Waterville Lake Croquet Society Golf Croquet Doubles Tournament May 2014.

On a drizzly afternoon members gathered together with a few guests at the idyllic lake site court to contest the doubles plate. The rain saw the surprisingly early exit of the title holders of The Consolation America Doubles, the club secretary Hugh O’Neill and his partner.

The semi finals saw Marian O’Neill and her partner, Josephine Roder Bradshaw, fall to the pairing of Marie-Claire Stacey and Joe C Keating, 7-6. In the finals they met Dr. Ellie O’Sullivan who this year partnered Ann Courtney.

Like both semi finals, the final was a tit for tat battle with neither side never more than 1 point ahead. The 12th hoop was won by Dr Ellie producing a shot that appeared to defy the rules of physics, forcing the game to the 13th hoop. It was here that her partner, Ann Courtney,played a beautiful shot to clench the match. The dreary weather was not reflected in the high spirits of the players with laughter being the backing track to the day’s competition.

Afterwards the players retired to the Bay View Hotel to dry off and celebrate with tea and scones. Social Secretary, Marian O’Neill acted as tournament manager for the day, but the expertise and tutelage of Club President, Leo Dungan, (who was unable to attend due to ill health), was sadly missed. We wish Leo a speedy recovery and hope to see her back in The Kingdom again soon.

Waterville have received an invitation to Herbert Park and hope to be heading to the Big Smoke this summer.