10/03/2010 - WP Association Tournament - Day 4 in Somerset West

True to Cape Town form, if we’re not dripping with sweat then we’re dripping from the various showers today. Again we had mixed results in the big open block, although Lionel seems to be the only one escaping losing a game yet – but there’s still time, so lots to play for there.

In the Open Doubles the Tibble/Town pairing have come away with the spoils unscathed. In the Class B event Chris Wakeham is doing well and Class C still open.
Restricted handicap singles sees Graham Saunders doing well and the Vets – wide open.

Tomorrow sees another full day – hopefully with a little less precipitation please.

Judith Hanekom(Manager).

09/03/2010 - WP Association Tournament - Day 2 & 3 in Somerset West

Wow, Sunday and Monday have been absolute scorchers and the players are starting to look a little “battle weary”. But this morning we have been fortunate enough to have the most perfect weather to play in – overcast and cool which will be of enormous relief to everybody.

The games have been going well, with the odd surprise wins and losses, but pretty much “according to plan”. Competitors like George Noble (UK) have had mixed fortunes winning two super games in the Open Singles, but then taking a loss or two in the Veterans Handicap event. The Open doubles have been quite entertaining and those we will finish today. The two pairs in the running being Mundy/Swaffield (UK) and Tibble/Town (UK) – I envisage a fierce battle between these two this morning – well worth being a spectator for this game I think.

The Class events having been going well, but as yet we can’t tell who our front runners are – still everything to play for.

Judith Hanekom(Manager).

06/03/2010 - WP Association Tournament - Day 1 in Somerset West

A Sunny and hot day in Somerset West with all 4 lawns full and (we hope) happy competitors!

Winners of the day: Paul Swaffield (UK), William Louw (SA), Dave Mundy (UK), Mike Town (UK) all going through to the semi-finals of the Open Handicap Singles being played tomorrow morning.

In the plate: George Noble (UK), Lionel Tibble (UK), and Silvia Dreyer (SA) together with Jonathan Toye (UK) and Christine Wakeham (SA) who are all still in the running. All in all a successful 1st Day.

Judith Hanekom(Manager).

13/01/2010 - Veterans Mallet 2010 Tournament...

The Veterans Mallet, contested at Somerset West Croquet Club, awarded by Prof Rex Davis, is designed to encourage players to develop versatility and competence in playing both Association and Golf Croquet and to provide sociable occasions in the best spirit of croquet.The tournament consists of twelve invited players, playing in pairs,competing at time limited Association Croquet and Golf Croquet.

Time limits:
- Association Croquet (14 pts) 85 minutes max. (Ends immediately time is called)
- Golf Croquet (19pts+) 35 minutes minimum.

In the event of the Association Croquet game being won before time expires the players immediately progress to Golf Croquet and play continues until final time is called whether or not a game won. All hoops so played in both disciplines will count towards a final score to determine the winners.

Photos: Rex Davis and Fred Turnbull winners of the trophy presented by Elizabeth Davis.(Right Photo)

30/01/2010 - WP "Open Door" Golf Croquet Tournament...

Held at Somerset West last weekend, the "Open Door" is an invitational for 0-2 handicappers.

From left to right:
Vernon Tomes, Ellis Langeveld (Chairman), William Louw, Anne Oxton, Grahame Tomes, Peter Johnson, Clare Stableford, Susan Crole, Peter Dreyer (Tournament Manager), Rex Davis and Joh Bouwer (caterer)

Click here for full results

30/01/2010 - WP "Stage Door" Golf Croquet Tournament...

The first Western Province Stage Door (the inspiration of Ken Wheeler who donated the trophy to be contested by 3-5 handicappers) was a great tournament, won on a 19-hoop play-off by Mariel de Bie (Left) who beat Judith Hanekom (Right) (10 - 9).

A great match to watch and could have gone either way. By coincidence the same two played the last scheduled match of the day against each other and again Mariel produced the goods to win 10 - 8.

Click here for full results

29/11/2009 - 3rd & Final update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

Sensational final yesterday, Alix vs Iman. Iman, playing yellow ball into the 13th hoop and Alix, from near the boundary did a miracle jump shot to win the match. I think the scores were 7-5, 3-7, 6-7, 7-5 and 7-6. (Best of five). The match lasted 6 hours, brilliant croquet and very exhausting to watch. Ann Quin won the plate, we played twice and each won one game, but she went through to the semi final.
By Thursday and Friday I was playing good croquet, but I was exhausted and stressed out after 6 games on Friday. Anne also found it very tiring, plus a husband to look after. (No activities arranged for partners). For events of this nature, I think it is essential that enters warm up competitions beforehand.

The organisation, catering, transport has been brilliant all week. The standard of croquet, particularly the Australians, has been very high.
There are two young New Zealanders, Laura, (aged 15), who was the runner up in the plate and protege of Jenny Clark, and Ashley Cook (daughter of Dallas Cooke and grand daughter of Phyllis Young, who were both in the event), who are going to win in the future. Shadien, one of the Egyptians, who was new to the event, also showed promise. She lost to Jenny Clarke in the play off for 3rd and 4th.

It is now 7.30 am in Melbourne. Anne and Peter are taking two one-day tours, whilst I am going to visit a friend in Kilsyth. We meet again at the airport when we fly to Tasmania.
It is raining in Melbourne and apparently raining in Tasmania. We hope to see the sun before we return to SA.

Clare Stableford in Australia.

