ON Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March, four pairs from Nelson Bay Croquet Club played in the Maitland Sweet Pea, a Golf Croquet competition played as 13-point games with a 50-minute time limit on each game.
Twenty-four pairs entered and were divided into four blocks of six pairs (lowest handicap pairs in Block A with highest handicap pairs in Block D), each playing a round robin of level play followed by a round robin of handicap play.
In Block A, Liz Friend and Rob Batho (Nelson Bay) finished first with five wins, equal with Michael and Lee Morphett (Newcastle NP) and Alastair Torrance & Sandra Guider (Newcastle NP) but declared winners on hoop difference (+5 to +4).
In Block B, Paul Coomer & Pauline Sellers (Newcastle NP), Faby Batho and Sherry Gordon (Nelson Bay) and Greg Long and David Smith (Nelson Bay) all finished level with 6 wins but were declared 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively based on hoop difference (+5, +3 and +2 respectively).
Karen Lilly and Rae Upton (Nelson Bay) also played but had to withdraw on the 2nd day due to illness.
On Sunday 15 March, the 2026 State Pennants commenced for the Club with Division 3 Birubi hosting Pelican Croquet Club at Nelson Bay.
Birubi recorded a 2-1 victory with wins to Geoff Yonge 7-1 7-3 and to Gail Brabant 7-6 7-5; Iris Maartensz & Nada Yonge lost a close fought contest 2-7 7-5 3-7.
By David WILSON
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
