CROQUET NEWS:  John Riches at Maui Croquet Club Won by Paul Billings

26 September - 8 October 2006
Waipuilani Park, Kihei, HI, USA
The Lodge at Koele, Lanai City, HI, USA
by Leo Nikora

Paul Billings wins the John Riches at Maui Croquet Club tournament.

The John Riches at Maui Croquet Club tournament was won by Paul Billings. Leo Nikora came in second. The player of honor, John Riches, came in third.

John Riches of Enfield, SA, Australia, visited the Maui Croquet Club, and played six members at two venues. John played four Maui members on the club's three-quarter sized home court at Waipuilani Park, and two Lanai members on the full-sized championship court at The Lodge at Koele. John won four of his six games.

Bruno Amby, Paul Billings, Larry Icalla, Dick Karr, Leo Nikora, and Tim Wheeler played for the Maui Croquet Club. In addition to playing John Riches, these six club members played as many of the other members as time permitted. Paul Billings won all his four games, including his game with John.

The tournament was sanctioned by the United States Croquet Association. Advanced International Rules were followed in two-hour games. Sunshiny balls were used. The tournament director was Leo Nikora. Since all players did not play an equal number of games, the results were determined by percentage of games won, and then by the net points per game.

In addition to playing in the tournament, John Riches also spent additional time coaching each member of the Maui Croquet Club. Club members learned a lot from John, and thank him very much for helping them.

During the tournament, a party was held at the Billings' home. The Maui Croquet Club members and their wives got to know John and Christine Riches better. Now club members all want to visit Australia.

Pictures of the tournament can be found at the Maui Croquet Club Gallery of Events.

Player	John	Leo	Paul	Bruno	Larry	Tim	Dick	Wins/Game	Net/Game
John Riches	3rd			20-18	26-9	20-5	26-3	67% (4/6)	+4.67 (+28/6)
Leo Nikora	26-8	2nd			18-11	26-0	26tp-0	67% (4/6)	+8.00 (+48/6)
Paul Billings	19-6	22-11	1st			26-6	26-3	100% (4/4)
Bruno Amby		26-10		4th				50% (1/2)
Larry Icalla					6th			0% (0/2)	–12.0 (–24/2)
Tim Wheeler						7th		0% (0/4)	–15.5 (–62/4)
Dick Karr						14-12	5th	25% (1/4)