By John Thomson
The spring croquet competition season has now kicked off once again.
As in previous seasons there is the Monday Level play competition, with a division 1 and division 2. The divisions are decided by each player’s handicap ranking, and then there is the Thursday Handicap competition. Again, this season Lilydale Croquet Club has a team in all three competitions, and on paper all three should do very well.
The season started on Monday 9 September. Lilydale’s division 1 team hosted Monash at Lilydale. Lilydale’s team consisted of Murray Howlett and Craig McCracken.
The first game was the doubles. This was an extremely hard fought affair with a lot of defensive play, neither team could take control of the game, so much so the game went for an hour and a half. After 12 hoops the scores were at six hoops a piece so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner.
Lilydale had the opportunity to run the hoop to win the game but unfortunately missed and Monash took their opportunity and ran the hoop to win the game. Monash 7 hoops Lilydale 6 hoops.
Murray Howlett played the first of the singles. This game was also close with both teams going hoop for hoop, but again Lilydale did not capitalise on their play which let Monash in to win the game. Monash 7 hoops Lilydale 5 hoops.
Craig McCracken played in the next singles game. Unfortunately, Craig just could not take a trick and everything he tried just did not come off and in contrast the Monash player was playing very well and took out the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 1 hoop.
At the lunch break the scores were Monash 3 games 21 hoops to Lilydale 0 games 12 hoops. With only two singles games to be played Monash had won the day so it was up to Lilydale to try and win the last two games.
Murray Howlett played in the first game after lunch. Murray must like playing in close games as this one ebbed and flowed during the game but again it was a couple of errors by Lilydale that let the Monash player in to take out the game. Monash 7 hoops Lilydale 5 hoops.
Craig McCracken played in the last singles. Craig had obviously regathered himself over the lunch break and turned his game completely around from his first singles and dominated his opponent and went on to win 7 hoops to Monash 1 hoop.
Final scores were Monash 4 games 29 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 24 hoops.
In Division 2, Lilydale travelled to Monash. The Lilydale team consisted of Alan Jones, Michael Crawley and Michael Gilsenan.
In the doubles Alan Jones and Michael Crawley teamed up. The Lilydale pairing got off to a good start and held their advantage throughout the game winning 7 hoops to Monash 2 hoops.
In the first of the singles Michael Gilsenan played. This game was very close all the way and after twelve hoops both players were on six hoops a piece so they had to play the thirteenth hoop to decide the winner. Lilydale set up well and was able to capitalise on this and ran the hoop to win the game 7 hoops to Monash 6 hoops.
In the second singles Michael Crawley was playing. Michael’s game has been improving a lot over the last year and it certainly showed in this game as he went on to have a comfortable win 7 hoops to Monash 2 hoops.
At lunch the scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Monash 0 games 10 hoops. Lilydale had the day won but there were still two more singles games to be played. Could Lilydale make it a clean sweep or would Monash hit back?
Alan Jones played in the first singles after lunch. This was another tight game going hoop for hoop and after 12 hoops both players were six hoops each. The thirteenth hoop had to be played to break the deadlock. There was a lot of defensive play at this hoop but in the end the Monash player took her chance and ran the hoop. Monash 7 hoops Lilydale 6 hoops.
In the last singles Lilydale’s Michael Gilsenan played. This game was also a close affair but the Monash player was able to run a couple of clutch hoops to take out the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Final scores Lilydale 3 games 32 hoops to Monash 2 games 24 hoops.
On Thursday 12 September the Handicap season started. The Lilydale team, which this week consisted of Murray Howlett, Kerri McCracken and Michael Crawley travelled to Monash.
In the first game Kerri McCracken played. Kerri was taking on a much more credentialed opponent but because of the handicap system had a 4 hoop start. The game was tight all the way through but the Monash player was able to take the lead and went on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
The next game was the first of the doubles with Murray Howlett and Michael Crawley teaming up for Lilydale.
Lilydale were starting 2 hoops behind and Monash 1 hoop in front. Lilydale got off to a good start and gradually pegged back their Monash opponents. Lilydale went on to win 7 hoops to Monash 3 hoops.
Michael Crawley played in the next singles with the Monash player having a 1 hoop start. Michael continued to show good steady form and went on to win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.
In the second of the doubles matches Murray Howlett and Kerri McCracken teamed up. Murray and Kerri were starting 1 hoop behind their Monash opponents. Lilydale started well and had soon made up that 1 hoop deficit and went on to win 7 hoops to Monash 4 hoops.
At the lunch break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 27 hoops to Monas 1 game 19 hoops. With 2 games to be played Lilydale still needed to win 1 more game to be assured of winning the day.
The first game after lunch was a singles game and Kerri McCracken was playing.
Kerri had a 2 hoop advantage and her opponent had a 1 hoop deficit. The Monash player started well and worked his way into the game and went on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
This win by Monash closed the gap considerably and the final result was going to come down to the last game, a doubles, which saw Murray Howlett and Michael Crawley pair up.
The Monash team had a 1 hoop start while the Lilydale team were starting 2 hoops in arrears. The game was close, but the Lilydale pair took their chances when they arose and were able to get on top and take the game 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops. This ensured Lilydale of a win on the day. Final scores Lilydale 4 games 38 hoops Monash 2 games 31 hoops
A good start to the spring season for the Lilydale team.
