Drouin respond from loss
Coming off a loss to Warragul the previous week, the Drouin Croquet Club played at home against Phillip Island.
Still conditions prevailed and with several players not available, Allan Leesing stepped into fourth position on the day.
Drouin got off to a great start, winning five of the eight singles games and leading by 12 hoops, 49-37.
Michael Fry of Drouin reduced his handicap to eight after his first singles match, while Lilly Eichstadt of Phillip Island went out to 10 at the close of the doubles.
Allan Leesing led the way for Drouin with four wins (+11), followed by Nanette Fry (+3), Kathleen Willems (+7) and Michael Fry (+5) each with three wins. Results: Singles round 1: Nannette Fry (handicap eight) d Pat Willsmore (four) 7-3, Kathleen Willems (eight) d Mike Bailey (eight) 7-3, Michael Fry (nine) d Lilly Eichstadt (nine) 7-3, Allan Leesing (10) lost to Jenni Wills (11) 4-7.
Singles round 2: M Fry lost to J Wills 4-7, A Leesing d L Eichastadt 7-3, K Willems d P Willsmore 7-4, M Fry lost to M Bailey 5-7.
Doubles round 1: N Fry/K Willems lost to P Willsmore/M Bailey 3-7, M Fry/A Leesing d L Eichstadt/J Wills 7-5.
Doubles round 2: K Willems/A Leesing d M Bailey/J Wills 7-1, N Fry.M Fry d P Willsmore/L Eichstadt 7-3.
Doubles round 3: N Fry/A Leesing d P Willsmore. J Wills 7-6, K Willems/M Fry lost to M Bailey/L Eichstadt 5-7.
Final result: Drouin nine wins, 88 hoops defeated Phillip Island five wins, 66 hoops. Drouin have the bye today. Next week Drouin will travel to Morwell.
Association croquet
Drouin played at home against Sale on Thursday.
It was a first game of Association croquet this pennant calendar for Nannette Fry when she stepped in to replace Jenny Leesing, who was overcome with ‘the winter time bug’.
Sale were represented by Len Clissold on a handicap of 11 and Barbara Castles with a handicap of nine.
Drouin’s Allan Leesing was matched against Barbara Castles in the first singles match and won by two hoops, 19-17.
After some years since playing the Association game at pennant level, Nannette Fry (handicap 20) acquitted herself well, going down to Len Clissold with a commendable score of 11-15.
With games one apiece and Sale with a lead of only two hoops, it was anyone’s game in the doubles.
At the end of time after some two-and-ahalf hours, Drouin were elated to have won the final game 11-8, thus taking the points by a solitary hoop.
The next match for Drouin will conclude the half way mark of the pennant season. They will play Bairnsdale on neutral ground at Morwell.
Croquet birthday
Drouin Croquet Club will celebrate its 115th birthday with a come and try day to be held during Seniors week.
Members of the local community are welcome to the attend the event on Saturday, October 13 and have a swing of a croquet ball.
There will be two sessions, with a morning session commencing at 10am to be followed by a free sausage sizzle. The afternoon session will be held between 1pm and 3pm and is followed by afternoon tea.
Flat soled shoes are required. The club has mallets available to use.
Members are willing to share a lot of their time to show the basics of the game, which can be just for fun or more competitive if you wish.
Croquet is also a non-contact sport, with new members and players welcome at the Drouin club.
The club requests registration for either or both sessions by Thursday, October 11. To register, phone Heather on 0407 821 650 or email drouincroquet@gmail.com.