Time off the court has done little to slow Sandy Tawa down with the Nelson Bay croquet champion securing two top level wins since the resumption of competitions.
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Following the COVID-19 shutdown to group sport and leisure activities earlier in the year, Nelson Bay Croquet Club members resumed play in June and competitions in July with Tawa quickly picking up NSW championship and NSW Bronze Brooch wins.
Tawa was one of six Nelson Bay Croquet Club members that contested the NSW Bronze Brooch - for NSW players with a handicap between seven and 10 - at Cheltenham Croquet Club between August 10-12.
After going through the competition undefeated, Tawa won the brooch. She won 10 games in the qualifying round robin before beating Penny Paterson from Mosman Croquet Club 7-5 in the semi-final and Dianne Bonnitcha from Sutherland Croquet Club 7-5 in the final.
It follows Tawa's win at the NSW GC Women's Open Singles Championship in Tempe on July 18-20. Tawa won the plate after beating Jill Sullivan from Sutherland Croquet Club 7-1 7-3 and Karen Bisley from Canberra Croquet Club 7-5 4-7 7-2.
Tawa was joined in Tempe by fellow Nelson Bay club member plus doubles partner Cheryl Lloyd (together the pair won a state title in 2018) and associate member Pamela Barnwell. Lloyd and Barnwell qualified for the final play-off. Lloyd lost to eventual winner Alison Sharpe of Killara Croquet Club 3-7 1-7 while Barnwell lost to Rosalyn Johnstone of Sutherland Croquet Club 7-0 6-7 4-7.
In the NSW GC Division Three Singles competition held at Mosman Croquet Club July 17-19, Nelson Bay was represented by Liz Friend and Barry Elliott. Friend finished third with nine wins from 12 games. The pair also represented Nelson Bay in the NSW GC Division Three Doubles at Mosman on July 15-16. Friend and Elliott finished runners-up after losing the final to Wendy Herbert and Malcolm Powys of Marrickville Croquet Club 3-6 (timed game).
Nelson Bay associate member Derek Bull retained the NSW GC Men's Open Singles Championship. Bull beat John Levick from Newcastle National Park Croquet Club in the final 7-1 4-7 7-4.