26/11/2009 - 2nd Update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

Wednesday was the final day of the block section (the Egyptians regard blocks as practice rounds) Anne and I did not win our final games and went into the plate. Anne has withdrawn from the plate as she has been having shoulder problems. But I have carried on and won 4 games, which is being played as a Swiss event.
Tomorrow, as I have moved up the ladder, will be playing stronger opponents. Carol was beaten by an Australia in the round of 32 and has also withdrawn from the plate.  (She has transport difficulties from town.

Today was quarter final day,5 Egyptians, 2 Australians and 1kiwi, Jenny Clark. One game in the round of 32 between Sarah Riad and Abir Moustafa lasted 6 hours, with a break of 1/2 hour for thunder and lightening.
I suggested to Owen Edwards, chief referee, that perhaps they should change referees, as it is a long time to be on ones feet! I had to leave before the games were finished, as the bus was leaving for Ashley Gardes, but Jenny Clarke was leading against Marwa, the losing finalist.

Clare Stableford in Australia.

22/11/2009 - 1st Update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

Quick update on croquet from Melbourne on a very wet Sunday.
We arrived on Thursday in searing hot and by Friday afteroon it started to rain. Luckily the rain held off for the opening ceremony, but poured today and I had to play in bare feet and no glasses - my shoes and clothing were soakig.
Anne and I both lost our two games today, but they were close. Carol won her match and then had a bye.

The Victorian croquet centre at Cairnlea is brilliant, with excellent faciities. 12 croquet lawns, huge, well-equipped club house. We were very envious! There are 54 players, including 12 Egyptians, who had a 4 week training camp before they flew to Melbourne. The opening ceremony was very colourful, with a multi cultural choir and a speech from the Governor of Victoria. Afterwards we had a really good braai. The catering is excellent and so is the organisation and lots of helpful volunteers.

Today Anne and I played well and won our matches and we had a bye in the afternoon. Carol has won all of her 4 matches and has definitely gone through to the kock out section. The standard of play is very high and certainly the Australian golf croquet is flourishing and the standard of play has increased dramatically in the last 3 years. The Egyptians are good, but beatable. The lawns are in excellent condition, but slower than Kelvin, but thats no excuse for poor positioning play!

We are staying at Ashley Gardens and I am fortunate in that I am in the same section as Christine Pont, Director of Australian croquet, who is also staying at AG and gives me a lift in the morning. Anne is in a different block and different shift and has to take the shuttle service. We have been into Melbourne on the 220 bus from AG, which took 40 minutes.

It is a great tournament and hope we are now on the winning track. One more round in the block tomorrow, then it is the knock out section and the plate.

Clare Stableford in Australia.
(Image: Carole Jackson, Anne Oxton and Clare Stableford)

30/10/2009 - SA Golf Croquet Nationals - Full resuts.

    

Click here to see the full results.

27/10/2009 - SA Golf Croquet Nationals - Day 2 Update.

    

Results of Doubles Blocks DAY 2.
These winners will play in the Finals on Friday 30th October

Handicap Doubles:
John Hedding & Victor Dladla
Vernon Tomes and Peter Johnson

Derrick and Greta Snaith
Mike Corcoran and Peter Masekane

Open Doubles:
Mike Corcoran and Peter Masekane
David Hopkins and Carole Jackson

Anne Oxton and Clare Stableford
John Hedding and Victor Dladla

Images(T - B): Victor Dladla Opening Shot; John Hedding, Victor Dladla (2008 Champion) & Peter Johnson; Mike Corcoran.

18/10/2009 - WCF 2009 Ladies Golf Croquet Championship in Australia.

Anne Oxton and Clare Stableford
Two of three entrants to WCF 2009 Ladies Golf Croquet Championship in Australia in November.

Click here for the official webpage of the Championships.

10/10/2009 - Irish Croquet - Somerset West

Another highly enjoyable day washed down with Guiness and Champagne around a potjie of Irish Stew. This event was placed on the Western Province calendar this season and Somerset West extended an invitation to other clubs to experience the different aspects of this game and then to introduce it to their respective clubs.

We had 2 visitors from Kelvin Grove and 2 from Fish Hoek. John Cammell and Jean Gruner quickly grasped the rules and pressed through to win the Plate event.
Mariel de Bie and Marilyn Pentz also swung through excitedly and played in the semi-finals.

There was a very close finish in the finals culminating in a shoot out - William Louw and Fred Turnbull versus Vernon and Grahame Tomes.
Vernon won carefully calculated the wind gusting across the courts and used it to drive his ball close enough to the centre pole for the Tomes team to come out victors.

Images(L - R): ?; ?; Marilyn and Mariel came through from Kelvin Grove; ?.

 

22/09/2009 - Croquet fun at Somerset College Preparatory

The last week of the third term was very exciting. CLUBS time! And for the first time, croquet was introduced to our learners. Some of our keenest sport enthusiasts came to try their hand at this genteel, yet very competitive sport. They loved it!

The Somerset West Croquet Club kindly lent us their equipment for two days and Susan and Martina Crole, and Fred Turnbull came to the school to coach the children. Susan organised a tournament on Day 2 and the children enjoyed the challenge enormously!

Croquet is being introduced as an alternative sport for the first time this term. Thirty six Grade 6 and 7 pupils have signed up to play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Somerset West Croquet Club has offered to lend us equipment until ours arrives, and also assist with some coaching.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Somerset College and our sincere thanks go to Susan Crole, who is so enthusiastic about establishing a Junior Croquet League in the Helderberg region.

Dianne de Villiers
Librarian
Somerset College Preparatory School

      

21/09/2009 - SACA's new WCF Golf Croquet Rules and Regulations booklet

SACA has now published and edited it's own pocket-sized booklet of the WCF Golf Croquet Rules and Regulations for Golf Croquet Tournaments. These will be available from individual clubs as from October 2009 at R25 each.