Golf Croquet Round 8
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This week we look first into the golf croquet matches as the teams tussle for that elusive finals position.
With only one round to go we have three teams on five and the Rams still on top with six wins.
Mooroopna is one game out of the finals race ... but with one game yet to play.
So here is how it all unfolded this week.
Shepparton Magpies played host to the rampaging Rich River Kangas. The Magpies have been improving each week and this one was always going to be a close battle.
The Kangas came out swinging, winning three of the first four singles matches.
The second block of singles was very even. Scoreline at the conclusion of the singles showed Kangas 5/46 opposed to the Magpies 3/45.
Magpies Wyman and McKinnis showed their fighting qualities with a win over the strong pairing of Maher and Retallick 7/3.
Keillor and Brierley steadied the match for Kangas with a 7/2 victory.
Scoreline was now Kangas 6/56 opposed to the Magpies 4/54 with two games to go.
Wyman and Gleeson had a huge battle with the Kangas Maher and Keillor — Magpies winning 7/5.
I did say this was going to be a close battle.
So here we are — out of the green corner representing the Magpies came McKinnis and Humphries. The blue corner had the ever reliable experienced pair of Brierley and Retallick. The final score for this deciding game went the way of the Magpies, 7/6.
It just does not get any closer than this.
Final score showed Magpies 6/68 opposed to the valiant Kangas 6/67.
Shepparton Kookaburras headed over the border to do battle with the Deniliquin team. Both teams looked set to play in the finals so we looked forward to a pretty even match.
Shepparton were certainly tuned up and ready to go. Shepparton won six of the eight singles matches. Deniliquin player Gary Brose was up for the battle; he won both of his singles.
While Deniliquin battled hard, the Kookaburras were focused on a finals place in two weeks’ time.
At the conclusion of the singles, Shepparton Kookaburras were leading 6/44 to 2/44. Most of the games were close, as indicated by the hoops tally.
The four doubles were all close affairs; however, Deniliquin just could not pull back the deficit.
Final scoreline: Shepparton Kookaburras 8/68 defeating Deniliquin 4/66.
Euroa Rams played host to the Kyabram Wrens. The Wrens needed to win this one to stay in touch in the race for the final four.
The first block of four singles were even — two games each. Then bang! The Rams hit hard, winning all four of the second block.
Scoreline at the end of the singles showed Rams 6/50 opposed to the Wrens 2/37.
The doubles were dominated by the Rams, winning three of those games. Alan Londey and Shane Russell finished it off on a positive note winning the final doubles 7/4 for the Wrens.
The Wrens battled hard but were just not quite good enough to topple the ladder leaders.
Final score was Rams 9/75 to Wrens 3/60.
Mooroopna played host to Numurkah. Mooroopna had to win to keep alive its slim hopes of playing in this year's finals. Numurkah had not won many games, but when you play Numurkah in any sport you know you are in for a battle.
The first block of singles was even — two games each.
The second block of four was all won by Mooroopna. The matches were close affairs, with Taryn Arho showing the way for Mooroopna.
The doubles matches were also two games each.
Final scoreline was Mooroopna 8/69 to a valiant Numurkah 4/65. A superb day enjoyed by all.
Association Croquet
Rich River Blue travelled to Shepparton — game on. The Blues stamped their authority on the game in the first two doubles matches, winning both.
Blue’s Littman and James played beautifully to defeat the Shepparton pair of Organ and Vale 15/13. The remaining doubles was a real battle, with Grant and Brierley getting home against Sheppartons Vale and Milner 7/6.
Now for the singles — here comes Shepparton.
Kerri-Ann Organ defeated Blue’s John James 26/5.
Trish Pedrotti kept chalking up the wins, defeating Blue’s Ian Grant 14/4.
Blue’s Fred Littman was next up to do battle with Shepparton’s Gayle Vale. Littman won in a narrow one 9/7.
One game to go and the Blues were one game up.
Kevin Milner clinched the win for the Shepparton team. Milner got home 16/3 against the ever-improving Greg Brierley.
Great game all round.
Final scoreline was Shepparton 3/82 opposed to RR Blue 3/43.
The two top AC teams came together at Quarry Hill — Rich River White opposed to the Quarry Hill combination.
The White team scored the first victory 18/17. The Whites’ Boal and Norwood defeated QH Lois Kirk and Brian Wallin.
The remaining doubles was also a close affair. The Whites won 13/10. The Whites’ Ryant and Rice just getting home against Quarry Hill’s Eiffert and Gourlay.
Doubles are now done and dusted — four singles remaining.
Wins to Boal and King sealed the deal for Rich River White.
Quarry Hill’s Chris Eiffert and Helen Gourlay pulled two back, winning 26/12 and 15/10 respectively.
So in closing can I just say how magnificent this game is and excitement is at an absolute high with high-quality matches.
So if you want to be part of ‘the buzz’, come to a croquet court in your area and see what we are enjoying.
Happy hooping.