By John Thomson
The South East Metropolitan Croquet Autumn competition season hit off on Monday 24 February. There will be six clubs in the competition this season, Mornington, Sandringham, Monash, Ringwood, Kew and Lilydale.
This season the Lilydale Croquet Club will again be fielding a team in all three competitions, Division 1 Level Play, Division 2 Level Play and Handicap Play.
The Division 1 team consists of Craig McCracken (captain), Murray Howlett and John Thomson as emergency. This team finished third last season so they will be looking to progress up the ladder this season.
The Division 2 team is Alan Jones (captain), Kerri McCracken and Mick Crawley. After finishing on top last season, their aim this season is to go back-to-back.
The Handicap team is Murray Howlett (captain), Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken, Murray McLean, Drew Pawley, Mark Edgell and Graham Rhodes emergency. Last season the handicap team finished on top not losing a game so they will be trying to replicate that again.
The Division 1 team played on Monday 24 February and were hosting the Monash Club. Lilydale’s team was Craig McCracken and John Thomson, filling in for Murray Howlett who was away on holiday.
The first game played was the doubles. Lilydale started well and after the first four hoops were 3 hoops to 1 up, then Monash came back and levelled at 4 all then Monash took the lead to 6 hoops to 4 only to see Lilydale come back again and level at 6 hoops all, so it was the 13 and deciding hoop to play. Monash were able to place one of their balls in the hoop, Lilydale unfortunately missed a crucial jump shot and Monash went on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
Craig McCracken played in the first singles game. Monash got off to a reasonable start get a couple of hoops break with Craig fighting back but the Monash player was just able to hang on and win in a close game 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
In the next singles, John Thomson played. This game seemed like a game of mistakes with both players missing hoops they would normally get. After twelve hoops the score was 6 hoops a piece, so it was again off to the 13th hoop to decide the winner. Again, both players had their chance of winning the game but in the end, it was the Monash player who was able to run the hoop to win the game. Monash 7 hoops Lilydale 6 hoops.
At Lunch, the score was Monash 3 games 21 hoops to Lilydale 0 games 17 hoops. With just two singles games to be played Monash had won the day.
Craig McCracken played in the next singles game. The Monash player was playing well, Craig was trying all he could but the more experienced Monash player was able to hold his lead and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops. John Thomson played in the last singles of the day. This game was close all the way as both players were going hoop for hoop. Towards the end, John was able to get a slight break and go on and win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops. The final score was Monash 4 games 33 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 28 hoops.
Lilydale just needs to be able to win those close 7/6 games and they will be more competitive during the season.
The Lilydale Division 2 team this week had a bye so they will play at Kew next week.
The Handicap players start their season next Thursday 6 March and Lilydale will be at home to the Monash Croquet Club.
