Wilkinson impresses in Auckland

Two croquet teams from Northland played in the Upper North Island Teams Event over the long weekend, where teams from six croquet districts took part.

The Northlanders only had to travel as far as Auckland, where they played on Epsom/Remuera's pristine lawns.

Cheng Tsung-Te won two games, Gail Duncan and Mike Midgely won one, but Helen Wilkinson had four wins from five games to place first in B grade. She did so well she reduced her handicap to nine to reach intermediate level. Counties-Manukau won the overall competition.

The golf croquet contingent had to travel to Hamilton, where they each played 10 games of singles and five of doubles over two-and-a-half days.

This was quite daunting, especially as there was no time limit. Games ended when one player (or side) achieved seven points. Auckland were the overall winners in golf croquet.

Kensington Club held a very good tournament last week with excellent entries in both codes. Everyone was on small lawns, with association players having to double bank. This always leads to different tactics in an effort to avoid getting in the way of the balls in the other games. Luckily, the two sets of balls are different colours.

Winners were Rogan Williscroft, Tangi Kirman and Eric Manning, all from the Whangarei club.

The golf croquet winners were decided by way of a lucky dip, and prizes went to Tom Wilkinson and Merv Burton (Kensington) and Roz Banbury (Waipu).