By John Thomson
On Monday 21 October, Lilydale hosted the Sandringham Division 1 team.
A bit of early morning dew on the court but all in all a perfect day for croquet.
Lilydales team this week consisted of Murray Howlett and Craig McCracken.
In the doubles the Sandringham team started well and did not let the Lilydale boys get into the game at all. Sandringham 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops. Was this going to be the pattern for the day?
Murray played in the first of the singles games. This game was tight early then Murray started to get on top and controlled the area around the hoops and went on to win 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops.
Craig played in the next game. This was almost a carbon copy of the first game with Craig eventually getting on top and winning 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops.
At the lunch break the scores were Lilydale 2 games 17 hoops to Sandringham 1 game 15 hoops. With 2 games to play either team could still win the day.
Craig played in the first singles after lunch. This game was going hoop for hoop and then a missed hoop by Craig let in his opponent and Sandringham won the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Both teams were now even on 2 games a piece and both teams on 22 hoops a piece, so it was all down to who could win the last game.
Murray played in the last game. Murray got off to a great start and his experience and skill really was on show. Murray went on to have a comfortable win 7 hoops to Sandringham 1 hoop.
This win gave Lilydale the win on the day 3 games 29 hoops to Sandringham 2 games 23 hoops.
In Division 2 this week Lilydale made the journey to Sandringham to play their Division 2 team.
Lilydales team this week is Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Michael Crawley.
Alan and Michael paired up in the doubles. This was a tight struggle all the way with both teams running some nice hoops while other times mistakes were made. After the 12th hoop had been played it was six hoops each, so the 13th and deciding hoop had to be played. Both teams set up well but it was the Sandringham team that was able to run the hoop to win the game, 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
Kerri played in the first singles game. This game was also close with both players going hoop for hoop, and after the 12th hoop it was six hoops each, again, it was the 13th hoop that would decide the game, and again, it was Sandringham that was able to run the hoop and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
Michael played the next singles game. Michael’s game is improving all the time and, in this game, he dominated right from the first stroke and hardly gave his opponent a look in. Michael went on to win 7 hoops to Sandringham 1 hoop.
At the break it was Sandringham 2 games 15 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 19 hoops. With two games to play the final result was evenly poised.
Kerri played in the next singles game. Kerri started well and had the first couple of hoops before Sandringham got on the board, from then on Kerri was able to hold her lead and go on to win 7 hoops to Sandringham 4 hoops.
This win by Lilydale put both teams on two wins each with Lilydale on 26 hoops and Sandringham 19 hoops. The last game would decide the winner on the day.
Alan played in the last game. The game was close as the final result hung on the outcome of this game. Late in the game a missed hoop by Lilydale gave Sandringham the advantage and they were able to go on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
The final scores were Sandringham 3 games 26 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 31 hoops. It is not often that the losing side wins more hoops than the winning side, that is how close this game was.
This week’s Handicap team also travelled to Sandringham. These two teams sat first and second on the ladder with Lilydale on top, so it was all set up for a close day.
Lilydale’s team was unchanged from last week with Murray Howlett, Michael Crawley, Kerri McCracken and Colleen Howlett.
Michael played in the first singles. The Sandringham player was starting with a one hoop advantage. Michael started a little slowly, maybe it was the long trip to Sandringham. Michael started to settle into the game and made up a bit of ground but that one hoop start that Sandringham had was all they needed to go on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Murray and Kerri played in the first doubles. Again, Sandringham started with a one hoop advantage. Lilydale got off to a great start and had soon made up that one hoop and then controlled the game to go on and win 7 hoops to Sandringham 3 hoops.
Kerri played in the next singles. Both players were on the same handicap so this was just a level play game. As you would expect this game was close for most of the game until the Sandringham player made a couple of errors which allowed Lilydale to capitalise on this a win the game 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops.
In the next doubles Michael and Colleen teamed up. Lilydale were starting with a one hoop disadvantage. Lilydale struggled in this game and the Sandringham team was able to take advantage of this and go on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
At the Lunch break the scores were Sandringham 2 games 22 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 23 hoops. With Lilydale in front by only 1 hoop, as expected this match was going down to the wire.
Michael played in the first game after lunch. Michael was starting with a 2 hoop disadvantage. Michael was working hard but that two hoop disadvantage was difficult to make up, Sandringham 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
This gave Sandringham a 1 game and 2 hoop lead so it was down to the last game to see who would have bragging rights on the day.
The last game was a doubles, with Murray and Kerri pairing up. Lilydale were starting with a 2 hoop disadvantage and Sandringham had a 1 hoop advantage, this was going to be tough for Lilydale to make up, the pressure was on. Lilydale started well and had soon made up that 2 hoop disadvantage, but Sandringham still had a 1 hoop advantage. The Lilydale pair were combining well and eventually worked their way into the lead and went on to win 7 hoops to Sandringham 5 hoops.
All players were racing for their calculators to try and work out the final scores.
Final scores, Sandringham 3 games 34 hoops to Lilydale 3 games 34 hoops, a draw. This win keeps Lilydale on top of the Handicap ladder, they are 2 tests, 8 games and 39 hoops in front of Sandringham with three weeks to play.
