On the 29th and 30th June there was a very happy atmosphere at Southport Croquet Club because 8 Gateball Teams and 10 Gateball Doubles Teams were playing in the annual Mallet Sports on the Broadwater. Dodging the showers on the Saturday, all of the games were finished on time and we all stayed dry.

All team members at Southport

One player, Geoff Crook, flew up from Adelaide to participate. Such dedication! He played with the Southport Red Team. The local club also fielded 2 more teams-Southport White and Southport Stripes- while providing 2 players to the Mx ‘N Match Team.  The other teams came from Broadbeach, Caloundra, Pine Rivers and Toowoomba. A very friendly atmosphere was experienced by everyone there and remarked upon by many of the participants. 

There were a few games that were won on a countback and most games were closely contested with no huge difference in scores. By the end of Sunday morning, the teams representing Pine Rivers, Southport Red and Southport Stripes had each won 5 games. With a big number of ‘Net Hoops’, the winning team was Southport Red. The presentation was made by Mr. Hare,  son of the Sponsor of Southport CC- Vision Michael Hare Eye Care and Optometrist.

Southport Red wins the MSOB Gateball Tournament

It was good news for the team from Pine Rivers Croquet Club whose team made its first appearance at the MSOB Gateball Tournament. We hope to see them return next year even more competitive after they gain experience playing together. 

Second Place went to Pine Rivers Croquet Club

Southport Stripes came third

In third place was the Southport Stripes team made up of mostly newer players to the game but who play other codes of croquet.