THE first Nelson Bay Croquet Club major championship of 2023, the Thompson Trophy Golf Croquet Novice Grade for players with handicap fourteen or greater and no competition win, was played on Sunday 16 April 2023.

Ten members entered: Bev Apps, Faby Batho, Chris Bult, Marion Graff, Anne Jensen, Jan Marshall, Kath Orton, Jeff Pettifer, Vivianne Pitt and Rosemary Taylor.

The players were split into two blocks of five players with all players playing four games in a round-robin first round – the winner of each block playing a final.

The games were level play, 13-point games with a 50-minute time limit.

Play started in light rain but this soon cleared to perfect conditions for croquet.

Despite the “novice” status of the players, the standard of play was exemplary and many of the games were closely contested.

All players managed at least one win.

In Block A, both Faby Batho and Jeff Pettifer won three games each, with Jeff topping the block on hoop count-back (+3 to +2).

In Block B, Jan Marshall won all four games to finish top with Rosemary Taylor a close second with three wins.

The final was a tight affair with Jeff hanging on to win 4-3 over Jan.

For further information about the Club, visit nelsonbaycroquet.org.au or email nelsonbaycroquet@gmail.com.

By David WILSON