Our first game was played at Forster with 10 players travelling over to compete. For Bev Fagan and Alec Bruce, it was their first competition after having played for only six months. It is a great learning experience playing in competitions.

Play was handicapped singles and doubles. Other players were Brenda Pennicuik, Al Minis, Yvonne Bagnall, Bev Murray, Judy Hopkins, Ken Gosson, Iris Usback and Elaine Leech.

Forster were the winners of the day with 19 games (151 hoops) to five (117 hoops). Eight of the losing games were very close with only one hoop the difference.

A week later another 10 players travelled to Taree to play Port Macquarie.

In doubles, Alec Bruce had two wins from three games 7-4 with Bev Murray and 6-5 with Brenda Pennicuik. Bev Fagan also had two wins from three games 5-4 with Bev Murray and 7-6 with Norma Slade. Elaine Leech and Iris Usback, both playing particularly well, had everyone looking on when they took a very closely contested game to the 13th hoop, unfortunately going down 6-7.

In singles, Al Minis had one win 7-4, Lyn Stewart one win 7-6 while Norma Slade had two wins 7-5, and 7-6 and Ken Gosson also two 7-6 and 7-2. The day resulted in a win to Port Macquarie 14 games to 10. Congratulations to all players and particularly to Norma Slade on a change of handicap from 8 to .

On March 1, Croquet NSW coach Pam Gentle spent a day in Gloucester for a coaching session. Sixteen members availed themselves of this great opportunity which was most beneficial to both new and old players.

Gloucester will host the third Mid North Coast competition against Taree on April 26.

Gloucester Croquet Club runs golf croquet sessions at 8am on Mondays and Fridays and at 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. It also holds an association croquet session on Wednesday at 8am and ricochet on Thursdays at 8am. Anyone interested in getting involved is welcome to come by the club during any of these session times.