Marks Park croquet team have a victorious season

The croquet team did well at the South African National Croquet Championships held at the Rondebosch and Kelvin Grove clubs in Cape Town in November last year.

Marks Park Sports Club croquet chairman, Henry Watermeyer said a squad of players from Marks Park was joined by members of The Country Club Johannesburg (CCJ) and from Waterfall, Kyalami. The Marks Park players varied greatly in experience but the results were gratifying.

“Kanakis and Poppy Androlikos, who started playing croquet in February 2017 put up a fantastic performance to win the restricted handicap doubles event. Poppy managed the extremely difficult feat of running two hoops with one shot, not once but twice.

“She also won the restricted handicap singles with Les Weiss of The Country Club Johannesburg, the runner-up. Both play regularly at our club,” said Watermeyer.

He added his team member had fought a difficult semi-finals singles battle with Judith Hanekom of Somerset West, who has represented South Africa many times at top international competitions.

“The South African Singles champion, Victor Dladla of The Country Club Johannesburg retained his title after a fierce battle with Neil McHardy, while Thomas More also of the CCJ was runner-up to Ralph Hanley of East London in the handicap singles. Another tight game that finished 10–9,” said Watermeyer.

Preparations are underway for the Gauteng Provincial Championships due to be played in March. This will be followed by the Alan Wilson in Port Alfred in mid-April and the John Rowlands at Marks Park in early May.

This event is played to a different, fun set of rules and remembers the contribution Rowlands made to Marks Park under its previous name.
Marks Park Sports Club croquet secretary Maria Watermeyer said the club was growing well and welcomed more people to play.

“People from the ages of seven years old to 90 years old can come and join us.”

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