Croquet: Tsung-te comeback competition highlight

Cheng Tsung-te playing for Northland in the 0-3 grade.

Playing conditions matched the level of competition when Northland Croquet hosted the Upper North Island Teams event over Anniversary Weekend.

Teams of four arrived from Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Thames Valley and Waikato-King Country with a team from Northland completing the mix.

Sixty games had to be fitted into two days play of Association Croquet. Although seven large lawns were available double banking - two games on one green at the same time - was needed at both Whangarei and Kensington Clubs.

The Bay of Plenty was the overall winner with 14 wins, with Waikato-King Country second with 12 wins with some extremely good croquet played.

This year's age range this year was a lot wider with 12-year-old Bay of Plenty player Jesse Foster competing. Incredibly, Foster won all five of his games helping his team to victory.

Croquet is targeted at the younger generation who absorb tactics with great enthusiasm.

For the Whangarei team, their player Cheng Tsung-te provided perhaps the best moment with a great comeback.

Tsung-te was on the verge of losing, taking just seven hoops against his opponent Simon Dell's one short of a win on 25. Dell then pegged out one ball and Tsung-te took the opportunity to get back into the game winning 26-25.

Whilst Association Croquet was being played in Northland a team of eight and a manager travelled to Tauranga for the equivalent golf croquet weekend-long event.

In other news, the next 'Have a Go' day is at Whangarei Croquet Club on Sunday, February 15.

Meanwhile the Silver Badge competitions will be held at the end of February and there are several club tournaments coming up.

*For information phone club captain Verna on 09 437 2826.