Cornwall Croquet Club

 CORNWALL CROQUET CLUB NOVICE COMPETITION & NEW MEMBERS DAY REPORT
 
Association Novices’ Competition
 
On a perfect day, six players new to the Association Croquet game, and fresh from a short course to teach them the rudiments, assembled at the Cornwall Croquet Club. Only one of them had played a proper game before, so, with some trepidation, they embarked on a tournament in which each played three games. There was more than some relief when they were told that each game would have a mentor to advise and guide them in the noble arts of four-ball breaks and other mysteries of the game. Even though some of the guidance was taking their balls away from the hoops they required to run, which seemed to be all wrong, they eventually got to it and had set up the balls to run the next hoop as well. Even though the hoop running was not always successful, the tactics began to become more understandable as the tournament progressed, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed the day. There were many close matches throughout the day, including the match between Marjorie Stewart and Russell Moore, during the final session. This match would decide the winner and see-sawed throughout the 11/2 hours. With her final shot of her game, and with the scores tied, Marjorie’s ball stuck in the hoop. Russell had a ball in a similar position at another hoop, and with his final turn was able to snatch the match by 7 hoops to 6. An exciting end to a very successful day.
 
New Members' Day
 
Ten of the fourteen members, who have joined the Cornwall Croquet Club during the season, played in a tournament of Golf Croquet singles at the Porthpean club. The members were arranged in two blocks of five, so that each played four 45-minute, best-of-thirteen-hoop games. There was then a final between the winners of each block. The two block winners did not emerge until the last series of games, such was the competition between the members, but eventually the final was between Christine Clarke and John Perry, who had each won their blocks by just half a point. The final was closely fought, with neither giving anything away. Such was the competition that they had reached only the eighth hoop, at four each, when time was declared. They each then had four extension shots to score the ninth hoop or go to a golden hoop. Christine put two balls close to the hoop and John put one there also. Christine elected to knock John’s ball away, leaving an easy shot to the hoop, and the game, with her second ball. John had other ideas, and with an inspired shot from the corner ran the hoop. This left Christine with one shot at hoop 10, 21 yards away, to tie the scores and to fight on for a golden hoop. Although the ball was directed on course for the hoop, it stopped about a yard short, leaving John the winner. The trophy was presented by Ron George, club chairman and tournament manager.
Attached 4 photos:-
1, CCC Association Novices. L to R, Berl Moore, Lesley Stewart, Marjorie Stewart, Russell Moore, Tony Swam, Pat Hack.

2, Russell Moore Association Novice Winner.

3, New Members. L to R:- Tony Swan, Maggie Dawson, Annie Le Fevre, John Perry, Christine Clark, Gill Shaw, Carol Gardner, Brain Jepson.

4, John Perry New Members Day winner.

 
Photos by Ron George.