This year the Gateball Doubles event was held before the teams event. There were six pairs competing on Friday 24th June, 2016 which was a very cold and windy day. Balls were moved from their resting position by the wind and the path of the ball was often affected. Most of the scores were not high and only a few points between them.

However, one team won all of their matches. It was the experienced combination of Sandra Reynolds from Toowoomba with Jan Wells from Ipswich. The photo below shows a delighted Jan and Sandra being awarded their badges and prize money by Marion from Michael Hare EyeCare Vision Plus.

Second place went to Lee Wentworth and Bruce McAlister while Keith McLeod and Jim Northcott were in third position.

The Gateball Teams event was held on Saturday with 6 teams competing. The games were played in cool but sunny weather. Plenty of hot and tasty food and drinks supplied by a wonderful group of people at Southport Croquet Club kept everyone happy. The players enjoyed the half hour between the games by sitting in the sunshine.

No team won every game. The Ipswich Snoopy team and Southport Red each had four wins. But, on a countback, Ipswich won the event. Congratulations to this team which halted the chance for Southport to claim their third title in a row. Over the years Ipswich had now had three wins. but never in a sequence. Southport Red was second and Southport White was placed third.

Barbara Northcott