By the fifth and final pool round, play was intense and exciting.

Lara Grant executed some difficult shots to beat Glenys Ebbett 8-7, while George Ebbett beat Dixon 9-8.

Winner of Block 1 was Woods, on countback from Richardson, both having had four wins. Clear winner of Block 2 was Yates with four wins.

The final between Yates and Woods was torrid, with both playing some great long shots and then missing some simple shots.

Woods made a couple of tactical errors, which gave Yates relatively easy hoops and ultimately that was the difference, Yates winning 9-6.

Playing off for third and fourth, Richardson — who increased in confidence throughout the day and played a thinking game — proved too strong for Chaffey, winning 9-3.

This kind of tournament was a first for the club and was a great success. Several players, including Yates and Woods, joined the club following the tournament. Many of the players said it was a fun outdoor sport involving the skills of ball sports, the tactics of chess and the angles of snooker.

Some of the more seasoned player spectators looked on anxiously as they watched the future talent of the club on display.

One was heard to say, “If they improve that much over a day, what are they going to be like in a year.”

People wanting to try the game are welcome at the club in Aberdeen Road on Friday and Sunday afternoon club days from 1pm.