THE 2024 Gloucester Masters Games were held over the weekend of Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November.

Three local sporting clubs participated in the weekend activities, being Hockey, Croquet and Lawn Bowls.

Players travelled from Lake Macquarie, Toronto, Maitland, Nelson Bay, Taree, Forster and Port Macquarie to join the Gloucester participants in the event.

Unfortunately, the planned Soccer matches were unable to be played following the last-minute withdrawal of two teams from the weekend’s program.

Prize money for each participating club was provided by Gloucester Sports Committee.

Croquet and Bowls matches took place on Saturday in Gloucester Park with the weather remaining sunny and warm for the day’s play.

Thirty players enjoyed round robin doubles on the Croquet courts, while twenty-eight players filled the green at the Bowling Club for the Over 60’s Mixed Fours.

Hockey matches were scheduled for Sunday with three mixed teams taking to the field. Teams from Maitland Nelson Bay and Gloucester braved the warm conditions for some very entertaining matches.

Players on both days were provided with lunch and ‘all day’ morning/afternoon treats as well.

Many thanks to those club members who organised each event, with special thanks to the volunteers who catered each day and to those who provided cakes and slices for their visitors.

Thanks also to Bobby Ashby who manned the barbecue for Sunday’s hockey matches.

Bowls – Teams played 3 games of 12 ends during the day. Members of the winning team were Kevin Burley, Ron Jones, Joan Ridgeway and Tony Tersteeg with the Runners-Up being Kevin Everett, Neville Atkins, Bev Germon and Jill Everett.

Croquet – Play took place in three blocks of doubles. Games were 45-minute timed, each team having four games. Winners and Runners-Up in each block were presented with prizes and medals.
Chris Sims from Gloucester Club and his partner from Forster were the winners of Group C.

Hockey – Joint winners were Maitland Rams and Gloucester Panthers with prize money for 1st and 2nd place being shared between the two teams.

Congratulations to Nelson Bay who took out third place.

It was a very successful weekend for the third Gloucester Masters Games with everyone ready to return again next year and more clubs keen to be involved!

By Lorraine FORBES