July Social 2017Monday 26 June
The July social was a croquet evening at Balgreen Croquet Club - Bill Stevenson reports.
ESOC Croquet Squad
Croquet is a game of strategy, tactics and skill – sounds perfect for a group of off-duty orienteers! So Katy Lessells put together a social outing at Balgreen Croquet Club, who welcomed us with equipment and instruction. Fran had signed up 22 players with varying levels of skill.
We had a quick explanation of the game, playing a shortened form with 6 hoops. What could be simpler? The first team to put a ball through the next hoop scored a point and each game would be decided on the first to 4 hoops. Teams of two were chosen and the first shots were played. We soon realised that getting these balls through these narrow hoops was hard enough, without the opposing team placing their balls in the way or knocking ours away. As ever with orienteers, there were a few discussions about rules, resolved by the advisers from Balgreen Club.
There were short breaks taken for tea and cucumber sandwiches, as the teams rotated around. Some stars were emerging in the games. Everybody had some good shots, with Brian Yates putting his ball through the hoop from the far end of the court. As the scores were written up on the board, the leaders were obvious. Katy awarded the prizes, the 1st prize won by Maureen & Tricia with 4 straight wins. Everybody voted this event a great success – perhaps it could be an annual occasion.
Bill (also-ran croqueteer)
| Results | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Wins | Net Points |
| Maureen & Tricia | 4-3 | 4-3 | 4-3 | 4-1 | 4 | +6 |
| Morag & Ewart | 3-4 | 4-2 | 4-1 | 4-3 | 3 | +5 |
| Janice & Brian | 4-3 | 4-3 | 3-4 | 4-3 | 3 | +2 |
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