By Casey O'Connor
Another bout of inclement weather last week meant there was no Association Croquet in Stanthorpe last week.
The Golf Croquet group had more luck with the conditions.
There might not have been raindrops falling on their heads but there were freezing cold winds again.
It was not enough to deter six brave well rugged up players.
Pauline Inglis certainly could have chosen a great day to return after an extended absence.
Diane Wren (2), Shirley Evans (2), and Kathy Hopgood (6) played a close game Pauline Inglis (4), Bev Sullivan (3), and Kim Foster (2).
Inglis’ form belied the length of time she has had away from the game.
Foster got in some accurate long shots from the sidelines to help she and her playing partners to secure a win in the first round of the day.
Only four players stayed on after the warming morning tea supplied by Judy Lock and there was just one game played.
Wren and Hopgood went neck and a neck against Evans and Lock.
The game was eventually won by Wren and Hopgood in a playoff.
Friday was a rare sunny and warm day for the Gateball who welcomed back Joy Newman.
Newman was certainly refreshed and played well after her time away.
Les Williams, Jenny Tunbridge and Joy Newman played the white balls against Reds, (Sharyn Roser, Heather Widderick and Grace Howard) in the first two games.
Reds got off to a slow start and were unable to put their balls into play early in the game.
Number seven ball proved particularly difficult, and only got into play in the last three minutes of this game.
Once the Red team warmed up their play improved, with Reds able to put numerous white balls off the court.
Unfortunately, it was too little too late.
When the game got close to ending, Whites scored two Agaris and won 15-9.
In the second game Whites get away to a slow start it allowed Reds to score early and keep possession of the hoops, preventing Whites from putting some of their balls through hoops two and three.
Reds topped off their winning score on the last play of the game with an Agari to win 13-9.
In game three players swapped colours. Reds (Williams, Tunbridge and Newman) got off to a slow start again and once again ball seven was again being obstinate.
Reds trailed White by three points until the last play of the game.
Reds had three balls placed strategically around hoop three and managed to score all three balls and get the Agari to take a 14-11 in a what was a thrilling game.
