It was a photo finish in Croquet NSW’s doubles event with Lloyd and Tawa winning by just two net hoops ahead of runners-up Marie and Bill Munns from Toronto Croquet Club. 

The NSW Handicap Doubles, open to all players across NSW, was hosted by Forster Croquet Club between September 19 and 20.

Participants hailed from as far south as Canberra and Sydney, plus the Hunter and North Coast areas.

Immediately following the doubles win with her partner of three years, Tawa played her way to a third placing in the NSW Handicap Singles.

Tawa and Lloyd have won many club level competitions across the Hunter and North Coast and competed in other state championships but the Foster doubles event was the pair’s first state title win.

Trevor Black, the games captain of Nelson Bay Croquet Club, said it was a significant and well-earned win.

“Sandy and Cheryl are talented croquet players who combine well as a pair and have an excellent understanding of the tactics of the game,” he said.

Tawa was introduced to the game by Margaret Thompson, a founding and life member of the Bay club, five years ago which was about the same time Lloyd was introduced to the sport by long-time club member and coach Susan Timbs.