Goulburn Valley Golf Croquet Pennant commences for 2024

The first four matches resulted in two games all, but Mooroopna had the edge by only two hoops.

Again the next four matches were a very even affair — two match points all.

Taryn Arho led the way for Mooroopna, winning both her singles matches. Denise Boldiston started well with a strong win over Kyabram's Brydon Ellis. However ex-Mooroopna lad Tom Haigh was too strong in both his two opening singles matches.

It was four doubles matches to go with both teams locked in on four games each, 43 hoops to Mooroopna and Ky 42 hoops.

What a match!

The doubles were going to settle the score for one team or the other.

Ky started well with a strong 7/3 win, Alan Londey and Thelma O'Keeffe throwing down the gauntlet and putting some pressure on Mooroopna.

Mooroopna's Loretta Gawne and Denise Boldiston stormed home over Brydon Ellis and Tom Haigh, 7 hoops to 3. Taryho and Loretta Gawne defeated Alan Londey and Brydon Ellis, 7 hoops to 4. The final game resulted in a Mooroopna victory, Mooroopna 7 games 67 hoops to Kyabram's 5 games 49 hoops. Great to see some new players stepping up to the plate for Kyabram.

Unfortunately the score sheet was incorrect for this match so games are invalid and the points shared; four each.

Reigning Premiers Euroa started this season strongly with a win over Numurkah Blue. Euroa amassed 8 games 72 hoops opposed to a very determined Numurkah with 4 games 49 games.

Numurkah's Graham Tyack played strongly, though the singles matches with Euroa's team were simply too strong, with Milner, Murray, Scales and Taylor sending a message to all the other teams: catch us if you can.

Deniliquin made the trip down the road to clash with the Rich River Emus. This promised to be the match of the day and guess what? That's what happened. The first block of four singles showed Rich River jump to a handy lead, 2 games and 4 hoops ahead of a very determined Deniliquin team. The next block of four singles was the reverse, with the end result showing Rich River 4 games 48 hoops opposed to Deniliquin's 4 games 46 hoops.

Four doubles matches remained and it was two games all; the final score shows Rich River Emus defeating Deniliquin 6 games 71 hoops... just one hoop.

Echuca Moama hosted the Euroa Wombats, a second side for Euroa this year; wow. It would have been a game person to predict a winner for this one. At the end of the singles matches Echuca scored 5 games 47 hoops to the Euroa Wombats’ 3 games 43 hoops. The Wombats powered home, winning three of the remaining matches and showing they also will be hard to beat. The final score was Euroa Wombats 6 games 67 hoops defeating Vince and the team from Echuca, 6 games 67 hoops.

Numurkah White was at home to Rich River Kangas, and yep, you guessed it; another close game endured. After the eight singles Numurkah scored 6 games 43 hoops opposed to the Kangas’ 4 games 47 hoops. I told you it would be close.

It all came down to the remaining four doubles games. Numurkah was up to the task, winning all four games. The end result was Numurkah White 8 games 71 hoops, Kangas 4 games 66 hoops.

Okay, the last game of the round was a sea of green and white as both Shepparton Clubs played each other.

I know I keep saying this but this was always going to be a close battle. The first eight singles saw the Kookaburras 4 games 42 hoops opposed to the Magpies 4 games 43 hoops. Four doubles matches to go with three games going to the Kookaburras. The end result was Kookaburras 7 games 67 hoops to the Magpies 5 games 63 hoops.

The standout player for this match was certainly Phil Betts, winning all four games.

So, you think croquet may not be exciting!

I suggest you come along and watch a game and you will change your view.