By John Thomson
On Monday 14 the Lilydale Croquet Club’s Division 1 team made the journey to the Sandringham Croquet Club. Sandringham’s courts are in a very picturesque setting overlooking Port Phillip Bay.
Craig McCracken and Murray Howlett played this week.
Lilydale won the toss and hit off first in the doubles. The game was close all the way through with neither side able to establish a lead, after the 12th hoop had been played the scores were 6 hoops each with the 13th hoop to be played to decide the winner. Both sides set up well and it was Lilydale who were able to take their opportunity and run the hoop to win the game, 7 hoops to Sandringham 6 hoops.
Murray played in the first singles game. This game was also very close with both players trading hoops and after the 12th hoop the scores were 6 hoops each with the 13th and deciding hoop to be played. Again, both players set up well but this time it was the Sandringham player that was able to run the hoop to win the game, 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
Craig played in the next singles game. Unfortunately, Craig got off to a slow start by missing some hoops that he would normally have run. By the time Craig got going the Sandringham player had built up a lead and won 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
The scores at the break were Sandringham 2 games 20 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 17 hoops. With two games to play Lilydale could still win.
Craig played in the next singles game. Craig was slow out of the blocks in this game as well, with the Sandringham player building quite a big lead to go on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 1 hoop.
Murray played in the last game. Murray got off to a good start and was determined not to let this one slip and was in control for most of the game winning 7 hoops to Sandringham 2 hoops.
The final scores for the day were Sandringham 3 games 29 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 25 hoops.
This loss drops Lilydale to fourth spot on the ladder and with only three weeks left in the season Lilydale has to not only win their games but also rely on other results going their way to get back up the ladder again.
The Lilydale Division 2 side played at home this week against the Kew Croquet Club.
This week’s Lilydale team as always was Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Mick Crawley.
Alan and Kerri played in the doubles. The experience of Alan and Kerri showed in this game as they were able to control the game from the start and were able to have a comfortable 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops win.
Mick played in the first singles. Again, Mick’s experience playing in competitions was the reason he was able to build a lead and go onto win 7 hoops to Kew 4 hoops.
Alan played in the next singles game. This game was a carbon copy of the first two games with Alan being able to control the game and go on to have a comfortable 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops win.
At the break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Kew 0 games 10 hoops. With 2 games to play Lilydale had already won the day.
In the first game after the break, it was Kerri who played. This was a much closer game with both players not giving their opponent a break. After the 12th hoop the scores were 6 hoops a piece. The Kew player was first to the 13th hoop and set up beautifully and from there was able to run the hoop and win the game. Kew 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
Mick played in the last singles game. Mick took up from where he left off in his last game and was able to control the game to win 7 hoops to Kew 4 hoops.
The final scores Lilydale 4 games 34 hoops to Kew 1 game 21 hoops.
This win keeps Lilydale on top of the ladder with three weeks to play.
There are no level play games next week due to Easter Monday holiday.
Due to the Easter weekend there are no handicap games this week.
