On the 29th and 30th June there was a very happy atmosphere at Southport Croquet Club because 8 Gateball Teams and 10 Gateball Doubles Teams were playing in the annual Mallet Sports on the Broadwater. Dodging the showers on the Saturday, all of the games were finished on time and we all stayed dry.

All team members at Southport

Teams Tournament

One player, Geoff Crook, flew up from Adelaide to participate. Such dedication! He played with the Southport Red Team. The local club also fielded 2 more teams-Southport White and Southport Stripes- while providing 2 players to the Mx ‘N Match Team. The other teams came from Broadbeach, Caloundra, Pine Rivers and Toowoomba. A very friendly atmosphere was experienced by everyone there and remarked upon by many of the participants.

There were a few games that were won on a countback and most games were closely contested with no huge difference in scores. By the end of Sunday morning, the teams representing Pine Rivers, Southport Red and Southport Stripes had each won 5 games. With a big number of ‘Net Hoops’, the winning team was Southport Red. The presentation was made by Mr. Hare, son of the Sponsor of Southport CC- Vision Michael Hare Eye Care and Optometrist.

It was good news for the team from Pine Rivers Croquet Club whose team made its first appearance at the MSOB Gateball Tournament. We hope to see them return next year even more competitive after they gain experience playing together.

In third place was the Southport Stripes team made up of mostly newer players to the game but who play other codes of croquet.

Doubles Tournament

There were ten pairs of gateball players who enjoyed a lovely afternoon playing in the Gateball Doubles Tournament. With two Block of 5 pairs, it was quite a busy time with playing a game followed by umpiring a game etc. Block A was won by Gaye Pitman playing with Lee Wentworth- both from Southport. Second place went to the Caloundra player Pat Burton and Sandra Reynolds from Toowoomba. Block B winners were Julia Tai and Ethan Chilton from Southport. In second place was Barrie Barnard from Broadbeach who partnered Peter Sweet from Southport.

In a very exciting Final, the dynamic mother and son combination of Julia and Ethan won on a countback against Gaye and Lee. Third place went to Peter and Barrie. A long standing Club Sponsor, Lesley Shepherd, Manager /Owner of Select World Travel and Cruises, made the presentations.

Written by Barbara Northcott
Gateball Australia

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